We took off early in the day for a trip to Trollstigen and Geiranger Fjord. We meandered up Highway 60 along side Storfjord (big fjord) toward the city of Åndalsnes - a railhead for passengers and freight from eastern Norway.
The day was magnificent with sunshine that felt warm.
These Lupin-like wild flowers were along side most of the roads. They were in pastel hues of blue, lavender, pink, and white. Of course I did not capture them very well.
We wound up the valley/fjord through thick forests and then as we started to climb Storfjell (big mountain) the trees thinned out.
We got the feeling that they might get a little snow here as we followed the snow markers up the steep grade.
Almost at the top we had a panorama of the Alpine elevation and what was left of last winter.
Our destination was just over that last hill - the Troll's Ladder highway.
Olav Nordman has built a great parking area with shops and an overlook.
The guys were still working on the gangway that leads to the overlook. Norwegian construction workers wear what at first blush appears to be "firefighter's turnouts" as everyday workwear. In fact when we first got here I wondered why there were so many firefighters hanging out at the mall. Everybody who works a maintenance or construction type job dresses like this.
They outdid themselves on this overlook. It is fantastic unless you have trouble with acrophobia.
We joined busloads of other sightseers for a peek over the edge.
Hairpin turns and 10% grades will get you up or down the Trollstigen.
The waterfall/river runs right along side the road.
It was cold enough up at the top to break out the jackets.
At the far end of the valley after umpty-ump hairpin turns lies Åndalsnes. We headed back the other way. I had already negotiated too many hairpin curves and we wanted to see Geiranger Fjord. We needed to backtrack and cross over Storfjord.
We caught yet another ferry at Linge for the short trip across the fjord. (note the ferry toll takers-traffic directors in their saftey workman pants)
The road that leads over the mountain to Geiranger fjord winds past this little lake which reflected the beauty of the day.
Our first view of Geiranger fjord was also a staging area for wood and materials bound for cabins that are under construction in the mountains across the way. The roads on the other side are not wide enough for big delivery trucks...
...so the helicopter delivers the materials.
The last little bit of this fjord is amazingly beautiful.
On the far right hand side is Seven Sisters waterfall.
We thought we would stand here in the middle.
To the left is Geiranger - crowded to overflowing with tourists from all the cruise ships, ferries, busses and automobiles that deliver them all day long.
There are also RV parks and camping grounds that are packed with people from all over the world. The little boat in the middle of the fjord is the car\passenger ferry that runs to and from Hellesylt all day long.
1,000,000 Dollar View
Sometimes you just get lucky and visit a place you have always wanted to experience on what can only be described as the perfect day.
Wow, what a trip. Such amazing fjords! And I feel like I was right there with you. Thanks for sharing all of your photos. You an mom really lucked out (perfect day).
ReplyDeleteI have to add that I dig the construction worker uniforms. Tyler says it beats the Spanish construction worker uniform (flip flops, cut-off jeans, no shirt and a hardhat [maybe]).
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