tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7510145761634993452024-03-12T14:54:03.293-04:00A Wandering KnightThoughts mostly about travel and places I have been. While a lot of my travel is into the backcountry backpacking or paddling I do my share of trips to more traditional front-country locations too. From time to time other items of note will appear that definitely fall outside the realm of travel and associated things. It is also worth noting that I am legally blind.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16916977482838143188noreply@blogger.comBlogger550125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751014576163499345.post-39486963330113668122024-03-12T14:53:00.001-04:002024-03-12T14:53:31.708-04:00Cold Weather Survival Class and Camp
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://youtube.com/watch?v=xp983D7DgQM&si=aGuxf3Vd6VMSxOVZ" title="Play Cold Weather Survival Class and Camp "><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/xp983D7DgQM.jpeg" alt="Play video Cold Weather Survival Class and Camp " id="id_f7b8_fe5_318c_8654"></a><br>
<a href="https://youtube.com/watch?v=xp983D7DgQM&si=aGuxf3Vd6VMSxOVZ">▶️ Play Cold Weather Survival Class and Camp </a></p>
</blockquote>
<p>On the weekend of February 3-4, 2024 Andy and I took part in a general skills class targeted towards cold weather survival. The class was organized and taught by Michael Neiger and some fellow associates. Michael has extensive outdoor experience including considerable work in search-and-rescue. I certainly do not think I know that much about backcountry survivial and my experience is a match flame against what Michael and his colleagues bring with their bonfire of knowledge. I certainly can learn more (and what is just as good Michael knows he can still learn more). </p>
<p>Driving up towards Hartwick Pines State Park under steadily lightening but rather overcast skies Andy I pondered what would be covered. We arrived a little before 09:00 and found the lecture-room fairly well filled. Coffee was ever-so-slowly percolating in a giant urn and many people took Michael’s suggestion of bringing food to share up with enthusiasm. With one thing and another the morning session didn’t start at 09:00 but in time people were settled and the presentation of information began.</p>
<p>This was an overview class. Michael and Todd had a lot of material to cover and they still needed time for lunch and then the outdoor portion of the class. That would be the pattern for both days: information presentation in the morning and outdoor skills work outside in the afternoon. I’m not going to try and discuss all that was talked about in the mornings from navigation, what to carry on your body, suriving on ice and how to recover if you fall through, communications, food, shelter building, and so much more. If you want to spend time outdoors , especially away from well travelled spots, a good primer class like this is certainly worthwhile. Of course, simple information dumps only go so far; you need to practice skills. In this class that meant some basic fire building skills and some basic shelter building.</p>
<p>I wish I had video of us building the snow trench. With over 20 people tossing snow on to a pile that was surely 8 feet long by at leastt 6 feet wide and likely 4 feet tall did not take all that long. Then a couple people hollowed out the center while the rest of us gathered long branches and pine boughs to place atop of the opened-to-the-sky roof. While only one person could really lay down inside the trench you could get two, maybe three, people squeezed inside sitting against each other. It certainly would be proof against nasty weather outside and would warm up too.</p>
<p>We also threw up a debris-style shelter. With many people working to gather materiel it goes quickly. If I have a complaint against the class it is that you likley don’t get a proper sense of how long it would take to build a shelter like this beacause with 2 or 3 people it would certainly take far longer. But knowing how to do it and then doing it are valuable as you will know it is possible. Michael also quickly showed how a survival space-blanket can be turned into a basic shelter against bad weather.</p>
<p>On the second day we had more information-packed sldies to abosrb before venturing outside, again sunny low 40s (hardly cold) weather, to practice skills: fire making. If people took nothing else away from the class but the fact that patience is required and that you need far more fuel of all sizes than you think then I would say it was a success. I think everyone got their fires going. Goodness knows it is easier to get things going properly when you have a bit of help from your partners. To be sure Sunny, Kristen, and I probably took a good 20 minutes to get our kindling, tinder, and fuel sticks ready, then lit and burning. But we got the snow in my modest-sized cup melting and boiling. Practice and patience win the day.</p>
<p>I do not know how many people camped at vairous places around Grayling. I suspect the local hotels saw a bit of extra business which I bet was welcome because this has been a poor winter for snow-sports based recreation. Andy and I managed to carefully drive into the campground at Lake John. We heard a dog and some people in the distance but I think we had the campground to ourselves and the wildlife we heard. The barking of a deer was the most noticeable but the hoot of a great horned owl is always nice to hear too.</p>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-03-2024-144200.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Feb 3, 2024 at 2:42 PM " id="id_3748_692f_7430_bcff"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>One of the things the several dozen attendees at this cold weather survival class including me (left)and Andy (right) did was build a snow trench shelter. </p>
<p>--February 3, 2024 at 2:42 PM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=44.74089166666667%2C-84.662645&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=44.740892,-84.662645&ll=44.740892,-84.662645">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/44.74089166666667/-84.662645">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-04-2024-160356.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Feb 4, 2024 at 4:03 PM " id="id_6f34_aa32_9ee_d5b7"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>--February 4, 2024 at 4:03 PM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=44.73974666666667%2C-84.66424499999999&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=44.739747,-84.664245&ll=44.739747,-84.664245">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/44.73974666666667/-84.66424499999999">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16916977482838143188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751014576163499345.post-89218866075937388632024-02-28T15:30:00.001-05:002024-02-28T15:30:03.707-05:00Porto, Portugal, 2024: OUr Days in Porto
<p>We piled into our first of two taxis (what they had to do as our initial ride got a flat tire) for the ride to the surprisingly large airport for Gran Canaria at 07:00. It was a straightforward ride to the airport and we got through ticketing and security in short order. We found a adequate bite to eat and settled down to wait for our first flight of the day. It’s a straightforward trip to Porto even though it does require two flights that go somewhat out of their way. About ten hours after we left Agaete and an absolutely lousy ham and cheese (sort of) sandwich on our flights we arrived in Porto, Portugal. We settled into our rooms at the Four Points Sheraton in Matosinhos. We are a couple blocks from the beach which turns out to be surprisingly wide white sand beach. We found a Napalese-style cuisine restaurant which served us rather good dinner which was a refreshing change from the dinners of the past week. </p>
<p>One nice feature of this hotel is the rooms are quite inexpensive at €75/night. You pay an extra €12.50 per person per day (and it must be every day) for a buffet-style breakfast. It’s money we might be able to better spend elsewhere given the quality of the breakfasts but we’ve bitten the bullet and that is that. The hotel in Las Palmas was easily twice as much. I’ve no idea what the Occidental Roca Negra in Agaete charged. The rooms here are exceptionally nice and goodness knows you aren’t going to find a hotel room in a city with a quarter million people living in it back home that is comparably priced. It’s probably this cheap because we aren’t really in the heart of the city where the historic center and far more touristy bits are located. The Ribeira by the River Douro is probably about 8km away: call it is 20 minute Uber/taxi ride. We decided to play things by ear as Dad was under the weather but we had at least one place to visit: Serralves Contemporary Museum of Art. From the hotel it’s a couple miles walk.</p>
<p>The walk Apple Maps took us on, chosen because it was the “fastest” was alright but not really exciting. We passed by a large park that we suspect was quite nice. We also suspected that going along a major avenue that we would later drive down would have been the better choice for city-seeing. Our route was residential and a bit dull. But the morning was sunny and warming towards the upper 50s so it was enjoyable enough. Fortified with a pastry of some sort or other and small cappuccinos (how else in Europe) we enter the Serralves Foundation complex. The buildings that house the museum and other things are massive. I think the architecture is a bit stark and rigid. The intereors are massive volumes that I think could eaisly contains 2 or 3 of homes of the size we have back home. Those volumes seem terribly empty. And the art just didn’t do anything for me. The space with the hanging ropes and patterned tiles around the walls that featured a ramp leading down to a tiled expanse that seemed to slope further down in front of a window that framed some wonderful trees was the best space. Too bad a photograph couldn’t capture the sense of the space. </p>
<p>However, the grounds were a very nice surprise. We ambled through the paper birch glade to an allee that had at its entry a sculpture by Claes Odenburg: a giant spade. I suppose it honors people who work the soil. While it’s impressive I preferred the vortex-like twisting metal that came up next as we strolled along the sweet gum tree lined allee. We had to watch where we placed our feet lest we trod upon seedpods from the trees. Those pesky pods can easily roll under your foot and were everywhere. The allee eventually took us to a set of connected pools. Everything is wonderfully maintained and landscaped. It is formal in its style but lovely.</p>
<p>Our walk through the grounds closed with our exploration along a boardwalk that runs easily a few hundred feet through the canopy tops of the trees in a portion of the complex. I’ve no idea what trees we walked through but it was an enjoyable stroll giving us a chance to look down from upon high. It also really marked the end of our time in the complex since after we returned to the main building we found that the restaurant served lunch but it was a €17-per-person buffet and we have had enough buffets for a while. Since Dad was flagging we got an Uber back to the hotel and tried the little place we had seen earlier for lunch. Arcadia was surprisingly good.</p>
<p>Mom and I did a bit more exploring of the beach/promenade later in the day while Dad worked on conquering his cold. We had a very light-style pizza: light crust, minimal cheese and sauce, decent toppings though not hot enough pizza at Pizzaria Luzzo’s. We suspect they do a brisk business even though, like many places, they don’t open until 19:00 (7:00PM). The spaghetti bolognese we got for Dad as carry-out was actually a better choice. </p>
<h3>The Last Day</h3>
<p>It’s too bad we didn’t find this walking tour before coming to Porto. Mom found what looks like a lovely walking tour if you have only one day (though they suggest 2 is better) in Porto. But with Dad still contending with his cold a 6-hour tour spanning several kilometers of possibly hilly walking and at least some rides on public transportation just wasn’t going to happen. We settled on a little exploring at the queyside where the bridges tour boats moored near Ribeira Square and Pont Dom Luis 1 (Dom Luis 1 Bridge). I’m sure we would have liked to do more but you do what you can or are willing to do. It’s a lively area. Tourists, locals, groups of school-aged children going places, all moving about in a fairly small region. That would become more noticeable later in the day when we climbed 200-odd steps and some ramps to get to the upper level of the Dom Luis 1 Bridge passing through areas that seemed rather devoid of life. The sun shone down in an essentially clear sky. Little wind blew. It felt considerably warmer than the day before though I supect the actualy air temperature was barely any higher. The boat pulled away from the dock on time and we were treated to a gentle ride up and then down the River Douro under half a dozen bridges. I wish I oculd tell you about the places we passed but it was a trial to get the app to work. Bad design: light gray text on a white background to select the langauge of choice. Hard for me to read; hard for people not really comfortable with technology to use. By the time we had it working properly I am not at all sure it was synced with the boat’s movements. It was then the descriptions were not up to the locations we passed. I’ve no doubt there is a vast amount of history here but I absorbed none of it. Mom and Dad didn’t gather much informaiton either. However, it was a pretty ride on a nice late morning. </p>
<p>When we climbed away from the river to find the entry point on our side of the river we had to contend with about 200 steps of various heights and some sloping streets. It seemed to pass through pretty dead bits of city for a time before popping out on a bustling street where I suspect a lot of things were going on. I was able to go out on to the bridge and the views are pretty good though I am pretty sure they won’t remain in memory for long. While I did that Mom and Dad found some shops to explore. But in time it was time to get an Uber and ride back to the area of the hotel: Dad was ready to be done. We settled on a second lunch at Arcadia and I am sad to report our second meal selections were nowhere near as good as our prevous ones had been. In fact, they were pretty mediocre if not donwright poor. Don’t get the stuffed crepes. My gelato from the ice cream place down the street was far more enjoyable. </p>
<p>I am quite sure there is a lot to do in Porto. Two or three days would be plenty for us under normal conditions I think. It’s hard to get explore when someone is really under the weather. If I were adventurous I suppose I could have gone out on my own but I’m not willing to do that. Maybe in an English-speaking city. That’s not really a given here. We will find a nearby place for dinner. Maybe one of the hole-in-the-wall seafood (maybe some meat) places Mom and I saw yesterday or the Nepalese place again. Tomorrow we get what we all fully epect not much from box breakfasts from the hotel at 06:30 and get a taxi to the aiport to start our flights (around 09:00) back to Rhode Island. Is it wrong of me to say I am looking forward to picking up dinner at Dave’s or perhaps Picasso’s Pizza? I think we all are.</p>
<h2>Photos</h2>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-27-2024-113545.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Feb 27, 2024 at 11:35 AM " id="id_74a_b41f_d7f6_9b54"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Claes Oldenburg’s spade marks the entrance, close enough, to the formal gardens here at the Serralves Contemporary Museum of MOdern Art. I suppose it is a salute to the people who work the soil like master gardeners like Mom here. Photo by Jonathan</p>
<p>—February 27, 2024 at 11:35 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=41.16005833333333%2C-8.658858333333333&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=41.160058,-8.658858&ll=41.160058,-8.658858">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/41.16005833333333/-8.658858333333333">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-27-2024-113834.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Feb 27, 2024 at 11:38 AM " id="id_95ed_e22c_a559_af39"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>I am not sure who created this vortex of a sculpture. We have passed thorugh a blade of birch white birch trees and entered an allee lined with sweet gum trees that are already dropping their seedpods all over the ground waiting for someone to step on them. Photo by Jonathan</p>
<p>—February 27, 2024 at 11:38 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=41.159625%2C-8.658616666666667&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=41.159625,-8.658617&ll=41.159625,-8.658617">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/41.159625/-8.658616666666667">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-27-2024-114042.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Feb 27, 2024 at 11:40 AM " id="id_fc2_d7dc_d6c3_8cbc"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Looking back along the sweet gum tree allee. It’s a cool sunny day. </p>
