On the Rocks

Perhaps the highlight at Hunderfossen is the hotel/bar/wedding chapel carved straight out of snow and ice.  The chapel regularly hosts weddings, at least until the whole place melts in springtime, and there are accomodations for 40 people--you sleep on animal skins and in down sleeping bags, right on a bed of ice.  It's remarkably comfortable inside.  Each year, artists and architects rebuild the structure with a new design.

Hunderfossen

At Hunderfossen, with our host, in front of the Norwegian fairy tale castle.  Very impressive.

Lillehammer: First Full Day

We had many photo-worthy experiences during our first full day in Lillehammer.  We began the day with a behind-the-scenes tour of Hunderfossen, a family amusement park based on Norwegian fairy tales.  Our guide was Anders Huuse, the founder and owner of the park, who developed the concept 25 years ago.  We were all completely smitten with the park's charm. In the above photo, Anders prepares us to enter the troll's grotto.

On to Lillehammer

Today we said goodbye to our new friends in Gjøvik who were such wonderful hosts this last week.  We are very grateful for their hospitality.  The beauty of this special town, the "Swan of Lake Mjøsa," and its people, will always be in our hearts.

Tonight we have moved on to Lillehammer at the north end of the Lake.  Most Americans know Lillehammer as host city to the 1994 Winter Olympics.  This week we'll see many of the Olympic facilities, plus get to know the rich history of the area and its current economic and political situation.  We're looking forward to another rewarding week.

Fjellhallen

We've had a busy week in Gjøvik.  On Wednesday we toured the Raufoss Industrial Park, home to a cluster of 20 companies that employ 3,000 workers (when times are good; they are suffering like the rest of us during this economic slowdown).  Yesterday we visited the Hoff potato processing plant, where among other things, the glorious local potato liquor akvvit is manufactured.  Then we toured Fjellhallen, the ice hockey arena inside a mountain (pictured above), first developed for the 1994 Winter Olympics and now used for concerts, sporting events, and a variety of community activities.

Skiing

Cara and Sara with host and ski instructor, Finn, in Kongvinger. Tackling the winter sports one day at a time here in Norway!

Bergsjordet Ski School

We ended the day yesterday at Bergsjordet Ski School, where children as young as four learn the national past time of Norway.

Gjøvik Glassverk

Jayme at Gjøvik Glassverk! We each took turns blowing glass which they immediately broke because the standards were not high enough. What can we say, we are not professionals.

Gjøvik: Skibladner

Monday was our first full day in Gjøvik.  Here is Bill next to the Skibladner, the oldest operating paddle steamer in the world.  Lake Mjøsa is frozen at the moment, but during the summer this popular boat transports tourists and locals from Gjøvik, Lillehammer, and Hamar.

Vocational Day

Last Friday we each had a vocational day in Kongsvinger. I visited Marikollen Grade School (grades 1-7) and Holt Middle School (grades 8-10). It was a fantastic day meeting students and teachers. In the picture, fourth graders performed a dance for me. Students also sang songs for me in English, put on a play, and the older students practiced their English by asking me questions. I greatly appreciate my hosts at both schools for sharing their work with me and making me feel so welcome.