Took a road trip down the west shore of Loch Ness to a small farm. We had coffee and scones then fed the Highland Cattle (hairy coos) some snacks.
Drove to Fort Augustus, covered up with tourists in buses, nowhere to park. Traveled up the east side back toward Inverness. Single lane road with turn outs for on coming traffic. Nice scenery and terrain.
Back to Nass Station, short walk around the city in the evening. Then in for the night.
Good rest after a long day of travel yesterday. Walked to a market in downtown Inverness a few blocks from our apartment. Picked up some ground coffee for the French Press, cream, butter, eggs, a fresh loaf of sourdough, a small loaf of cranberry pecan bread and some assorted scone / pastry. We had a nice breakfast and are gearing up to explore the city.
I am planning to spend the morning at Grahams of Inverness, a sporting store recommended by Roger from WTA. The hunting outfitters who arranged the stag hunt. Secured some nice kit with help from Nan, Jemi and Julie from Grahams.
Had some Cullen Skink and Lentil Soup at McGregors. Visited Leakey’s Books, then got a coffee and scone at Paulo’s.
Later, Jemi and I walked to McLeods Chippy for fish supper. We stood next to the bridge over River Ness and ate our fried haddock and chips. Back to Ness Station for the night..
It is our final morning in Norway. Having breakfast at the grand buffet in our hotel. An amazing spread included with our stay. Up early for a workout in the hotel gym. Our flight is at 11:20 on Norwegian Air. Through security at OSL, sitting at gate F15 waiting for flight.
Landed in Edinburgh, got our Peugeot and headed north. Stopped for some lunch in the town of Pitlochry about half way.
Arrived in Inverness at 5:30. Got settled in to our VRBO and walked to Aldi for supplies the back to our unit. Long travel day.
Platform 5 station E began our morning aboard the Nord Train south. Departure at 9:52, we wind out of Trondheim. Later paralleling the Gaula River to the village of Soren where the Sokna River joins. We turn south and follow the drainage up into evergreen forests toward a mountain pass near the town of Berkak. Over the pass and down the other side toward Lillehammer. A large powerful glacier colored river flowing into two large lakes.
We arrived at the Oslo Airport and caught a ride to our hotel at around 5:30 PM. Dinner at another Indian Food establishment, it was the most closed looking place that we have ever seen. We expected the door to be locked and spiderwebs and dust to be what we found. Instead, the lights were on, other guests dining and we had a great meal. Calling it a night.
Friday: Woke this morning as the ship finished the route to Trondheim. Had another nice Norwegian breakfast on ship with the cold food buffet, bread, meat and cheese. Cured fish and vegetables followed by ordering from a hot menu. Eggs, meatballs, bacon and scandi style pancakes.
Cleared off ship at 9:45, Uber to our VRBO rental. Host Morten allowed us to get in early. Walked to nearby shopping for supplies. Found a nice french bakery for coffee and pastries. Stayed in and binge watched Schitts Creek.
Saturday: Franske Nytelser Bakery for coffee, uber to downtown Trondheim in the middle of 14,000 marathoners to Nidaros Cathedral. Awe inspiring structure built over hundreds of years beginning 1070.
Walked around, at 3 dinner at an Indian Restaurant near the harbor. Very good! Uber back to apartment in for the night.
5 AM, ship is quiet. Cloudy and gray morning, the sun rises and the ship parallels a series of islands. A morning workout then breakfast. We arrived at Ålesund mid-morning. Ship turned up the Nordangsfjorden then anchored off of the village of Urke. A tender craft carried us to land. As we exited the tender the captain informed us that the Norwegian Royal Yacht carrying the Queen, King or both had passed by on way to anchor at the fjordland head.
We walked around the secluded peaceful village of Urke in the alternating rain followed by bright sun. It was fun to imagine a lifestyle that simple and secluded still exists. The locals didn’t seem all that thrilled with the tourists wandering about. Can’t say that I blame them.
Back on ship, we were served lunch and dinner at table 47 joined by a son and father on holiday from Vienna and Tyrol, Austria. The conversation was interesting and enjoyable .