<p>—February 27, 2024 at 11:40 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=41.15963333333333%2C-8.658011666666667&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=41.159633,-8.658012&ll=41.159633,-8.658012">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/41.15963333333333/-8.658011666666667">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-27-2024-115036.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Feb 27, 2024 at 11:50 AM " id="id_4226_21c8_26e3_c704"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>The lands around the buildings are landscaped in a formal style. This set of connected pools is just one example of the lovely grounds.</p>
<p>—February 27, 2024 at 11:50 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=41.15918333333333%2C-8.656541666666667&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=41.159183,-8.656542&ll=41.159183,-8.656542">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/41.15918333333333/-8.656541666666667">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-27-2024-115809.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Feb 27, 2024 at 11:58 AM " id="id_36a2_831_1ca1_60d4"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>I do not know what types of trees we are walking through as we walk along this boardwalk amongst the treetops. It is a lovely stroll. </p>
<p>—February 27, 2024 at 11:58 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=41.1580805%2C-8.65635&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=41.158080,-8.656350&ll=41.158080,-8.656350">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/41.1580805/-8.65635">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-27-2024-143303.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Feb 27, 2024 at 2:33 PM " id="id_a88b_f732_67bf_2880"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>This is a remarkable sculpture by American artist Janet Echelman. It’s called Sea Moves or Sea Changes. The net moves. </p>
<p>—February 27, 2024 at 2:33 PM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=41.174%2C-8.688646666666667&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=41.174000,-8.688647&ll=41.174000,-8.688647">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/41.174/-8.688646666666667">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-28-2024-105129.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Feb 28, 2024 at 10:51 AM " id="id_f1f3_80ba_147f_2870"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>We think many of the buildings here along the River Douro are residential. I expect they go for a pretty hefty sum. The colorful facades are created by extensive tile mosaics.</p>
<p>—February 28, 2024 at 10:51 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=41.14035%2C-8.613316666666666&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=41.140350,-8.613317&ll=41.140350,-8.613317">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/41.14035/-8.613316666666666">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-28-2024-114429.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Feb 28, 2024 at 11:44 AM " id="id_fb85_1a84_a12a_93ec"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>—February 28, 2024 at 11:44 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=41.13991666666666%2C-8.611336666666666&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=41.139917,-8.611337&ll=41.139917,-8.611337">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/41.13991666666666/-8.611336666666666">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-28-2024-114440.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Feb 28, 2024 at 11:44 AM " id="id_3435_6259_8533_f40f"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>—February 28, 2024 at 11:44 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=41.1397695%2C-8.611974999999999&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=41.139769,-8.611975&ll=41.139769,-8.611975">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/41.1397695/-8.611974999999999">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-28-2024-115534.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Feb 28, 2024 at 11:55 AM " id="id_20d3_90df_7072_c314"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>I think we are nearing the downstream end of our cruise. The river is lined with all sorts of biuldings. Not really visible from here are the intricate tilework facades. </p>
<p>—February 28, 2024 at 11:55 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=41.14772783333333%2C-8.646371666666667&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=41.147728,-8.646372&ll=41.147728,-8.646372">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/41.14772783333333/-8.646371666666667">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-28-2024-121158.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Feb 28, 2024 at 12:11 PM " id="id_763c_93c5_42a7_4c02"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>—February 28, 2024 at 12:11 PM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=41.13945%2C-8.615170000000001&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=41.139450,-8.615170&ll=41.139450,-8.615170">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/41.13945/-8.615170000000001">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-28-2024-121321.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Feb 28, 2024 at 12:13 PM " id="id_9830_dcd5_f994_4981"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Near the dock, though at the end of the ride, for our cruise. I do not know what the church on the Villa Nova de Gaia side of the RIver Douro is. The bridge is the Dom Luis 1 bridge. Perhaps you can see people walking on the upper level. Trams run across the central section of that level.</p>
<p>—February 28, 2024 at 12:13 PM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=41.1399%2C-8.613&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=41.139900,-8.613000&ll=41.139900,-8.613000">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/41.1399/-8.613">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/Image.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Feb 28, 2024 at 12:52 PM " id="id_aec1_818c_ce39_4e3"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Views from the center of the upper level of Pont Dom Luis 1 (Dom Luis 1 Bridge) looking upstream (top) and downstream (bottom ) from a couple hundred feet above the River Douro.</p>
<p>--February 28, 2024 at 12:52 PM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=41.14041116666667%2C-8.609645&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=41.140411,-8.609645&ll=41.140411,-8.609645">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/41.14041116666667/-8.609645">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16916977482838143188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751014576163499345.post-23640373650509388722024-02-25T15:35:00.001-05:002024-02-25T15:35:33.796-05:00Gran Canaria, February 2024: Pinos de Galdar to Caideros - In the Cool Cloud
<p>Canary Islanders will likely tell you that it was chilly this morning even at sea level (17°C) and certainly at our starting point around 5,100 feet above sea level in the Pinos de Galdar where it was hovering around 13 °C (55°F). Our bus ride, about an hour this time, took us through clouds and patches of clear sky but mostly clouds. If it had been less cloudy when we were at certain points of the journey we could have gazed down upon a lower level of cloud coverage which would have been stunning. However, the main feature of the weather this morning was clouds. At least that was the main noticeable feature as we drove into the mountains. When we stepped out of the bus into a white shrouded world we quickly became aware that the wind was going to be playing a starring role in how we felt too. People were definitely bundled up more than any other day we hiked. I was ok wearing shorts, a longsleeve shirt, and windshirt when the wind was too strong and we weren’t getting any precipitation. Others had far more on. If you were stuck out overnight in these conditions a warm hat and gloves wouldn’t be out of place. </p>
<p>At our dropoff point there should have been a superb view. There was a superb white-out covering the caldera below. Engulfing white but at least it was dry against the skin even though we were clearly within clouds. Since there was no view to see there was no reason to hang out at the viewpoint. We quickly entered the pine forest and that was a nice instant chnage. The trees aren’t densely packed but all pine forests are lovely. The ground is covered with needles and the colors of the trees and ground are pretty. The wind is blocked. It is quiet.</p>
<p>The hike today would be through the pine forest and then on roads towards Caideros. The hike would be pretty much all descending. We followed a trail of worn away pine needles down and down, switching back and forth fairly often to reduce the angle of descent. But it’s a constant descent. Now and then we would enter an open area with few trees and the wind would beat at us. Now and then strongly enough to shift a person a bit: a little extra nudge. The footing was actually quite good and generally you didn’t have exposure to deal with. Of course, since the views were mostly shrouded you might not have noticed exposure were it there to bother you. </p>
<p>I think we picked up an extra member around the one-mile mark. A dachshund had been following a group that was heading up the mountain. The dog decided to join us as we went down the mountain. Belinda, our local guide, gave the dog a name but I am not quite sure what it was. Nor am I sure how long the dog stayed with us though I am sure it was gone when we stopped for lunch. Maybe the dog figured out that being on a wet windy mountainside where the winds were increasing in stregth wasn’t really a good place to be and went home. </p>
<p>At the local cafe, just located in what seems like the middle of nowhere (though there were many cars) we stopped for lunch. I should have tried the lamb or pork. I did try some of the locally made cheese and it was vastly superior to whatever we are getting at the hotel. It had flavor. I can’t describe it but it was an enjoyable snack. It was not the Qesso de Flore (think that is right) which is a local cheese made using , I think, sheep’s milk (goat?) and a rennet made from a local flower. Not many make this anymore but it is supposedly renown. </p>
<p>We leave the pine forest for the roads at this piont. We’ve dropped aoubt 1,000 feet in elevation over the past two miles. The temperature was marginally warmer but the winds are strong enough and it is sprinkling, and some of us not already wearing rainwear quickly donned rain jackets. The descent would continue on a two lane tarmac road. Down we went. Now and then a tantalizing view would appear long enough to show us what we could truly see if only the clouds were not around. It would be stunning. We passed by pastures with goats and homes. We soon reached a part of the Camino de Santiago Gran Canaria which does end at a church I believe dedicated to Santiago in Galdar. It is a 66km long trail that starts in the south of the island and heads north between volcanoes. The trail is marked with the scallop shell like the Canimon de Santiago trails that meander through Europe to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. I suppose we followed a section of the trail all the way into town: perhaps 1.5 miles.</p>
<p>The wind never really let up but the skies did begin to clear as we approached the end of our walk. It was sunny in the plaza where we found our bus waiting for us. We settled down upon steps to wait for the people doing the harder walk to arrive. They arrived about 20 minutes after we settled down. Not long after we re-united, perhaps around 14:15 we boarded the coach for the journey back to the hotel. I am pretty sure we have never done a walk that ended as early as this walk did. We were back at the now sun-drenched hotel where the temperature is probablhy about 21°C in the shade.</p>
<p><strong>Stats</strong></p>
<p>Perhaps we started at a different spot than initially planned but I do not think so. We hiked 4.6 miles descending about 2,100 feet and ascending maybe 100 feet. The first 2.1 miles were through the lovely pine forest on good trail with fine footing of soil and pine needles. The next 2.5 miles were on tarmac roads for the most part with maybe a tiny break here and there but not enough to notice. </p>
<h2>Photos</h2>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-25-2024-101858.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Feb 25, 2024 at 10:18 AM " id="id_222d_8aab_294a_9b1"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>It’s good that pine forsts are as pretty as they are because I don’t think it will be long before we plunge into the cloud layer you see in the distance.</p>
<p>--February 25, 2024 at 10:18 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=28.03853616666667%2C-15.61969166666667&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=28.038536,-15.619692&ll=28.038536,-15.619692">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/28.03853616666667/-15.61969166666667">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-25-2024-103207.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Feb 25, 2024 at 10:32 AM " id="id_2261_1366_b222_c249"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Groups always spread out a bit. This is a lovely pine tree forest: Pinos de Galdar. The footing on this pine-needle and dirt trail is quite good which is nice since it is a steady constant descent with a grade around 10%. Photo by Judy</p>
<p>--February 25, 2024 at 10:32 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=%2C&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16//">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-25-2024-121131.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Feb 25, 2024 at 12:11 PM " id="id_d805_c70d_dd41_df76"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>There probably is a fantastic view hiding behind that shroud of clouds behind Mom. </p>
<p>--February 25, 2024 at 12:11 PM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=28.0593%2C-15.63033&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=28.059300,-15.630330&ll=28.059300,-15.630330">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/28.0593/-15.63033">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-25-2024-121411.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Feb 25, 2024 at 12:14 PM " id="id_4a87_5f57_355f_6f86"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>This is our groups of people tackling the easier walk. We had a nice little break at the roadside cafe. It’s all roadwalk downhill from here. Photo by Belinda (local guide).</p>
<p>--February 25, 2024 at 12:14 PM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=28.0592555%2C-15.630275&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=28.059255,-15.630275&ll=28.059255,-15.630275">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/28.0592555/-15.630275">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-25-2024-122431.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Feb 25, 2024 at 12:24 PM " id="id_bba0_8d72_3e72_872"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>We left the comfort of the roadside cafe and were immediately pelted by enough rain which caused those of us not wearing rainjackets to put them on. </p>
<p>--February 25, 2024 at 12:24 PM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=28.06253333333333%2C-15.63228666666667&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=28.062533,-15.632287&ll=28.062533,-15.632287">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/28.06253333333333/-15.63228666666667">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-25-2024-122853.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Feb 25, 2024 at 12:28 PM " id="id_20ab_465d_71b_1e84"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Passing a scallop shell that is marking this as part of the Camino Santiago de Gran Canaria. Photo by Judy</p>
<p>--February 25, 2024 at 12:28 PM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=28.06261383333333%2C-15.63365833333333&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=28.062614,-15.633658&ll=28.062614,-15.633658">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/28.06261383333333/-15.63365833333333">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-25-2024-131749.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Feb 25, 2024 at 1:17 PM " id="id_b2db_8ec1_8de9_d0e4"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>I had to be quick to get even this view. I just missed some sunshine shining off distant rocks. </p>
<p>--February 25, 2024 at 1:17 PM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=28.07736116666667%2C-15.64296166666667&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=28.077361,-15.642962&ll=28.077361,-15.642962">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/28.07736116666667/-15.64296166666667">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-25-2024-134530.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Feb 25, 2024 at 1:45 PM " id="id_74e9_d388_28db_9b8"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>I am not entirely sure what the name of this village is. It may be Caideros which is what the booklet implies. It has a nice plaza but that is all we saw. </p>
