travel Archives - Nine Years in Norway

daydreaming of lazy days in Spain

September 8, 2015 by Cindi 11 Comments

Early this year during the dreary month of February, I shared a post remembering Spain’s summer light. Our week there in August 2014 was warm and relaxing, and I’m glad I have those memories … especially as it’s been a cool and rainy summer in this part of the world.

The Summer of 2015 didn’t offer too many warm enough days to comfortably spend out on my bench listening to the sounds of the boats on the fjord below me and the seagulls in the air above. And with this late-arriving and cool summer, the area birds have had difficulties finding food, and those at our feeder are a little more intense and frantic to gather seed. While sitting on my bench watching them for a few chilly moments recently, I started daydreaming of the warm, relaxing hours in the outdoor living room of our friend’s Spanish home, many of those hours spent watching Marbella’s birds riding the winds in the sky above me …

… or perched on a far-off tree, outdoor furniture, or just above me on our rooftop …

… or flying along the Mediterranean, in the same area where I’d earlier spent some time with Salvador Dalí …

The photos of dots in the sky aren’t very clear of individual birds … but looking at them helps me recapture the feeling of space, light, and warmth. Daydreaming of balmy temperatures and sunshine filled skies: You’ve been missed this year!

A few hours in Denver

September 1, 2015 by Cindi 8 Comments

I saw several new places while visiting Colorado in June, and enjoyed a couple of them quite a bit. And another favorite activity happened the day I left: I walked around the Union Station area of Denver for hours before my Amtrak train trip back to Ottumwa.

I live in such a remote area of Norway, it was nice to soak up the sounds and activity of a busy metropolitan city!

After dropping off my luggage at the Amtrak counter …

… and a 30 minutes stroll around the streets in front of Union Station, I decided it was time to sit outside with a bit of refreshment and absorb the sounds of the area. The Thirsty Lion suited that need quite well.

Refreshed, I headed out for a larger loop around the area. Even with only a few blocks of this busy city being explored, I saw plenty of planning that makes nature accessible, from walking paths using railroad bridges over the South Platte River …

… to a section of the 17.8 mile South Platte River Trail …

… to sculptures and greenery that add interest to the scenery …

There were historical buildings, shops and streets …

… and signs that require no additional comment 😉 …

… and finally, a stroll to Coors Field. It was so quiet, almost eerily so. In the quiet, the remembered sounds of the crack of a bat and a crowds’ roar echoed — the result of so many memories of baseball games seen at Wrigley Field, Citi Field, Turner Field Citizen Bank Park, and Camden Yards!

The weather was threatening all day (in fact, it rained so much that night my daughter’s basement flooded), and I stayed within a few blocks of Union Station and its protection from the elements. Through my loops through the area, the inside of Union Station was my place to sit, grab a cup of coffee, people watch, admire the architecture …

… and then go out and explore a little more.

All of this was with the faint backdrop of the Rocky Mountains blending with the cloudy sky of this Mile High city.

And then it was time to go out and wait for the arrival of my train back to Ottumwa. Standing on the platform, I admired the curves of the outside architecture one more time …

It was a wonderful way to say goodbye to Colorado … and I’ll be seeing it again soon! Details to come. 🙂

A tourist in Colorado

August 25, 2015 by Cindi 14 Comments

My trip to Colorado in June was to see my daughters … but it was fun to explore a new part of the world and be a tourist!

My second day there we drove through Manitou Springs and Old Colorado City in the foothills of the Rockies, people-watching and giving me an overview of the area. The next week we stopped in Manitou Springs at the Manitou Brewing Co. after our trip to Garden of the Gods … remember this photo? 🙂

… and then walked around a bit after our refreshment.

With Pikes Peak and the Manitou Incline rising in the background, there’s a sense of permanence and presence as you approach Manitou Springs.

A little about Manitou Springs from Wikipedia:

The City of Manitou Springs is … located in El Paso County, Colorado … founded for its scenic setting and natural mineral springs. The downtown area continues to be of interest to travelers, particularly in the summer, as [it] consists of many one-story, adjoining, small shops, restaurants, and pubs … Among other services, shops cater to tourist interests such as clothing, candy, souvenirs, and outdoor recreation. The main road through the center of town was one of the direct paths to the base of Pikes Peak.