We wound down the evening playing a hand of rummy at the ship bow lounge before turning in for the night..
Up at 4:45 this morning, gym and sauna. Coffee in the lobby. Went back up the mountain to fish again. Caught one more brown trout. Lots of people visiting from MSC Cruise Ship that was in port. A little crowded for flycasting.
Got packed up and checked out of the Radisson. Lunch at Fish Me then over to the Havilla Cruise terminal. Caught an Uber ride with a chatty driver. Long line at check in, got on ship, cabins assigned. We played some rummy while waiting to get settled in. Dinner in the dining room was very good after everyone got seated. Cabins are comfortable and we are in for the night..
Started the morning early at the hotel fitness center, used the sauna. Jemi I had coffee at Baker Brun. Raining again, but was able to do some extensive walking around the city. Met up with Jemi at 3 Kroneren for another reindeer hotdog with lingonberry sauce, fried onion and mustard. Afternoon, Sonya got some lunch at Godt Brod. We also visited the old Fort Grounds and Castle Tower. Very interesting tour. Jemi and I went back to Fish Me For sushi dinner..
Another rainy day, took the tram up the mountain. Fishing at the small lake. Coffee and pastries after. Clouds cleared for a nice view of the city and surrounding area. Excellent dinner at Bryggeloftet. Halibut, Lamb and Roast Venison.
Up early this morning. Checked out of City Box and moved to the Radisson in Bryggen. Rainy today. Walked around looking at shops, boats and ships in the harbor. Later a great lunch at the fish market. Quiet Sunday here in Norway.
8 AM ~ hired a car from Hertz at the Oslo Station. Jemi navigated, Jon drove us out of the city and west toward the mountains. We followed a great river, lakes, dark and still, small towns and villages making way to the thick pine forest. Above timberline, trees slowly disappeared, then a vast moonscape, a glacier in the distance, mountain tops dotted with lakes, small streams connecting them, forming links in a chain.
On the west side we drop over into the the upper end of a glacier carved canyon, so deep, rugged and steep the first sight of it takes your breath away. Stopped for lunch at a roadside cafe in Eidfjord.
The next 3 hours wind through tunnels and narrow highway the full length of Veafjordan, part of the North Atlantic.
Arrived in Bergen after 5, checked into City Box Hotel, grocery store then settled in for the night.
Up this morning at 4:42AM, coffee at train station. Tested out Ryde Scooters. Heading to Laundry Cafe at 10. Took the tram back to the hotel in the rain. Tried a Norwegian Waffle with brown cheese and butter…traditional snack. Quite good! Nan and Jemi went shopping for a while mid day. Plans to try Lorry Restaurant for dinner tonight. Met Dane Walker from New Zealand at DJI store. Contact for possible future adventure.
Morning coffee at the train station. 10:00 - Uber to Folk Museum. Spent the afternoon looking at exhibits indoors relating to Norwegian early life, culture and history. The museum has over 160 historical buildings arranged in an open air self guided tour. Very interesting to see what life was like during those years. Had late lunch at a restaurant nearby, then back to the hotel. After a rest, walked to dinner at an Irish Pub around the corner. More walking around then some gelato and on to the hotel for the night..
Up at 4AM, tough adjustment to 7 hour time difference. Coffee at the train depot. Amazing array of restaurants, shops and bakeries. Quiet, clean and orderly. 9:30, starting the morning at the hotel lobby. Visit to The Vigeland Park in the Frogner District. Late dinner near hotel at Cafe Cathedral - (Salmon and Reindeer Pasta). Rainy day today. .
Boarded our flight at JFK midnight. Comfortable flight on Norse Atlantic. Landed at 11:30 am local time. Train from OSL Airport to Oslo Grand Central. Short walk to Comfort Hotel in city center. We walked the Karl Johans Gate to the Royal Palace. Pizza at a courtyard cafe. Then back to hotel for rest..
Subway to Natural History Museum, New York Public Library and Coffee in Bryant Park. Back to SOHO and dinner at Grand Street Social. Uber to JFK and flight out, midnight Norse Atlantic.