<p>--February 25, 2024 at 1:45 PM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=28.0772695%2C-15.64849166666667&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=28.077269,-15.648492&ll=28.077269,-15.648492">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/28.0772695/-15.64849166666667">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16916977482838143188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751014576163499345.post-41451253321656090192024-02-24T12:58:00.001-05:002024-02-24T12:58:46.519-05:00Gran Canaria, February 2024: Free Day Plus One
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-23-2024-121504.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Feb 23, 2024 at 12:15 PM " id="id_a769_34df_6a8e_b644"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>I believe they get about 320 sunny days a year. This is one of the 45 cloudy days. With a 15-20 MPH wind it’s almost brisk outside. The trees attest to the strength of the wind and down by the sea you will feel spray. The Occidental Roca Negra Hotel is well above any spray. </p>
<p>--February 23, 2024 at 12:15 PM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=28.1068305%2C-15.708345&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=28.106831,-15.708345&ll=28.106831,-15.708345">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/28.1068305/-15.708345">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p>Today is oging to be one of the 45 or so cloudy days they have here. At least that seems to be what various information sources suggest. The free day has come at a good time as it will give Mom a chance to beat back the cold she is hosting. Hopefully by Saturday she will feel up to tackling the 4th walk. We just spent our time at the hotel with a couple quick jaunts down to the sea to see the salt water pools get blasted by the 4 to 5 meter waves, according to a coastal weather event warning though surely the spray was that high but I’m not sure about the waves. We also had to get some more lunch and snack food. No doubt others in the group did a variety of things on their day off. Also perhaps there is more we could have done but it’s just not easy getting about or so it feels.</p>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-23-2024-105130.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Feb 23, 2024 at 10:51 AM " id="id_fd29_c07b_ac08_e1ae"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>This is just a small spray. I wasn’t ever able to catch the larger ones that actually sent a bit of water to land on my skin. </p>
<p>--February 23, 2024 at 10:51 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=28.1065805%2C-15.71016166666667&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=28.106580,-15.710162&ll=28.106580,-15.710162">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/28.1065805/-15.71016166666667">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<h3>* * * * *</h3>
<p>We are taking a second day off. Perhaps I could have done the walk but I didn’t want to feel like a burden on the group. I know physically I can do the walk but I might well move more slowly than the others and they’d feel put-upon (whether I think that is reasonable or not). Mom is still under the weather and that means she wasn’t going to go regardless. I am unhappy with this turn of events but suppose it is for the best even if it feels less than fair. That’s an indictment of my own state of mind. We will do something in town. More than yesterday. I hope so. Boy am I lousy at figuring out what that should be on short notice.</p>
<p>Time passes... </p>
<p>Dad and I took a round-about stroll into Agaete. Round-about because I always seem to have trouble getting started on either Apple or Google Maps walking directions. Once I find the route I do well enough. Mom is definitely better at getting oriented than Dad or I am. It’s an overcast blustery morning as we work our way down the bustling roads down into the heart of the town. Our goal is to find the Huerto de las Flores (Botanical Garden). It took us a bit longer than it probably should have but we found it. It is well worth the €1 per person entry fee (cash not accepted). WIthin the small confines is a dense forest of all types of plants. Neither Dad or I have any idea what we were seeing but it is well laid out and maintained. It’s also surprisingly quiet within the garden. While I am doubtfult that you could take a family and spend hours inside as some websites suggest you certainly can get a nice respite. There are some truly spectacular trees like the Spotted Fig shown in the photo.</p>
<p>After leaving the garden and getting a couple coffee-drinks and a muffin (about €3.60 - that might get you a tiny cappuccino back home) we slowly worked our way back to the hotel. That was done with a little confusion along the way but we found ourselves retracing some of the walk we had done two days ago as we headed down towards the ocean. Once there it became clear that it was indeed sprinkling a bit and with winds blowing easily over 20MPH and gusting considerably more forcefully that sprinkle seemed much more intense. We were not soaked but we did get damp as we climbed the winding pavers path up to the hotel. </p>
<p>As I type this patches of blue sky are drifting by and the sun has appeared for for a few minutes at a time now and then. A person is swimming in the oddly shaped pool; another is in the jacuzzi - should I go? - probably not. The temperature is in the mid-60s (upper teens centigrade) but as the lady tending the ppol-side bar said as she served me some (mediocre) french fries, “muy frio.” That is more proof that how we feel about the weather is subjective.</p>
<p>With luck we will be able to do the walk tomorrow. It’s supposedly 5 miles with 200 feet ascent and something like 2,900 feet of descent. Must be mostly downhill though we have no real idea what the trail/paths might be like. I don’t even really have enough information to figure out where the walk will be let alone where it is going (maybe others are smarter about that). I wish they’d provide at least basic map information. We’ve heard it stated by one guide that they don’t want to spoil the surprises of the walks but I think that’s a lame argument. Time will, as always, tell.</p>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-24-2024-110140.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Feb 24, 2024 at 11:01 AM " id="id_bf9d_27e3_93a8_74ba"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Dad is standing in front of this remarkable Spotted Fig tree. The bark is particularly striking. The tree sits inside this lovely little botanical gardens located in the center of Agaete.</p>
<p>--February 24, 2024 at 11:01 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=28.09892783333333%2C-15.69968666666667&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=28.098928,-15.699687&ll=28.098928,-15.699687">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/28.09892783333333/-15.69968666666667">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16916977482838143188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751014576163499345.post-35202826265545605822024-02-23T12:19:00.001-05:002024-03-01T15:44:01.881-05:00Gran Canaria, February 2024: Day 5 - Maipes Parque Arqueoloogo
<p>Sometimes it is the small things that you appreciate in the place you are staying. The hotel here is very modern. For example, some of the light fixtures are indirect behind sculpted metal but direct where it is appropriate. Very nice. Having two-ply toilet paper (the Hilton used single-ply) is a nice touch. The shower head sits embedded in the ceiling and pours water down like a torrent from the sky in a shower stall that will definitely not produce a flood. If only the choices for food matched the quality of the rooms the Occidental Hotel Roca Negra would be a true treat.</p>
<p>Once again we elected to do the easy walk. The walk would take us through new and old Agaeate and then through the archeological park of Maipes which is the site of some 700 tombs built out of the 3,000 year-old lava by the original inhabitants of the island. From there we’d pass through a wide ravine to our final destination: a coffee and wine plantation. The people doing the harder walk would end up at the same place but get there via a totally different route involving considerably more ascent and descent than our 700 feet ascent and 100 feeet descent (according to the notes). Our walking distance is supposed to be 5 miles. </p>
<p>We sallied forth along the slab-paved curving path that curls down the cliffs from the hotel to the coast. This morning the pavers had a touch of dampness upon them. Just enough to let your feet know that it could be a bit slippery underfoot. As we proceeded down to the sea I began to think the waves were crashing against the shore with more vigor. This feeling grew as we ambled along the slightly damp promenade that leads into the town proper. There seemed to be a bit of a mist or haze hanging over the town. It obscured the arriving ferry from Tenerife but was clearly dissipating. It was going to be a bright sunny and overly warm day.</p>
<p>We paused at the site where you could see what remains of God’s Finger. Tropical Storm Delta (November 2005) shattered the stone finger. It’s now more of a knuckle and not really visible at least from our vantage point. We continued on through the town eventually leaving the bustling streets by the sea to slowely ascend through an older part of Agaete. Nice enough I suppose. But the main attraction of the walk was still to come.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.arqueologiacanaria.com/maipes_de_agaete/yacimiento-maipesdeagaete.html">
</a></p><li><a href="http://www.arqueologiacanaria.com/maipes_de_agaete/yacimiento-maipesdeagaete.html">Maipes Archeological Park</a></li> is a necropolis containing about 700 tombs of various sizes up to 8 meters in diameter and 3 meters high. Within the tombs bodies are stored in “jars.” As I understand it no extra objects or relics were put in with the bodies. When the site, made of lava that flowed out 3,000 years ago, was deemed full around the 9th century C.E., the people living here simply moved on to a new locale. Today you can walk amongst the tombs on a metal boardwalk that prevents you from dealing with sharp lava and wrecking the ground you are walking on. But the curators of the park have provided a stretch of bare lava, about 2 meters long,you can walk to get a sense of how it feels. Overall the place is clearly well taken care of. It’s a site both severe and beautiful. <p></p>
<p>From there we walked across some lava fields, nothing hard, to enter a wide ravine that we would follow for easily 1.5 miles. The footing here is generally easy even though the soil footbed is littered with rocks. There is one short section where more care must be taken and ropes are provided to give you an extra bit of support should you need it. It sounds worse than it actually is. I was surprised at how lush the area seemed. Cactus are present but so are a lot of other plants. A few hundred meters to either side houses set atop the cliff walls that make the ravine but it was rather quiet as we walked along with little road noise or other non-nature sounds intruding upon our experience. The thing that most prominently intruded upon our enjoyment was the increasing temperature: surely well over 80 °F under the pounding sunlight. It was always a pleassure to step into shaded areas. Too bad those were few and far between. It isn’t a particularly scenic ravine. </p>
<p>We left the ravine, passing under a small refreshing water leak, to walk the final kilometer along a town road that quickly rose a couple hundred feet to the road that leads into the coffee plantation in San Pedro. We got a tour that was notably for the exuberance of the woman informing us about various facts about the coffee plantation. To say she had a wildly distinctive, annoying, shrill laugh and presentation style is understating the case. Perhaps the laugh can’t be changed (and it would drive me nuts) but toning down the drama would be welcome. After the tour (which though I don’t recall details now of what we experienced in Costa Rica wasn’t anywhere near as good) we sat down for a tasting of some of the wines this plantation also makes along with thimble-sized amounts of coffee. I suppose a nice touch but it really didn’t thrill the foodie in me. </p>
<p><strong>Stats</strong></p>
<p>The walk actually came pretty close to the booklet stats we had available. It was 5 miles long and had 800 feet of ascent and 100 feet of descent. The vast majority of the descent was from the hotel to the sea. We ascended on roads and some short lava beds with the last couple hundred feet of ascent at the end of the Agaete Ravine and then on sidewalks along a road into the coffee plantation. The highlight of the walk is the cemetery.</p>
<h2>Photos</h2>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-22-2024-091549.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Feb 22, 2024 at 9:15 AM " id="id_6bd9_daaa_b8bf_4286"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>It seems like the waves crashing against the lava flow are doing so with more vigor this morning. We expect it to be warm and clear though there seems to be a bit of haze over part of Agaete (not seen here). </p>
<p>--February 22, 2024 at 9:15 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=28.1048%2C-15.712&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=28.104800,-15.712000&ll=28.104800,-15.712000">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/28.1048/-15.712">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-22-2024-104700.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Feb 22, 2024 at 10:47 AM " id="id_5c49_6115_ed73_4900"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>The top photo is a map representing where tombs of the original inhabitants of this area are located. The botom photo shows a part of the cemetery and you can see the lava rock mounds that are the above-ground portions of the tombs. </p>
<p>--February 22, 2024 at 10:47 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=28.097175%2C-15.69240333333333&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=28.097175,-15.692403&ll=28.097175,-15.692403">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/28.097175/-15.69240333333333">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-22-2024-110527.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Feb 22, 2024 at 11:05 AM " id="id_bcf2_62d5_e91f_19ae"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>The mound you see in the foreground and some of the others further away mark some of the 700 tombs of the people who lived on this island before the Spanish came. I believe people were buried here from the first through the eight century. They stopped when the necropolis got too full. </p>
<p>--February 22, 2024 at 11:05 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=28.0970805%2C-15.6919&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=28.097081,-15.691900&ll=28.097081,-15.691900">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/28.0970805/-15.6919">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-22-2024-121247.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Feb 22, 2024 at 12:12 PM " id="id_fa3c_9e76_9ffd_e1e0"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>If you know how to extract the fruit from and Indian Prickly Pear you will find something that has an interesting flavor and certainly is edible. Belinda showed us how to get at the fruit (if you do it wrong you’ll have lots of spines in the fruit and then in your tongue). One extra side-effect is the rather colorful drippings the fruit leaves behind. Photo by Jonathan
A </p>
<p>--February 22, 2024 at 12:12 PM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=28.09078883333333%2C-15.683255&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=28.090789,-15.683255&ll=28.090789,-15.683255">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/28.09078883333333/-15.683255">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16916977482838143188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751014576163499345.post-90679500356928116392024-02-22T15:19:00.001-05:002024-02-22T15:19:26.103-05:00Gran Canaria, February 2024: Day 4 Roque Nublo and Caldera de Tejeda<p>Wind. I stepped out of my modern spacious room into the hotel hallway that was acting like a superb breezeway. Dad would exclaim that it was “freezing outside” though I personally think he exaggerates for effect here. The temperature is probably no lower than 60 °F (15 °C). Breakfast starts promptly at 07:30. The hotel has a rope blocking entry until a staff person comes at 07:30 on the dot to remove it and let people in. You’ll find a buffet with an assortment of food that will certainly meet the caloric needs of the body even if it doesn’t excite the taste buds. You aren’t staying here for a quality foodie experience.</p>
<p>Today we would take our nearly full bus into the center of the island. Roque Nublo is about 26 miles from here and that requires about 80 minutes to drive the twisting two-lane mountain roads. Vehicles, certainly larger ones like our bus, have to take care making some turns. It is not a fast drive. With a stop along the way to use bathrooms (and I should have taken a photo of the pony/donkey that ambled into the sidewalk that led to the bathrooms and blocked our path and didn’t seem to care) we reached the drop off point at about 10:35. The sky was clear and the temperature had warmed up nicely even though we were at about 5,200 feet above sea level. We elected to do the easier walk. The harder walk added an extra two miles that, if I understand things right, we would skip by driving to a second starting point.</p>