… and from a historical marker in Manitou Springs about their Healing Waters:

Manitou’s mineral springs have been appreciated for their healthful benefits throughout history. For centuries, Native peoples revered the effervescent waters. They used the mineral water to calm stomachs, soothe skin problems, and as a tonic for other ailments. In the Victorian era when diseases like tuberculosis were rampant, spas and health resorts became popular as a way for people to escape the cities and find fresh air and curative waters … Each spring has different amounts of mineral content and natural carbonation and was prescribed by doctors for ailments such as liver and kidney disease and digestive disorders.

A little about Old Colorado City:

Old Colorado City … is a national historic district in the city of Colorado Springs. [It] was founded [in] 1859, when the Colorado Town Company … envisioned that Colorado City would be a major supply hub via Ute Pass for the new gold mines in South Park and the Blue River, where major strikes in the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush had recently been made … [Today] Old Colorado City has a shopping district featuring dozens of independently owned art galleries, boutiques, restaurants and special attractions.

Favorite photos from our visit to Old Colorado City:

2South Wine Bar

And how about ending with something fun I saw in Manitou Springs?

Who you gonna call?

Garden of the Gods

July 19, 2015 by Cindi 20 Comments

The focus of my recent visit to the States was, of course, to see family … but in doing so, I also traveled to parts of my country that I hadn’t been to before. Colorado was one such place, and I was there just long enough to see a few highlights while also spending time with my daughters.

You know that I live in a mountainous area here in Norway; I was eager to see a different type of mountain. The foothills of the Rockies delivered, especially when we visited The Garden of the Gods. It is a perfect name. I felt as if we were driving through a giant garden, with interesting rocks and formations growing out of the soil. From Wikipedia:

The Garden of the Gods red rock formations were created during a geological upheaval along a natural fault line millions of years ago … The outstanding geologic features of the park are the ancient sedimentary beds of deep-red, pink and white sandstones, conglomerates and limestone that were deposited horizontally, but have now been tilted vertically and faulted by the immense mountain building forces caused by the uplift of the Rocky Mountains.

Then first formation you encounter when entering the park is Steamboat Rock and Balanced Rock. A full perspective from a short distance away is here; the photos below are my views from closer to the formations. My legs won’t let me climb up, but the affect of *looking* up at the people who were crawling around was interesting!

cindi-keller_2015-06-13_12.28.03_garden-of-the-gods

We got back in the car and drove towards our next stop. Looking out the car windows, I experienced that impression I mentioned earlier: a huge garden of rocks sprouting up out of the ground. Out one window, the backdrop of Pikes Peak was rising in the distance:

Our next stop was another well-known area, a hogback formation with the Kissing Camels boulders. We got out and walked a bit here. The “camels” above us and the texture beside us were intriguing. The graffiti etched into the stone was frustrating to see. And the warnings of rattlesnakes off the trail weren’t really needed for this traveler!

We stopped to rest in a shady area out of the hot sun for a bit, and absorb the generosity of the gift of this park to Colorado City in 1903 “… by the children of Charles Elliott Perkins in fulfillment of his wish that it be kept forever free to the public”:

Time to get back in the car for the trip home, with one last shot out the window:

But first, a stop for a little liquid refreshment at at the Manitou Brewing Co. in nearby Manitou Springs:

The perfect end to a delightful trip. 🙂

Planes, Trains & Automobiles

June 11, 2015 by Cindi 12 Comments

“Planes, Trains & Automobiles!” No, not the movie … but a pretty good description of my last month!

A plane flight from Norway to Iowa (with my luggage catching up with me three days later).

A short lunch train trip in historic Boone, Iowa.

May 20, 2015 - planes, trains & automobiles

cindi-keller_2015-05-20_11.57.15_planes-trains-automobiles

cindi-keller_2015-05-20_12.10.11_planes-trains-automobiles

A longer overnight Amtrak train trip through Iowa, Nebraska, and Colorado.

Ottumwa, Iowa train station

An Iowa sunset

Hello, Omaha!

Nebraska farming

Somewhere in eastern Colorado

Pulling into Denver; lots of rain has made the rivers a little treacherous!

Colorado Rockies stadium!

And many automobile trips, both local and long distance. This collection shares the highlights of my first few (cloudy) days in Colorado.

Union Station in Denver

Arriving in Colorado Springs!

The Air Force Academy

Pikes Peak

Looking back at the foothills in my daughter’s side view mirror

I love taking in the scenery around me. But the best part of this trip is, of course, the family connections — especially time spent with these three!

Norway, skiing, and Holmenkollen

March 1, 2015 by Cindi 31 Comments

The 2015 Nordic World Ski Championships in Falun, Sweden are ending today. They’ve showcased the best of cross country and ski jumping athletes. I’m not glued to the TV, but these past few days whenever I hear the announcers’ voices getting excited — and my husband’s cheering — I get myself out to watch the finish of a race!