Up this morning at 6:20, Starbucks next door at 7, morning walk around neighborhood. The empty streets seem odd against the contrast of the bustling crowds of Saturday night. Breakfast at Landmark Diner. Sonya and Jemi joining me soon.
Landmark Diner
Uber to Central Park south, walked around a while then walked 5th Avenue south bound. Popped into the UGGs Store, Barnes & Noble, Sketchers and then the Orvis store. Picked up some flies, fly box, and other fly fishing supplies. Had some lunch near Grand Central the Uber back to hotel.
Out to dinner in Little Italy.
Up at 4:30 AM, final gathering of bags and such. Coffee up…Jake pickup at 5:30. Dropped at MCI, skycap, security….reload coffee. 7:47 seated in row 11.
2:20 PM - At Hotel Solita, pizza in SOHO. Stop at Think Coffee for an afternoon brew. Walked to Chelsea Market for dinner at Dicksons Meat Market. Then to the Pier. 8:51 In hotel for the night.
Travel to Tri Cities
Drove down to Kennewick this morning, 3:30 AM start. Watched to morning break through the windshield of Ram truck, a rising orange and golden glow in the side view mirror, illuminating the sage and wheat with a wash of morning light. Turning south on highway 395 the railroad tracks marking the route of the old 2 lane that connected the now abandoned farmhouses and grain silos.
Rolling through Pasco and past Sun Willows golf course, I can feel the memories returning, many rounds played there through the 1980s and 90s. Dad, Rod, my brothers on occasion. The Design Industrial Golf Tournament held there back in the heyday.
Canyon Lakes
Turning into Canyon Lakes a row of mature scotch pines are backlit as the sun begins to climb. This marks the boundary of once empty fields, now overbuilt with homes, condos and commercial buildings. The surrounding golf course looks familiar, but much has changed.
Checking in at the pro shop for a 7:08 AM tee time, load up clubs and drive to the first Tee. I am paired with two cousins from Tri Cities and Boulder Colorado. Drew Lockwood, a Canyon Lakes resident, upon hearing our the McCleary name he asked if I knew a Lori McCleary…what are the odds? Turns out he dated Lori’s best friend and spent a lot of time with our cousin.
Gordon West (Gordy) asked if I had any family in Colorado. Turns out he is a dentist and aunt Barb is one of his patients. Another interesting coincidence.
Had a good time playing with these guys as they prepared for a weekend tournament. We talked in the clubhouse after and planned to connect in October for chuckar hunt in Oregon. Turns out a lot of shared interests and a lot in common.
Ended round with an 81.
Zintel Creek
Got an early start, Austin and I stopped at Hill’s for breakfast on our way to the course. It was a nostalgic return to the course where my golf obsession began. We were immediately struck by the scale of the improvements. The new ownership has created an amazing and unique experience with the old course.
While warming up before our round, Aaron, Sonya’s brother randomly showed up. We chatted a bit before teeing off. We were paired with two young gents, surname, Puckett. Related to Gary Puckett, a name from the past associated with the LaMear family. -
Enjoyed reminiscing with Austin as we played the course. Best greens we have played in a while.
Finished with 72 +6, Austin 76 +10
Ritzville Municipal
Sunday on the drive home, Austin and I stopped to play 9 at Ritzville. Carrie read a book on the patio while we played.
It was a perfect end to the trip. Fun to walk and play a 9 hole muni. It is interesting how these small town courses are a hub of the town with faithful followers showing up excitement to take the first tee.
Carded a 40 +5
Met up with Hunter and Paul at the Higgins point boat ramp at 9 AM. Fish near Carlin Bay from hunters boat, trolling for Chinook salmon. Weather was nice, fishing was slow. Marked a lot of fish, and managed to real one in as we were bringing up the gear. Finished around 11 AM. Drove to Butte, Montana, and spent the night at the Walmart on reserve Street. Drove the remaining distance home, stopping in Sydney Nebraska at Cabela’s for the night. Home at 5 pm. 4000 miles.