<p>The path to Roque Nublo sits on basalt and ash. It is a stone path that is quite wide: easily 6 feet oftentimes. The stone underfoot is stable and rough providing good purchase for shoes with grippy soles. If it were wet it would likely be awful. Over the about the next 0.9 miles we would ascend 500 feet. Sometimes that climb would be steep. No section was particularly long but you would have to step from rock to rock. For people with good balance this isn’t likely too big a concern but for me it is slower going especially on the way back down. </p>
<p>It’s a very popular trail. Easily scores of people from the very young to elderly were out on it. That would force pauses in our travel as one group of people would have to yield to another (the ascending one if rules of the road are being observered). Up and up we went. We passed through a stand of trees as views of the caldera spread out before us. In time we could look ahead and up and see Roque Nublo rising above the summit in its monolithic glory.</p>
<p>We lost a few people along the ascent up. They turned back and waited for us at the bus. For some the climb was steeper than they wanted to deal with; for one the issue was the yawning expanse of the caldera dropping off on one side. Mom and Dad decided to not forge ahead up the last couple of short ascents to the mesa where Roque Nublo and The Frog sit. I pushed on with the group the last 0.1 or so miles up some steeper, have to step-up (down) rocks, that took me the better part of 10 minutes to deal with. But Roque Nublo beckoned. The monolith rises 80 meters from the base though it doesn’t look like it is that tall. Of course, you are easily 250 meters from its base when you enter the mesa. We spread out and marveled at the rock formations and then drifted to the western edge of the mesa to gaze across a caldera and far out into the hazy distance where Mount Teide rose up claiming the honor of Spain’s highest point rising above the island of Tenerife. From the eastern edge Caldera de Tejeda (I think) falls away. From that vantage point The Frog looked more frog-like (toad-like). Though if you don’t see the bulbous protrusions you could think The Frog is a sitting dog in maybe the bulldog family with the squished face.</p>
<p>Going back down seemed to take longer than climbing up. It probably didn’t but it is, for me, more work. Sure we had to pause now and then to let an ascending group go by and the number of people on the path seemed to have increased but I don’t think that lengthened the time of our descent too much. We found Mom and Dad at the base of the last descent where Roque Nublo was easily visible. They’d grown tired of waiting for us. We had after all lingered at a couple places to get a short talk from our guide each time.</p>
<p>Within 40 minutes we had clamored down the steep-step-down-rocky bits plus the more common steady descent dropping back down 500 feet over the 0.9 miles back to the bus. Time enough to buy a Fanta at the mobile food stand and pile in for the short drive to the drop-off point for the second part of the walking today.</p>
<p>We had something like 4 miles to go with 600 feet of ascent and 1,100 feet of descent. Of course, those are the stats in the booklet and the booklet doesn’t seem to hold precisely to the reality on the ground (assuming my GPS tracks are accurate and I’ve no reason to believe they are not). We struck out on a wide dirt path, almost a road, that wound through a forest of various trees that were growing nowhere near as densely as the laurel forest we explored the previous day. I am sure some of the tree were pine trees or at least evergreen as we did trod upon some nice needle-covered ground. It was a fine afternoon as we passed by a “camp” for groups to rent. I think it might be similar to a place a group like the Scouts might use for overnight type activities that engage people in outside events including sports. There were basketball courts, an empty swimming pool, and many buildings. But that was just a place we would pass on our way to the rim (they say balcony) trail that winds around Caldera de Tejeda. We would spend the bulk of the walk working our way counter-clockwise along this gentle dirt path that is well maintained. It’s easy walking. The views across the caldera are spectacular. Now and then you can look out to the west and see Tenerife. I think the rock formation we sat across from at lunch may have been the one Belinda, our guide, called The Monk which we saw climbing to Roque Nublo.</p>
<p>Around we went, generally descending, passing through stands of trees now and then. We eventually came to a road but we were going to take a path that would contour around, up and down, several hills that the road passed by. Once again the footing was generally excellent with just an occasional bit of less good trail. The ascents were a bit steeper but not really steep especially compared to the Roque Nublo path. Descents were similar in quality though they were a bit longer. The last descent into Cruz de Tejeda was probably about 0.5 miles long but not really a challenge. We arrived in the village where the group doing the harder walk was waiting at about 15:30. That gave us enough time to visit bathrooms and have a drink. We had walked 3.75 miles over the last 2 hours and 45 minutes (including breaks). This time the booklet overstated the numbers. We enjoyed our walk around the caldera and if it wasn’t for the well over an hour drive each way I would give both walks a big thumbs up. If you do them just know you will have a lot of time on a bus.</p>
<p><strong>Stats</strong>
Rock Nublo: 1.8 miles out-and-back (if you go to the base it’s probably 2 miles). 500 feet of ascent and 500 feet of descent. Har d rock surface with sections of rough rock and uneven large step-up/down that will slow you down (well slowed me down). If the rock is wet it would be awful.</p>
<p>Caldera de Tejeda: 3.75 miles with 400 feet of ascent and 820 feet of descent. The bulk of the descent happens after you leave the rim trail. Ascents are mostly on the hills after the rim trail though there is some at the start. Dirt trails with excellent footing. Spectacular views.</p>
<h2>Photos</h2>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-21-2024-104909.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Feb 21, 2024 at 10:49 AM " id="id_ad45_9c4_ddde_82d9"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Near the start of the about 0.9 miles hike up a trail built atop the basalt mountainside that leads to Roque Nublo. </p>
<p>--February 21, 2024 at 10:49 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=27.96657166666667%2C-15.60298333333333&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=27.966572,-15.602983&ll=27.966572,-15.602983">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/27.96657166666667/-15.60298333333333" id="id_2407_9655_da8b_748b">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-21-2024-110736.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Feb 21, 2024 at 11:07 AM " id="id_2cc3_f7f9_f678_200d"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>The trail remains quite wide and has occassional steeper bits but for the most part is a steady climb up rock that is, at least when dry, providing pretty good footing. There have been spots where you have to step up more than I like. This little stretch of forest seems a bit odd in that it is here at all. </p>
<p>--February 21, 2024 at 11:07 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=27.96850833333333%2C-15.608155&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=27.968508,-15.608155&ll=27.968508,-15.608155">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/27.96850833333333/-15.608155">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-21-2024-113957.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Feb 21, 2024 at 11:39 AM " id="id_e8cb_6df3_b3e9_7c40"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>In the hazy distance you can see the highest peak in Spain rising up. Mount Teide is on the island of Tenerife which is about 35 miles west of me. </p>
<p>--February 21, 2024 at 11:39 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=27.9695%2C-15.61228833333333&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=27.969500,-15.612288&ll=27.969500,-15.612288">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/27.9695/-15.61228833333333" id="id_afb7_7fc4_2e5d_438b">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-21-2024-114639.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Feb 21, 2024 at 11:46 AM " id="id_9d7c_8f70_3109_2940"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Roque Nublo is on the right perhaps 500 feet away from where I am standing. It rises 80 meters though it doesn’t look like it. I don’t know if the rock on the left has an official name but Belinda says the locals refer to it as The Frog and I suppose I can see that. The last couple ascents while not long are a bit more challenging since the rocks are uneven and there are many larger steps to deal with. Normal people will still not have too much trouble. I think it took me about 7 minutes to make the last climb (and descent) of perhaps 300 trail feet that rose 40 feet.</p>
<p>--February 21, 2024 at 11:46 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=27.96960333333333%2C-15.61165333333333&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=27.969603,-15.611653&ll=27.969603,-15.611653">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/27.96960333333333/-15.61165333333333">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-21-2024-132234.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Feb 21, 2024 at 1:22 PM " id="id_c8e_75ee_f2cb_3ba4"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>It is hard to get a sense from the photo of how deep and wide this caldera is. We are walking counter-clockwise around a portion of the rim of Caldera de Tejeda. </p>
<p>--February 21, 2024 at 1:22 PM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=27.97731333333333%2C-15.58538666666667&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=27.977313,-15.585387&ll=27.977313,-15.585387">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/27.97731333333333/-15.58538666666667">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-21-2024-135152.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Feb 21, 2024 at 1:51 PM " id="id_4769_6593_92c4_4717"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>We had a nice lunch break at this spot. If we were really pushed for time I bet we could have left in 20 minutes instead of the half-hour we got to spend here.</p>
<p>--February 21, 2024 at 1:51 PM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=27.97896666666667%2C-15.58655833333333&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=27.978967,-15.586558&ll=27.978967,-15.586558">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/27.97896666666667/-15.58655833333333">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-21-2024-142051.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Feb 21, 2024 at 2:20 PM " id="id_6779_9a8b_e874_c5d9"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>We have been descending down towards the road. I think this may be the primary road that leads to our endpoint at Cruz de Tejeda. </p>
<p>--February 21, 2024 at 2:20 PM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=27.98524666666667%2C-15.59137&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=27.985247,-15.591370&ll=27.985247,-15.591370">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/27.98524666666667/-15.59137">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-21-2024-145850.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Feb 21, 2024 at 2:58 PM " id="id_9b41_2d0_4fca_bd39"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Looking back towards Mom and Dad as they come into view along this path that is contouring around several hills above a busy road. We have a couple short ascents on good paths and then a gentle half-mile-long descent into Cruz de Tejeda.</p>
<p>--February 21, 2024 at 2:58 PM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=27.99341166666667%2C-15.594045&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=27.993412,-15.594045&ll=27.993412,-15.594045">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/27.99341166666667/-15.594045">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-21-2024-184812.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Feb 21, 2024 at 6:48 PM " id="id_d7cc_b219_9610_29d4"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>In just a few miniutes the sun will set and the colors will have faded from the cliffs that plunge down into the Atlatic Ocean. </p>
<p>--February 21, 2024 at 6:48 PM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=28.10700283333333%2C-15.70846166666667&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=28.107003,-15.708462&ll=28.107003,-15.708462">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/28.10700283333333/-15.70846166666667">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-21-2024-185145.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Feb 21, 2024 at 6:51 PM " id="id_a701_ebb5_d352_537d"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Down Sol goes. Less than 5 minutes but the colors have faded from the rocks leaving just the sky around the Sun colorful shades of orange and dusky blue. </p>
<p>--February 21, 2024 at 6:51 PM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=28.10723616666667%2C-15.70796333333333&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=28.107236,-15.707963&ll=28.107236,-15.707963">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/28.10723616666667/-15.70796333333333">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16916977482838143188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751014576163499345.post-43119240996227290382024-02-21T12:51:00.001-05:002024-02-21T12:52:19.899-05:00Gran Canaria, February 2024: The First Days
<p>While we have been here since Sunday I am going to gloss over our brief time in Las Palmas and the extra-long time it took to reach the Gran Caneria. Suffice to say that our trip did not get off to a smooth start as our flight from Frankfurt, Germany to Las Palmas, Gran Canaria was cancelled. We were stuck spending a day twiddling our thumbs in Boston either in the hotel that Lufthansa put us up at (the Airport Hilton which was rather impressive though the food was only mediocre) or in Logan Airport. We lost a day of our trip to this delay and ended up also eating the cost of our rooms at the hotel in Las Palmas. Sometimes life hands you lemons and there is no way to turn them into something even close to lemonade. </p>
<p>When we arrived in Las Palmas we were tired in spirit if less so in body. Did the drive under seemingly smoggy skies through a less=pretty part of Las Palmas influence that? Maybe. We got settled into our tiny rooms with no views and then did some minimal exploration of the historical center of the capitol. We saw enough to know there is more to see and we got a glimpse of the cathedral every guide says you should enter and climb to the roof and spire. We did not do this. We found a small cafe and had a pretty tasty meal of vegetable samosas, a goat-meat stew with potatoes and chickpeas (largest I’ve ever seen), and a similar stew with chicken. It was surprisingly good. A short stroll down part of the Tirana pedestrian way showed us that you can’t go even a full block without passing by a coffe shop that features wonderful looking and no doubt sumptuous baked goods. We need these places back home. We found some ice cream (those shops are almost as common) before calling it a night as the sun dipped below the horizon and twilight was quickly coming to its end. </p>
<p>After a good night’s sleep in our very modern-inspired designed rooms and a nice breakfast we had a few hours before we would take a taxi to Agaete and the Occidental Roca Negra Hotel. The morning was if not quite clear than sunny and warm. The sky appears laden with smog but it is actually dust that is blowing across the ocean from the Sahara Desert. We had a nice breakfast and then did a little more exploring of the main shopping area which is close to the hotel. Besides the many shops and such we saw I think we will remember Las Palmas for the number of small and very small dogs we saw. Generally very well behaved, non-yippy, dogs. Dogs of various breeds in miniature form including one that was being held in the palms of one man’s hands. What is smaller than a lapdog? That one sure was.</p>
<h2>* * * ** * * ** * * *</h2>