My one time to try skiing years ago was cross-country. I loved it! I’ve enjoyed watching cross-country skiing since then, and have especially appreciated the true athletisism and dedication of the Norwegian skiers over the past eight years I’ve lived here.

But watching the ski jumpers yesterday (when Norway won their 10th gold medal of this championship) — especially from the perspective of the camera set just behind each skiier as they waiting to go down the slope and fly through the air — made me shudder with nervousness, and it made me remember my first trip to Norway in May/June 2006 when Jan lived in Oslo. We drove up to Holmenkollen and, although there was no snow at that time of year, I was introduced to the outdoor mindset of the Norwegian culture.

I remember being fascinated by the grass roofs, decorations, and architecture of the buildings. Since then, those aspects of Norway’s architecture have become familiar to me. But I don’t think I’ll ever get used to seeing those place filled to capacity with Norwegian fans packed together, keeping warm with their Janus wool and outwear, cheering on whichever competitor is the best. Whether the winner is Norwegian or not, they respect the athletisism and dedication it took to get to the top of the competitors’ heap!

Between 2008 and 2010, the entire structure of Holmenkollen was demolished and rebuilt … but here’s what it looked like a few years before that.

June 2006 - Holmenkollen in Oslo, Norway

What’s your experience with winter skiing: A cross-country experience? Alpine or ski-jumping at speeds that make me dizzy? Or cheering on the athletes from the warmth of a living room sofa? 🙂

daydreaming of Spain’s summer light

February 17, 2015 by Cindi 22 Comments

After several days of beautiful yet cold sunshine, it turned dreary/rainy/windy/blah outside again today. To distract myself, I think it’s time to daydream of the summer light and warmth of our August trip to Spain. Although mountain views were familiar, the light and colors were completely different compared to our everyday views.

The bright daylight of the sun directly overhead was almost too intense.

August 10, 2014, 4:52 pm - Spanish summer light

August 13, 2014, 8:56 am - Spanish summer light

August 13, 2014, 9:12 am - Spanish summer light

August 13, 2014, 6:08 pm - Spanish summer light

August 13, 2014, 6:10 pm - Spanish summer light

August 11, 2014, 5:01 pm - Spanish summer light

The warm, lingering evenings spent sitting out listening to the night sounds, with the only light coming from the setting sun/rising moon or the man-made reflected light from pool and patio lights were magical. (Well, except for that one accidental camera flash … but I liked the result, so decided that image can be included in the “magical” collection, too! 🙂 ).

August 110, 2014, 9:15 pm - Spanish summer light

August 15, 2014, 9:12 pm - Spanish summer light

August 12, 2014, 10:03 pm - Spanish summer light

August 12, 2014, 10:05 pm - Spanish summer light

August 14, 2014, 10:09 pm - Spanish summer light

The red reflected light of the strong summer sun through our restaurant’s table umbrella at lunch was cool and inviting.

After a lazy week of sleeping late and “morning” coffee under the mid-day skies, our last morning was an earlier one before the taxi picked us up for our trip to the airport. The morning sunrise and light were the perfect ending to a perfect week.

August 16, 2014, 7:44 am - Spanish summer light

August 16, 2014, 7:45 am - Spanish summer light

August 16, 2014, 7:50 am - Spanish summer light

Ah, that was refreshing. I’d forgotten how the changing light of the different times of the constant sunny days made for interesting and diverse photographs!

Now it’s time to get back to the rainy/no-snow blah-reality of this 2014-2015 winter in the Bergen area. How’s the light in *your* part of the world?

“…leaving on a jet plane…”

November 10, 2014 by Cindi Leave a Comment

I’m taking a blogging break for about a month — for a good reason! Tomorrow I fly to the middle of the U.S. to spend time with my Dad in Ottumwa, Iowa. My brothers and their families will be around, and both my daughters are able to visit too, traveling from Maryland and Colorado for some of the time I’m going to be there. I haven’t seen the two of them at the same time in four years, and it will be so wonderful for all of us to spend time with my Dad.

I thought it would be appropriate to say goodbye with a photo I took out our plane window as Jan and I began our journey to Spain in August. There’s not much sunshine in the Bergen area lately to cast a “plane shadow” as I depart tomorrow, but the happiness and excitement radiating from me as I begin my journey to see my U.S. family will more than make up for it!

jet plane shadow, taking off from Bergen

All my bags are packed
I’m ready to go …
I’m leaving on a jet plane!