EUROPEAN RELOCATION: FLAM, NORWAY

WE HAD AN EXPECTED 4 HOUR DRIVE AHEAD OF US WHEN WE LEFT LILLEHAMMER ON THURSDAY. THE PLAN WAS AT THE END OF THE ROUTE WE TAKE A 12 MILE TUNNEL WHICH DUMPS YOU RIGHT NEAR FLAM. THE TUNNEL ENTRANCE WAS JUST BEYOND A TRAFFIC CIRCLE. AS WE DROVE AROUND THE CIRCLE TO THE 2ND EXIT, WE SEE A HUGE SIGN, WRITTEN IN NORWEGIAN WHICH LOOKED A BIT FOREBODING. WE DID RECOGNIZE ONE WORD, HOWEVER, "CLOSED". (MORE ON THIS LATER). LUCKILY I HAD AN OLD-FASHIONED PAPER MAP AND WE CONTINUED BACK AROUND THE CIRCLE AND CONTINUED ON THE SAME ROAD NORTH WHERE WE CAME TO A ROAD THAT WOULD TAKE US OVER THE MOUNTAINS THAT THE TUNNEL CUT THROUGH. WELL, IT MAY HAVE ADDED ABOUT AN HOUR TO OUR TRIP BUT IT WAS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL SURPRISE!! ALL THIS FANTASTIC SCENERY WOULD HAVE BEEN MISSED IF WE HAD GONE INTO THE LONG DARK TUNNEL. BRIAN DROVE THIS PART OF THE TRIP AND I THINK HE HAD FUN ON THE WINDING ROAD WITH HAIRPIN TURNS. PLUS HE WAS VERY ACCOMMODATING TO HIS MOM WHO WANTED TO STOP EVERY 50 YARDS FOR ANOTHER PICTURE.

COMMON SIGHT ON THE ROADS OF NORWAY

NEVER PASS UP AN OPPORTUNITY TO THROW ROCKS!!

I LOOKED UP SOME FACTS ABOUT FLAM, NORWAY AND THE NAME FLAM MEANS SMALL MEADOW SURROUNDED BY STEEP MOUNTAINS. ALTHOUGH THE MEADOW MAY NOT BE AS APPARENT THE STEEP MOUNTAINS ARE VERY MUCH STILL THERE. I CAN IMAGINE WHAT IT MUST HAVE LOOKED LIKE BACK IN THE EARLY 1900s WHEN OUTSIDERS FIRST STARTED VISITING ON A REGULAR BASIS. THOSE EARLY VISITORS LAID THE FOUNDATIONS FOR THE HOTELS IN TOWN TODAY, INCLUDING THE FRETHEIM HOTEL WHICH IS WHERE WE STAYED. THE TOWN OF FLAM IS NOT MUCH TO SEE. 450 RESIDENTS, A FEW HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, A SMALL GROCERY STORE AND POST OFFICE AND SEVERAL GIFT SHOPS. THERE IS A NEW CRUISE SHIP DOCKED EVERY DAY (EXCEPT TWO) EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR. AND THERE ARE BUSLOADS OF TOUR GROUPS. WITH SO LITTLE TO DO IN TOWN YOU MIGHT WONDER WHY THEY FLOOD TO FLAM. THEY TAKE THE SCENIC RAILWAY OR THEY DO SOME HIKING, KAYAKING, BIKING OR FJORD TOURS. THE MOST POPULAR ACTIVITY DEFINITELY SEEMS TO BE THE TRAIN RIDE.

OUR CABIN IN FLAM. NICE PLACE BUT LOW CEILINGS BETWEEN ROOMS - AS RANDY FOUND OUT MORE TIMES THAN HE WOULD CARE TO MENTION.

HERE IS YOUR BOAT, SIS!

SCENIC TRAIN TO MYRDAL WHERE YOU CAN CONNECT WITH THE SCENIC RAILWAY THAT RUNS BETWEEN OSLO AND BERGEN.

FRETHEIM HOTEL.

YOU CAN SEE 5 BUSES ON THE LEFT BUT THEN THERE ARE AT LEAST 12 BEYOND THE FERRY.

GETTING READY FOR KAYAKING

GREAT VIEW OF THE FJORD! 3 HOURS OF KAYAKING ON A GORGEOUS DAY!

A SMALL VILLAGE CALLED UNDREDAL. POPULATION: 100 PEOPLE/500 GOATS; THEY ARE FAMOUS FOR THEIR BROWN GOAT CHEESE. IT'S DELICIOUS.

THIS FARM HAS BEEN THERE A VERY LONG TIME AND THEY USED TO GET THEIR SUPPLIES BY BOAT AND THEN THEY USED DONKEY; STILL NO ACCESS BY ROAD - THEY GET THEIR SUPPLIES A BIT DIFFERENTLY NOW. SEE BELOW.