<p>We arrived at the Occidental Roca Negra Hotel in Agaete around 12:30. We had a few hours to relax before the rest of the HF group would arrive. We spent that time settling in, having a bite to eat (the couscous salad was good; the hot ham and cheese sandwich lacked substance, the french fries hot and good enough), and relaxing at the pool. A little exploration down the paved path that curls down to the sea from the top of the bluff the hotel sits upon to a black sand lava-rock strewn beach below capped our last few hours by ourselves. It was a good way to get into a nice mindset for the upcoming days. That might have been a bit harder to do when the other 26 (I think) people showed up in two waves between 16:00 and 17:00 (4:00 and 5:00PM). We took a walk down into the village of Agaete to a nearby grocery store. It will certainly have more than enough options for our lunch and snack needs. After climbing back out of the sea-side village we had just enough time to sort things out before the first real meet and greet of the trip (sure we all walked down to the store together but that doesn’t count). That ended with our first meal together: buffet dinner. I hope the food gets better.</p>
<p>Breakfast was better. We will just quietly ignore the fact that you probably have to work hard to mess up scrambled and fried eggs, yogurt, hot and cold cereal, a selection of breads and croissant’s, fruit, and other stuff including some remarkably tasty donuts. We got ready to join the group and completely fill our bus. At 08:40 we met one of our local guides: Paco. An interesting effect of Brexit has been that HF no longer can use their own volunteers to lead walks in EU countries. You can make a good arguement that employing local people to lead the walk will give superior results as they are local but some of the charm has now been leached away. More proof, it seems to me, that Brexit was a bad idea. The other downside of local guides, conquering their accents, will eventually be dealt with. Certainly Belinda’s accent is easier to contend with but we got to hear her in better environments (the easier walk) while Paco was talking to us on a noisy bus and in the hotel lobby.</p>
<p>After a 40 minute bus ride along minor roads that twisted through the mountains of northern Gran Canaria we reached our dropoff point near the village of Teror and the nature reserve/working farms of Finco Osorio. The group divided up almost evenly in half and Mom, Dad, and I joined the easier walk. The reported stats were a 5.5 mile hike with 300 feet of ascent and 400 feet of descent along trails, country lanes (more akin to two-tracks or small mountain roads), and sidewalks along busy roads leading into the village of Teror. The people doing the longer walk would some of what we would do and add a summit climb over the local mountain Osorio Pico de Rayo (another 0.75 miles and extra 700 feet of ascent and descent I think). The morning was much clearer and the temperature pleasant. </p>
<p>It really was an easy walk. The bulk of the ascent (the number appear to be somewhat off) happened within the first mile along well-maintained and used mountain paths that wound through a lovely dense and dark forest. This is a laurel forest. Prior to the arrival and conquest of the people already here by the Spanish in the late 15th century these forest were far larger. What remains may be about 1% the size of what once was. It is a lovely forest. The ravine that Belinda took us into was definitely the highpoint of the morning. Give yourself even a minute of silence to inhale fragrances, listen to the call of various birds, gaze up and up and up along the nearly 80 meter high walls of the ravine. It’s a wonderful spot that I can well understand why Paco makes sure he visits whether leading the easier or harder walk. </p>
<p>We left the trails to wokr our way through working farm fields that I think are part of the nature reserve that is Finco Osorio. This is a 220 hectares (about 500 acres) plot that is being allowed to re-wild I think. However, farmer who lived here before it was acquired by the government can still farm. We passed by several potato fields. Our walk along small forest roads was interrupted by the frequent cries of roosters, the jingling of cowbells in the distance, and a few dogs that were probably a bit too eager to see us (and certainly let us know they were boss of the land). By the time we we stopped for lunch it was clear to me that we either were going to do a shorter walk than we were told or that we had better speed up considerably. We didn’t really speed up and the walk was shorter. I don’t know if Belinda shortened it or not though I am not sure, after we left the trails, that she could have. The gentle road walk was nice enough and even the walk on pavement sidewalks along a busy road into Teror proper was not bad.</p>
<p><strong>Stats</strong>
Distance: 4.4 miles. Acent: 470 feet. Descent 650 feet. Clear and sunny. A perfect day for a walk. Footing was excellent throughout. The majority of the ascent would be in the first 2 miles and most of that within the first 0.5 miles (roughly). The bulk of the descent was in the last 2.4 miles and pretty consistently gradual throughout.</p>
<h2>Photos</h2>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-19-2024-100522.JPG" alt="Photo taken Feb 19, 2024 at 10:05 AM " id="id_bc7e_1682_8050_c699"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Walking down Triana which is a lengthy pedestrian street full of cafes, coffee shops, and stores. It is at the heart of Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. </p>
<p>--February 19, 2024 at 10:05 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=28.10803616666667%2C-15.41718666666667&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=28.108036,-15.417187&ll=28.108036,-15.417187">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/28.10803616666667/-15.41718666666667">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-19-2024-142058.JPG" alt="Photo taken Feb 19, 2024 at 2:20 PM " id="id_b6c0_3886_9a32_9aa0"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Standing on top of the cliffs just north of our hotel in Agaete, Gran Canaria. The sunsets should be wonderful here. </p>
<p>--February 19, 2024 at 2:20 PM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=28.10735283333333%2C-15.70779666666667&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=28.107353,-15.707797&ll=28.107353,-15.707797">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/28.10735283333333/-15.70779666666667">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-20-2024-103510.JPG" alt="Photo taken Feb 20, 2024 at 10:35 AM " id="id_7fe0_a1a5_bdc5_8ac4"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>The photo doesn’t do the ravine justice. The upcoming video does show the depth of the ravine a bit more clearly. It’s a love spot that if you give yourself even a half-minute of silence will reward you with feast for the senses. </p>
<p>--February 20, 2024 at 10:35 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=28.07243616666667%2C-15.54917833333333&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=28.072436,-15.549178&ll=28.072436,-15.549178">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/28.07243616666667/-15.54917833333333">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-20-2024-143806.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Feb 20, 2024 at 2:38 PM " id="id_a3dc_6c35_9f0c_21ba"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>An Indian Laurel tree is the true centerpiece of the plaza here in the village of Teror. I suppose the church is nice (we did not go in) but this tree is remarkable. </p>
<p>--February 20, 2024 at 2:38 PM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=28.0593305%2C-15.54742166666667&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=28.059331,-15.547422&ll=28.059331,-15.547422">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/28.0593305/-15.54742166666667">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-20-2024-141256.JPG" alt="Photo taken Feb 20, 2024 at 2:12 PM " id="id_7a2b_3e71_7cca_33"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>I don’t know how they got the tree to grow into each other but it a pretty sight. This is in the village of Teror which is the endpoint of our first day’s hike. </p>
<p>--February 20, 2024 at 2:12 PM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=28.05928883333333%2C-15.54833666666667&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=28.059289,-15.548337&ll=28.059289,-15.548337">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/28.05928883333333/-15.54833666666667">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/February-20-2024-141317.JPG" alt="Photo taken Feb 20, 2024 at 2:13 PM " id="id_b7bf_71a8_2996_9d1d"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>We had a snack at a cafe - nothing compared to the love coffee shops we saw in Las Palmas - and then had some time to kill. Watching the antics of this red junglefowl helped pass the time before we re-joined the group to walk the couple hundred meters to the bus for the 40 minute ride back to the hotel. </p>
<p>--February 20, 2024 at 2:13 PM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=28.05945833333333%2C-15.54808666666667&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=28.059458,-15.548087&ll=28.059458,-15.548087">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/28.05945833333333/-15.54808666666667">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/Image.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Feb 20, 2024 at 6:57 PM " id="id_b4f6_e201_9c23_1334"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>I just missed sunset. Looking to the north in the top photo;looking northwest at where the sun was moments ago. </p>
<p>--February 20, 2024 at 6:57 PM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=28.10713616666667%2C-15.70806166666667&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=28.107136,-15.708062&ll=28.107136,-15.708062">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/28.10713616666667/-15.70806166666667">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16916977482838143188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751014576163499345.post-39168969064342807542024-01-09T16:59:00.001-05:002024-01-09T16:59:57.249-05:00Our Nearly Annual Trip to Tucson, Arizona, December 2023
<p>We have been visiting Tucson around this time of year for about a week over the past 25 years. We have a variety of hikes we consistently like to do. Some hikes we have not done in many years. Some hikes we used to do consistently have now fallen by the wayside for  various reasons. Times change. What follows is a photo essay for our most recent trip to Tucson. </p>
<p><em>Note: Some maps are different in appearance. It was easier to present them that way and not make them all consistent. The blue dots on some of the maps are 1/2 mile apart from each other.</em>
</p>
<h2>Day 1</h2>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/IMG_0360.JPG" alt="Map overview of the hike: A loop from Broadway to near Garwood Dam" id="id_4c9b_12b3_6b94_bab7"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Our first hike would follow a lollipop-like path from the Broadway Trailhead. It ended up not quite being what we initially planned. We start and end at the Broadway Boulevard trailhead (TH) and head east. We turned north and then curled back south along Monument Wash. From there we follow a loop clockwise that will get us close to Garwood Dam. After closing the loops we retrace our outbound trail back to the car. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/December-28-2023-102509.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Dec 28, 2023 at 10:25 AM " id="id_ec85_c951_4e68_e65d"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>The trails in the Pink Hills area (Saguaro National Park eastern district) are numerous and it is easy to do something other than what you initially planned. But our errors in navigation let us encounter some groups of horse riders that I don’t think we would have otherwise met. </p>
<p>--December 28, 2023 at 10:25 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=32.22713%2C-110.70552&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=32.227130,-110.705520&ll=32.227130,-110.705520">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/32.22713/-110.70552">OpenTopoMap map</a></p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Day 2</h2>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/IMG_0361.JPEG" alt="Map overview of our Catalina Canyon Loop hike. " id="id_a055_b708_5cc_e023"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>We like this loop hike in Catalina State Park. However, our side trip to the Montrose Pools was a bust: no water was flowing. In fact, no water was visible anywhere which is a first for us. Follow us from the trailhead to the out-and-back, 0.5 miles one way, spur to Montrose Pool. Continue counterclockwise to complete the hike. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/December-29-2023-112445.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Dec 29, 2023 at 11:24 AM " id="id_df79_5458_f1e2_1043"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>I should have checked to be sure I took this photo from the same vantage as a superb shot I managed of this Saguaro cactus a few years back. But it is still an impressive cacti along the Catalina Canyon Loop trail. This year there was no water flowing anywhere along the trail which is a first for us. In fact, it has seemed drier in general this year. </p>
<p>--December 29, 2023 at 11:24 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=32.43101166666667%2C-110.9000383333333&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=32.431012,-110.900038&ll=32.431012,-110.900038">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/32.43101166666667/-110.9000383333333">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Day 3</h2>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/January-09-2024-112600.JPEG" alt="Map overview of our hike in Madera Canyon. " id="id_1401_4e3_af85_5023"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>This turned out to be rather more challenging a hike than we thought it would be. I think it was tougher than it was when we last did it in 2008 (which we really weren’t sure of). Mom found the general ascent enjoyable. The slog between Bog Spring and Kent Spring was the worst for me; the descent from near Kent Spring to the end was worst for Dad. I’ve provided a bit more detail here. The blue dots are 0.5 miles apart. The start and end of the hike is at the upper left purple line terminus. You can see where Bog Spring and Kent Spring are by the orange pins. Sylvester Spring is about 0.5 miles west of Kent Spring. </p>
<p>We start and end at the picnic area. Heading east and then southerly to the start of the loop. At this point we travel clockwise past Bog Spring, continue up - and a little down - to Kent Spring, descend steeply past Sylvester Spring, and finish the loop. We finish by retracing the last mile down to the picnic area. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/December-30-2023-100918.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Dec 30, 2023 at 10:09 AM " id="id_9fb4_d512_af57_7230"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>After the mighty Saguaro cactus I think the Sonoran desert seems to be best noted for the wide variety of cholla cactus species. Perhaps this is because cholla exist at a wide variety of elevations. Here is a Cane Cholla not that far from the Madera Canyon Picnic Area Trailhead. This is the start of what would prove to be a long, rock-strewn, steady climb towards Bog Spring. Photo by Judy Knight </p>
<p>--December 30, 2023 at 10:09 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=31.72686166666667%2C-110.87967&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=31.726862,-110.879670&ll=31.726862,-110.879670">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/31.72686166666667/-110.87967">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/December-30-2023-105128.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Dec 30, 2023 at 10:51 AM " id="id_5efd_57ed_3668_1b88"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>We are moving slowly. At this point the footing is actually pretty good and there are no drop offs to worry about. But this is a steady climb and we aren’t as young as we were 15 years earlier which is when we last did this hike (we figured that out when Mom returned home and was able to check notes in an older version of the trails book we like by Betty Leavengood - Tucson:Hiking Guide). </p>
<p>--December 30, 2023 at 10:51 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=31.721505%2C-110.8729083333333&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=31.721505,-110.872908&ll=31.721505,-110.872908">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/31.721505/-110.8729083333333">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/December-30-2023-113425.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Dec 30, 2023 at 11:34 AM " id="id_5a9c_cad6_e374_5f1a"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Getting closer to Bog Spring. The trail is narrowing and the drop off is steep and long. But the views as we creep through the forest are sometimes quite good. </p>
<p>--December 30, 2023 at 11:34 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=31.72141666666667%2C-110.8682633333333&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=31.721417,-110.868263&ll=31.721417,-110.868263">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/31.72141666666667/-110.8682633333333">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/December-30-2023-130048.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Dec 30, 2023 at 1:00 PM " id="id_1c27_cbe_3a6b_5b4c"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>We stopped at Bog Spring for lunch. Now we are plodding along a narrow, maybe two-feet wide, shale strewn, trail with a perilous drop-off on one side. We have hiked perhaps 2.0 miles gaining about 1,300 feet in elevation. We are still a few hundred feet below our high point and maybe three quarters of a mile from Kent Spring. Mom is finding the climb a real challenge. I loathe the footing. Dad is doing alright. But we are creeping up at less than one mile-per-hour at this point. The views are expansive and special but hard to really enjoy. </p>
<p>--December 30, 2023 at 1:00 PM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=31.71881166666667%2C-110.86377&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=31.718812,-110.863770&ll=31.718812,-110.863770">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/31.71881166666667/-110.86377">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/December-30-2023-142500.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Dec 30, 2023 at 2:25 PM " id="id_ffac_41ce_9557_53a3"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Kent Spribg is a small wet area just beyond this sign. From now on, with a few short breaks, the trail will descend at times steeply. Photos by Judy and Ken. </p>
<p>--December 30, 2023 at 2:25 PM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=%2C&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16//">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/December-30-2023-143100.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Dec 30, 2023 at 2:31 PM " id="id_8aa8_61da_309d_86db"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>This is one of the steeper bits of trail between Kent Spring and Sylvester Spring. Mom is moving with ease; Ken is doing better though the descent is still tough; Dad does not like it at all. As Mom shot a bit of video it took Dad and Ken about 40 seconds to reach her. Photo by Judy </p>
<p>--December 30, 2023 at 2:31 PM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=%2C&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16//">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/December-30-2023-161426.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Dec 30, 2023 at 4:14 PM " id="id_7f1c_dd02_a135_4f75"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>We have about one mile to go and the sun is starting to create a lovely glow on the mountains. </p>
<p>--December 30, 2023 at 4:14 PM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=31.71992%2C-110.8724533333333&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=31.719920,-110.872453&ll=31.719920,-110.872453">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/31.71992/-110.8724533333333">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/December-30-2023-172540.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Dec 30, 2023 at 5:25 PM " id="id_3008_c99_e319_cd70"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>That last mile took a while. We probably should have walked past Kent Spring Csbin to the road and taken it back to the trailhead. We would’ve still had to descend a few hundred feet but a road walk would have been easier even if a bit lengthier. We finished just a little after 5:00PM and this is a view from the car as we leave Madeira Canyon. We were on the trail for just over 7 hours and took 95 minutes in breaks. Especially between Bog Springand Kent Spring we were moving well below 1.0 mile-per-hour. </p>
<p>--December 30, 2023 at 5:25 PM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=31.74900833333333%2C-110.887725&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=31.749008,-110.887725&ll=31.749008,-110.887725">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/31.74900833333333/-110.887725">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Day 4</h2>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/December-31-2023-121400.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Dec 31, 2023 at 12:14 PM " id="id_f1db_708_7aa9_b202"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Besides the butterflies in the butterfly house in the Tucson Botanical Garden, the garden does a nice job presenting the flora of the region. </p>
<p>--December 31, 2023 at 12:14 PM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=32.24812%2C-110.9090366666667&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=32.248120,-110.909037&ll=32.248120,-110.909037">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/32.24812/-110.9090366666667">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Day 5</h2>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/IMG_0363.JPEG" alt="Map overview of our hike to n the desert floor near the old Tucson Studios. " id="id_a853_2aec_1c6c_fb35"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>This loop in the western district of Saguaro National Park is nice enough but the desert sounds are frequently interrupted by gunfire from a nearby shooting range. We did start and end at the trailhead (TH) but I neglected to start recording our walk counterclockwise along the Ironwood Loop Trail for about 0.5 miles. Where the yellow line starts is the place I realized my error. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/January-01-2024-093649.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jan 1, 2024 at 9:36 AM " id="id_196_cdb4_bff8_6c3e"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>We are at the start of the David Yetman trail. It has some shade as it winds up into the Tucson Mountains past the stone remains of Ruby and Sherry Bowen house. We have done this trail before (for example <a href="http://awanderingknight.blogspot.com/2020/01/david-yegtman-tral-camino-de-oeste-to.html">this hike</a>) and hoped our legs wouldn’t complain. </p>
<p>--January 1, 2024 at 9:36 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=32.22632166666666%2C-111.0628138333333&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=32.226322,-111.062814&ll=32.226322,-111.062814">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/32.22632166666666/-111.0628138333333">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/January-01-2024-100412.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jan 1, 2024 at 10:04 AM " id="id_8bfc_8a84_355a_76a2"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Dad’s legs were quite unhappy with even modest descents so after hiking in a half mile we turned around to find trails on the far flatter desert floor. On the way back this slowly moving cloud streak caught our attention as it drifted to the right above the line of Saguaro cacti. </p>
<p>--January 1, 2024 at 10:04 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=32.22152166666667%2C-111.0636666666667&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=32.221522,-111.063667&ll=32.221522,-111.063667">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/32.22152166666667/-111.0636666666667">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/January-01-2024-105900.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jan 1, 2024 at 10:59 AM " id="id_db9_1bbc_835a_e4c6"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Here in this part of the western district of Saguaro National Park the desert seems much flatter than what you find in the Pink Hills area. We are all still feeling the effects from the Madera Canyon hike so a hike with little elevation change might be a bit dull but physically easy. The morning had been sunny earlier but clouds have made a rare appearance on a slightly blustery day. </p>
<p>Top: facing west in the direction we are following the Ironwood Loop Trail. Bottom: facing southeast towards the mountains (Golden Gate Pass) from whence we came. </p>
<p>--January 1, 2024 at 10:59 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=%2C&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16//">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/January-01-2024-105922.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jan 1, 2024 at 10:59 AM " id="id_ad4f_40cf_778b_e60c"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Here in this part of the western district of Saguaro National Park the desert seems much flatter than what you find in the Pink Hills area. We are all still feeling the effects from the Madeira Canyon hike so a hike with little elevation change might be a bit dull but physically easy. </p>
<p>--January 1, 2024 at 10:59 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=32.212975%2C-111.13375&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=32.212975,-111.133750&ll=32.212975,-111.133750">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/32.212975/-111.13375">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/January-01-2024-132553.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jan 1, 2024 at 1:25 PM " id="id_1511_1fac_9f63_6ac9"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>We are about 3.7 miles into this 4.2 or so miles hike. We have seen a couple other hikers and several bikers today. </p>
<p>--January 1, 2024 at 1:25 PM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=32.20503833333333%2C-111.1258305&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=32.205038,-111.125831&ll=32.205038,-111.125831">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/32.20503833333333/-111.1258305">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Day 6</h2>
<p>On a day that we did not hike, we visited for the first time the Saint Xavier Mission.</p>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/January-02-2024-100531.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jan 2, 2024 at 10:05 AM " id="id_e690_ce50_406b_114f"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>The photo is misleading. It’s not nearly this bright inside the San Xavier Mission. It dark and what are likely pretty ornate art featuring all sorts of catholic iconography are really hard to see. </p>
<p>--January 2, 2024 at 10:05 AM.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/January-02-2024-104748.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jan 2, 2024 at 10:47 AM " id="id_9319_c241_6f7b_306c"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>The San Xaviermission was established in 1692 by Father Eusebio Kino. The present building was built between 1783 and 1797 and is the oldest European structure in Arizona. I think the building is more remarkable than what it contains but no doubt my lack of knowledge about Catholic art and what it means combined with low vision (and a dark interior) account for some of this opinion. The two towers are different colors. It’s not a trick of the camera. </p>
<p>--January 2, 2024 at 10:47 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=32.106175%2C-111.0079277833333&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=32.106175,-111.007928&ll=32.106175,-111.007928">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/32.106175/-111.0079277833333">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Day 7</h2>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/IMG_0406.JPEG" alt="map overview of our hike loop from Speedway to Garwood Dam " id="id_4756_3189_b2b1_2a8e"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Back to the Pink Hills but this time starting at the Speedway trailhead. We intended to have lunch at Garwood Dam. </p>
<p>We start and end at the Speedway Boulevard trailhead (TH) and head first south on the desert floor before starting our clockwise ascent towards Three Tanks. We descend towards Garwood Dam eventually closing the loop near the desert floor. At that point we retrace our outbound hike back to the trailhead. We were on trails for 3 hours and 40 minutes. We took almost an hour in breaks. The bulk of the 420 feet of ascent and descent is in the loop which is about 2 miles. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/January-03-2024-101259.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jan 3, 2024 at 10:12 AM " id="id_d657_232d_92f0_55f3"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>This will be our last day and hike in Tucson and we have returned to the Pink Hills below the Rincon Mountains. We are determined to have lunch at Garwood Dam. At this point we are climbing up off the desert floor along Wildhorse Tank Trail. It’s a lovely morning. One thing we prefer about this region over the desert floor by the Old Tucson Film Stufio where we were on New Years Day) is the quiet. There, really most of the time, you hear gunfire from a shooting range. Here once out of earshot of Broadway and Speedway you just have (mostly) the sounds of the desert. </p>
<p>--January 3, 2024 at 10:12 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=32.218845%2C-110.6859583333333&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=32.218845,-110.685958&ll=32.218845,-110.685958">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/32.218845/-110.6859583333333">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/January-03-2024-103209.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jan 3, 2024 at 10:32 AM " id="id_7413_c426_2824_c632"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Look closely and you’ll see what I believe is a Common Raven sitting atop a Saguaro cactus. We heard its croaking call as we neared (though surely a ways off) and moved away for several minutes. </p>
<p>--January 3, 2024 at 10:32 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=32.21815%2C-110.6848616666667&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=32.218150,-110.684862&ll=32.218150,-110.684862">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/32.21815/-110.6848616666667">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/January-03-2024-111437.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jan 3, 2024 at 11:14 AM " id="id_8946_191e_fef1_b485"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>--January 3, 2024 at 11:14 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=32.21489666666667%2C-110.68782&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=32.214897,-110.687820&ll=32.214897,-110.687820">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/32.21489666666667/-110.68782">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/January-03-2024-114913.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jan 3, 2024 at 11:49 AM " id="id_8202_1cfb_2ab7_7b3"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Out in direct sunlight it feels much warmer than the forecast temperature. An occasional breeze cools you down but it is certainly a fine day for shirt sleeves and shorts. We have just finished lunch by Garwood Dam. There are a few routes back to our car at the Speedway Boulevard trailhead and we will take a shorter one there. The curved wall behind Mom is the top of the dam.</p>
<p>--January 3, 2024 at 11:49 AM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=32.21438833333333%2C-110.6910383333333&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=32.214388,-110.691038&ll=32.214388,-110.691038">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/32.21438833333333/-110.6910383333333">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/January-03-2024-125021.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jan 3, 2024 at 12:50 PM " id="id_4171_1f77_5937_5fde"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Almost back to the trailhead. Here comes Mom knowing the car is minutes away. This 4.25 or so mile hike was a nice way to wrap up our week in Tucson. </p>
<p>--January 3, 2024 at 12:50 PM.</p>
<p>Maps are centered on the photo: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@?api=1&map_action=map&center=32.23385333333334%2C-110.689605&zoom=16&basemap=satellite">Google map</a>, <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?q=32.233853,-110.689605&ll=32.233853,-110.689605">Apple map</a>, <a href="https://opentopomap.org/#map=16/32.23385333333334/-110.689605">OpenTopoMap map</a> </p>
</blockquote>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16916977482838143188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751014576163499345.post-56971488770176146112023-12-26T21:51:00.001-05:002023-12-26T21:51:22.807-05:00Christmas Eve 2023 Dinner
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://youtube.com/watch?v=RsEwr2TL-gc&si=u5QvWTH3ASJdLMTE" title="Play Christmas Eve 2023 Dinner"><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/RsEwr2TL-gc.JPEG" alt="Play video Christmas Eve 2023 Dinner " id="id_5042_88c8_85e7_d57d"></a><br>
<a href="https://youtube.com/watch?v=RsEwr2TL-gc&si=u5QvWTH3ASJdLMTE">▶️ Play Christmas Eve 2023 Dinner</a></p>
</blockquote>
<p><em>Written with a nod to over-the-top prose found in epic (or not so epic) fantasy.</em> </p>
<p>The done of a lightly smoked ham lays on the counter cut in a vaguely cris-crossing pattern to trap the locally made beer infused mustard. The mustard will, in turn, capture the ancho chili and brown sugar accented with cinnamon spice rub. Over the course of the long night the minor hill of the ham, for it is a mere foothill compared to a true representative of the holiday ham, will rest in the refrigerator giving the patted-in spice rub a chance to settle into the meat. </p>
<p>
<img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/December-24-2023-103417.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Dec 24, 2023 at 10:34 AM " id="id_fb94_6cdd_4342_d9df"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Top: The ham has been lightly scored with a knife to help let the flavors of the binder, spice rub, and eventually the glaze seep into the meat. Here you see the beer infused mustard.
Bottom: the spice rub has been applied. It’s a blend of equal parts onion powder, chili powder, and paprika; a half part ground cinnamon; and 12 parts (or somewhat more) brown sugar.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/December-24-2023-160900.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Dec 24, 2023 at 4:09 PM " id="id_cdf9_9db_3318_c296"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>The fog has been hanging about all day but it’s a bit less dense now. The ham has rested for a while after cooking for a bit more than two hours. We settle down to enjoy the main course after devouring pierogis and smoked beet salad with toasted pine nuts and feta cheese with a maple syrup balsamic dressing. Photo by Deb Salveta.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>After resting the more flavorful ham is treated to the touch of a low smoky fire. The heat and smoke seep into the ham bring their own flavors to the meat as its temperatures rises to a wonderfully heated state. As that point approaches a final coat of maple syrup blended with the warm spices of nutmeg and sugar all carried along by sumptuous melted butter and a touch of acid from orange juice bring the ham to its final glory.
</p>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/December-24-2023-161927.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Dec 24, 2023 at 4:19 PM " id="id_be12_61c6_7513_ae68"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>After warming up within a 270 °F Weber Kettle under the influence of apple wood to acquire a bit more smoke the maple syrup glazed ham is being sliced for dinner. </p>
</blockquote>
<p>This succulent ham features a wonderfully sweet buttery maple outer shell with just a bit of chili zing. You bite into tender meat full of flavor and a touch of smoke. A fine main course augmented by a beet salad that is sweet and savory from the pastrami-esque flavors infused into the red and white beets. Those beets blend with the toasted pine nuts and salty feta cheese. All coated in a bit of maple syrups vinaigrette dressing. The main meal is made complete with a selection of pierogis.</p>
<h2>Ham Recipe</h2>
<p>This was a pre-cooked smoked ham. You could eat it right away if you desired but I had plans for the ham. I coated it with a mustard binder and then added the spice rub. Use whatever you desire. I let the rub infuse into the lightly scored meat overnight before placing the ham within a 250 ºF smoker. When it passed 110 ºF internal temperature I added the maple syrup glaze.I applied the glze a couple of times until the ham reached an internal temperature of 145-150 ºF at which point I took it off the smoker and allowed it to rest for 15 minutes before serving.</p>
<h3>The Rub</h3>
<p>These amounts are approximate. Go with how it tastes.</p>
<ul>
<li>1 oz brown sugar per 2 pounds</li>
<li>1/4 tsp onion powder</li>
<li>per 2 pounds</li>
<li>1/4 tsp paproka per 2 pounds</li>
<li>1/4 tsp chili powder per 2 pounds</li>
<li>1/8 tsp cinnamon (or maybe nutmeg) per 2 pounds</li>
</ul>
<h3>The Glaze</h3>
<p>These numbers are again approximate. It is best to go by how it tastes to you once you have thoroughly mixed the glaze.</p>
<ul>
<li>3/4 cup maple syrup</li>
<li>1/3 cup brown sugar</li>
<li>1/8 cup apple juice (orange if it's all you have)</li>
<li>1 ounce butter</li>
<li>Pinch of cinnamon and/or nutmeg</li>
</ul>
<h2>Beet Salad</h2>
<p>This recipe was inspired by a video I found on YouTube from the <a href="https://youtu.be/cYTm6NWxOFI?si=TwyXNOOQoD8WEK9P">Texas barbecue restaurant LeRoy and Lewis</a>. I am sure my amounts of spices are different from what they use. However, this is a technique you can find employed by many people. </p>
<h3>Ingredients</h3>
<ul>
<li>Beets (about 1.5 pounds for 4-6 people)</li>
</ul>
<p>For the brine</p>
<ul>
<li>Enough water to cover the beets. Make a 4% salinity solution (if you have a comparable amount of water by weight to your beets this will give them about 2% salt). Same amount of sugar. Equal parts coriander seeds (toast them for fuller flavor), black pepper - about 1 teaspoon per liter; maybe half parts cinnamon, nutmeg, star anise, cloves, garlic</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Rub:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>1 part ground black pepper</li>
<li>0.5 parts brown sugar , ground coriander </li>
</ul>
<h3>Instructions</h3>
<ol>
<li>Steam the beas till tender,about 45 minutes (temp about 200 F).</li>
<li>Peel the beets and place in the brine overnight.</li>
<li>Remove from the brine and Pat dry before putting the dry rub on. </li>
<li>Smoke the beats at about 250° F until done. Smoke about 45 minutes.</li>
</ol>
<p>For a beet salad, add a few ounces of goat cheese (feta works well), toasted pecans or pine nuts, a bit of lemon juice or other vinaigrette style dressing (maple vinaigrette is good).</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16916977482838143188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751014576163499345.post-39641966123777282782023-11-14T12:00:00.001-05:002023-11-14T15:40:13.043-05:00A Trip of Conspicuous Consumption - A Day in Boulder, Colorado<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://youtube.com/watch?v=EQ0jGOpdypo&si=IGFUmBx_k-0MKRD_" title="Play Day in Boulder, CO. "><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/EQ0jGOpdypo.JPEG" alt="Play video Day in Boulder, CO. " id="id_5a6e_d00_d9bd_eb39"></a><br>
<a href="https://youtube.com/watch?v=EQ0jGOpdypo&si=IGFUmBx_k-0MKRD_">▶️ Play Day in Boulder, CO. </a></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Between leaf peeping season and ski season there must be a lull in travel to Denver, Colorado. Frontier Airlines runs round-trip flights between Detroit and Denver for about $50. Of course, that’s just the base fare. If you want to check a bag or even use the overhead you are going to pay more. However, with a bit of care and maybe not too much conspicuous consumption you can make a quick trip to the Mountain West for very little money. Andy and I have done this before. It’s time to do it again. </p>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/November-11-2023-120729.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Nov 11, 2023 at 10:07 PM " id="id_504_70b4_56_fc35"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Walking down Pearl Street in Boulder. There are places with hour-long lines for breakfast nearby. We found Illegal Pete’s and had massive tasty burritos - no waiting (that would change later in the day). Now it’s time to explore. Andy, in his Bushcraft Spain, poncho leads the way. </p>
<p>—November 11, 2023 at 10:07 PM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/November-11-2023-133950.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Nov 11, 2023 at 11:39 AM " id="id_a26b_6f80_4c64_4c77"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>While the outdoor stores like Montbell, Fjallraven, Patagonia, and others are the main draw don’t forget places like The Poster store. Photo by Andy Mytys </p>
<p>—November 11, 2023 at 11:39 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/November-11-2023-164905.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Nov 11, 2023 at 2:49 PM " id="id_c3f7_7b1b_3480_6084"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>If shopping isn’t enough maybe you’ll catch a street performance like this one by Sam Malcolm. It was more fun for his interaction with the audience than the jiggling which was good too. </p>
<p>—November 11, 2023 at 2:49 PM. </p><p><br></p><h2>What Did We Get?</h2><div><div>Let’s see: a pair of nice leather gloves - for use mostly around the fire or when dealing with wood, a very soft and warm balaclava, long john bottoms, a trekking pole that I then returned because even though it folds real small - about 12” - I wasn’t sure I could take it as carry-on (I’ve bought it from the online store), a pair of comfy house/travel slippers.</div><div><br></div><div> Andy bought a scarf, leather gloves, Nomex gloves, hiking insoles, a very light travel bag, slippets, and something else. He also got a haircut to tame the mass. </div></div>
</blockquote>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16916977482838143188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751014576163499345.post-45014831434725722562023-11-08T19:41:00.001-05:002023-11-10T14:43:05.058-05:00An Overnight at Blind Lake, Pinckney Recreation Area, Michigan
<p>I’ve done very little backpacking or camping this year. In fact, I think this is my first true backpacking trip of the year: a single night out. I wish I could say my (mis)adventures are directly related to the fact that I’ve not been out much. I think that it would just end up being one of those things. You’ll have to watch the video to learn what I am talking about.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://youtube.com/watch?v=sBuy9FjrBgE&si=n8pVNZJxehwEU2C9" title="Play Overnight at Blind Lake"><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/sBuy9FjrBgE.JPG" alt="Play video Overnight at Blind Lake " id="id_6b7_22a5_abf0_21f3"></a><br>
<a href="https://youtube.com/watch?v=sBuy9FjrBgE&si=n8pVNZJxehwEU2C9">▶️ Play Overnight at Blind Lake</a></p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/October-06-2023-111625.JPG" alt="Photo taken Oct 6, 2023 at 11:16 AM " id="id_b71d_4df6_d431_4896"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Starting out along the Potawatomi Trail at Silver Lake in Pinckney Recreation Area. It’s a lovely sunny late morning. Photo by Lil </p>
<p>—October 6, 2023 at 11:16 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/October-06-2023-175637.JPG" alt="Photo taken Oct 6, 2023 at 5:56 PM " id="id_26e_3546_fcb3_e7e2"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Gazing from the beach / boat launch across Blind Lake. </p>
<p>—October 6, 2023 at 5:56 PM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/October-07-2023-082205.JPG" alt="Photo taken Oct 7, 2023 at 8:22 AM " id="id_6653_5b43_e6ca_a478"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Coffee time. Before we started cooking our rice and bean burritos we had to get the Cowboy coffee going. The TJM Metalwork Original Mini Fire Anchor has worked very well. </p>
<p>—October 7, 2023 at 8:22 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/October-07-2023-113418.JPG" alt="Photo taken Oct 7, 2023 at 11:34 AM " id="id_26ee_3573_2f64_a5d9"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Getting underway on my journey to Hell, Michigan. Photo by Lil. </p>
<p>—October 7, 2023 at 11:34 AM. </p>
</blockquote>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16916977482838143188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751014576163499345.post-12125525039929461852023-09-26T23:12:00.001-04:002023-12-02T23:10:37.496-05:00Release the Salami (and BBQ Beans)<h1>Release the Salami (and BBQ Beans)</h1>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://youtube.com/watch?v=KZJcef1gDrg&si=JWgMWKmETPX7ahzQ" title="Play Release the Salami"><img style="width: 480px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/KZJcef1gDrg.JPEG" alt="Play video Release the Salami " id="id_127e_1ba0_577f_c75c"></a><br>
<a href="https://youtube.com/watch?v=KZJcef1gDrg&si=JWgMWKmETPX7ahzQ">▶️ Play Release the Salami</a></p>
</blockquote>
<p>There are numerous recipes for making summer sausage and similar things on the Internet. This is my first attempt and it is loosely based on ideas I picked up from <a href="https://foodwishes.blogspot.com/2019/07/summer-sausage-winter-isnt-coming.html">Food Wishes Summer Sausage</a> and <a href="https://youtu.be/WCK74iWLEb4?si=IVTFVutX1Lh8-RjJ">Duncan Henry’s Wild Hunter Salami</a>.  My result was pretty good. But, I can see room for improvement. For example, I would use more pepper in the future. I also would definitely try to use mustard seeds which I did not have when I made this recip. However, the process of creating the meat mixture, letting it cure in the refrigerator for a couple of days within the mold, cooking it, and then letting it rest for another couple of days before we would get around to trying it out, was certainly a success. </p>
<p>Do keep in mind that when using curing salt that you use the proper amount and wait long enough for the cure, in this case pink curing salt #1 (aka Prague Powder #1), to work. If you want to learn more about the science behind curing meat there are many sources but this is a <a href="https://genuineideas.com/ArticlesIndex/nitritesafetylevels.html" id="id_ba63_e41d_c8d8_fe74">good referenced one</a>. I make no claims to expertise but I trust the science and the materials I’ve read.</p>
<h2>Hunter Salami Ingredients</h2>
<ul>
<li>1 kg ground lean beef</li>
<li>15 g salt</li>
<li>2 g cracked black pepper</li>
<li>3 g white sugar</li>
<li>4 g Mustard Powder</li>
<li>3 g garlic powder</li>
<li>3 g Cure #1 5%</li>
<li>10 g milk powder binder</li>
<li>20 g beer</li>
<li>80 g cold water</li>
</ul>
<h2>Baked Beans</h2>
<p>Ingredients - more or less</p>
<ul>
<li>1 medium yellow onion, chopped</li>
<li>4 garlic cloves, minced</li>
<li>1 15-oz can great northern beans</li>
<li>1 15-oz can black beans</li>
<li>2 Tbs Dijon mustard</li>
<li>1/3 cup maple syrup</li>
<li>1/3 cup BBQ sauce (TBQ Zesty)</li>
</ul>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16916977482838143188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751014576163499345.post-14728081256473415472023-06-29T02:00:00.001-04:002023-06-29T02:00:14.358-04:00Finland: Days 4 and 5 in Helsinki
<p><strong><a href="#photos">Jump to Photos</a></strong></p>
<p>Our fourth day in Helsinki we spent exploring a bit more of the city. We had a general idea of what we wanted to see. After visiting some shops that specialize in a variety of objects all known for very high quality design, we eventually worked our way back to Market Square where we did not find the one-song accordian player playing. We did, as we knew we would, find the Old Market Building open. It’s a bustling narrow but long building with plenty of food vendors. It was a bit early for lunch so we passed through.</p>
<p>We continued on to eventually find our way to the Design Museum. I don’t have much to say about this museum. I can tell the textile work is of high quality and special in an abstract way but it doesn’t really click for me - too visual. For Mom and Dad it was a treat and well worth the time we spent there.</p>
<p>After leaving our quest for lunch began. That took us a bit farther than we probably wanted before we settled on a place we think is called Gourmet Street Food. It appears to be a collection of restaurants selling various types of food. To date it probably is our best lunch in Helsinki. The ice cream we had from the Helsinki Ice Cream Factory (making ice cream since 1922 - oldest in Finland) was a nice capstone to the meal.</p>
<p>Mom and I took an afternoon stroll over to the <a href="https://www.temppeliaukionkirkko.fi/en/index/nimi.html">Church of the Rock</a> called Temppeliaukio Church. From the literature at the church and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temppeliaukio_Church">wikipedia</a> article final plans for the church came together in 1961 after an architecture competition in 1961 was won by brothers Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen. The final church - started in 1968 and consecrated in 1969 - was scaled down due to cost but what was built is impressive enough. Excavated from a hill of granite I believe the interior space is about 24 meters in diameter with granite walls ranging from 5 to 9 meters in height before skylight windows climb higher to the copper dome. That dome is sheaved in 22 kilometers of copper tape which permits more light to filter through. There are artificial lights in the ceiling but the space is more than adequately lit by the natural light streaming down. The walls are mostly unworked granite. Water can trickle down, it must be a slow process, to grates set in the concrete floor. These walls and the grand space give the church very good acoustics. While neither Mom or I thought the music playing from the speakers added much to the ambiance of the church we did note that the music filled the space without being loud. There is a different feeling about this church compared to the Chapel of Silence. Both are worth visiting.</p>
<p>We walked down past the Music Center which was rather un-welcoming at least as far as the lobby area went. A final examination of Oodi Library was in order and it really is a building you should stop by to explore inside and out. Then back to the apartment - it’s isn’t as far as we first thought. It was a good way to spend a bit more time during the afternoon and the day would have been overall very good if our Chinese restaurant dinner had been more than just adequate.</p>
<h2 id="">••• ••• ••• •••</h2>
<p>This is our final day in Helsinki. We have spent the entire time in the city and we are ready to be done. Perhaps we should have taken a day trip to Tallinn, Estonia but we weren’t keen on the 4.5 hours of round-trip ferry travel. Perhaps we should have visited a national park but the enthusiasm wasn’t there. However, we have managed to fill our final day pretty well and it turned out a fine day in Helsinki.</p>
<p>We weren’t hurrying to get out and about. Many places don’t open until 10:00 or later. I’m pretty sure the Botanical Garden (not sure of the name) is one such. It was a fairly straightforward walk to the gardens and when we entered we were in for a nice surprise as the sounds of the city ebbed and the scents, sights, and some natural sounds began to make themselves known. </p>
<p>We strolled through the gardens. The “Sense Garden” was an interesting experience. They’ve put out an assortment of plants people can touch, look at, smell. There is a path you can walk barefoot and get acquainted with you sense of touch through your feet. We somehow missed this path - I would have walked it. As we walked the gardens we were surprised by how many people seemed to be working to keep things clean and growing. A lot is being put into these gardens and that is nice to see. </p>
<p>One thing we like about walking through European cities is you don’t seem to have to travel far to find a cafe that will serve a decent coffee-style drink (if not necessarily a simple brewed coffee) and a nice pastry. The Botanical Garden had a nice little cafe where we were able to enjoy just such food before continuing on our way toward Market Square and the boats that cruise the Gulf of Finland providing 1.5 hour tours. Along the way we passed by the large white church we had seen from afar the first day. One thing we had marveled at here are the large number of large open plazas. This is something you see a lot of in European cities and we are always a bit surprised by them. </p>
<p>Market Square was not as busy as it had been. Perhaps they have a mid-week slowdown. However, the one-song accordion player was present. When we purchased our tickets for our City Canal cruise we asked the people working the ticket counter if he plays anything else - he does not. I hope it turns into white noise for them because if it doesn’t it surely becomes something of an ear worm.</p>
<p>The cruise was a nice way to spend a part of our afternoon. It’s true the provided information comes through in a pre-recorded set of speeches in several languages on too few speakers to easily hear over wind noise, boat engines, people chatting, and everything else. But you get a sense for part of the area that is Helsinki and at least a few of the 300 islands along with the mainland that make up this place. It was a nice cruise and I can see why people like to live here with the comforts of a city and the ability to get away from the city to a peaceful island without too much difficulty.</p>
<p>After the cruise we managed to find a good lunch at one of the food vendors in Market Square. The place that sells sweet and savory crepes was a hit. The ham, cheese, and egg crepe was good but the spinach and feta cheese one was better. After that it was time to head back to the apartment to take a bit of a rest before dinner. We actually did pretty well with dinner too. It didn’t look like much from the outside but Burger Bites produced a good burger. Sometimes simple is best.</p>
<p><a name="“photos”"></a></p><a name="“photos”">
<h2 id="photos">Photos</h2>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-27-2023-141440.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 27, 2023 at 2:14 PM " id="id_d5e2_f37f_bf26_9974"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>The Helsinki Ice Cream factory has been making ice cream since 1922. The ice cream we had there was pretty good. </p>
<p>—June 27, 2023 at 2:14 PM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-27-2023-160439.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 27, 2023 at 4:04 PM " id="id_c33c_f13_4409_f29d"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Under this granite dome sits the Church of the Rock. It was excavated in 1968 and work was finished in 1969. There is a coppery green dome on top though it isn’t really obvious here. </p>
<p>—June 27, 2023 at 4:04 PM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-27-2023-162228.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 27, 2023 at 4:22 PM " id="id_a3dc_65ef_f38a_31e2"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>It is a bit distorted because of how I took the photo. The church has a main floor and a balcony where I am standing. It is a grand single space under the copper dome you see above. I believe the diameter of the intereor space is 24 meters and the skylights that surround the dome and let in plenty of natural light sit atop walls of unworked granite that are 5 to 9 meters high. I am not sure how high the dome is. The feel of the space is quite different from that of the Chapel of Silence. </p>
<p>—June 27, 2023 at 4:22 PM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-27-2023-164558.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 27, 2023 at 4:45 PM " id="id_c53f_3e6_1a56_ea94"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>A view from the other (south) end of the Oodi Library. Here you really get a sense that the building could be a boat sailing a sea of, I imagine, knowledge and creativity. </p>
<p>—June 27, 2023 at 4:45 PM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-28-2023-112442.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 28, 2023 at 11:24 AM " id="id_cbe1_bba0_1d52_f5b7"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>We didn’t enter this Lutheran church. What we really reacted too here though is yet another grand plaza. Helsinki, like many European cities, is liberally sprinkled with large open squares such as this one. </p>
<p>—June 28, 2023 at 11:24 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-28-2023-124239.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 28, 2023 at 12:42 PM " id="id_3fc_d0c2_6b49_ad52"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>A view of Suolemina from the cruise boat we are on of the now Lutheran church and the lighthouse beacon that sits on its steeple. As we passed we caught a glimpse of the green light emitting four long puleses (Morse code for “H”). </p>
<p>—June 28, 2023 at 12:42 PM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-28-2023-133103.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 28, 2023 at 1:31 PM " id="id_6bcb_149e_231_5237"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>When you have daytime temperatures that can touch 80 °F now and then and over 20 hours of sunshine and you have some nice sandy beaches you should take advantage of the fine weather. </p>
<p>—June 28, 2023 at 1:31 PM. </p>
</blockquote></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16916977482838143188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751014576163499345.post-27767762571145503602023-06-27T14:13:00.001-04:002023-06-27T14:13:19.707-04:00Norway & Finland: Day 3 in Helsinki
<p><strong><a href="#photos">Jump to Photos</a></strong></p>
<p>It is interesting to compare the climates in places. According to <a href="https://weatherspark.com/y/91632/Average-Weather-in-Helsinki-Finland-Year-Round">Weatherspark.com</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>In Helsinki, the summers are comfortable and partly cloudy and the winters are long, freezing, snowy, windy, and mostly cloudy. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 17°F to 71°F and is rarely below -3°F or above 79°F.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Which compares to <a href="">Ann Arbor</a>:</p>
<ul>
<li>In Ann Arbor, the summers are warm; the winters are freezing, snowy, and windy; and it is partly cloudy year round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 17°F to 84°F and is rarely below 1°F or above 92°F.</li>
</ul>
<p>From that cursory overview one would guess Helsinki should be a very nice place to live. Of course, it doesn’t take into account the extreme amount of daylight during the summer months and the extreme amount of darkness that comes during the winter months. During our time here in Helsinki the weather is living up to the general expected climate conditions.
Our third day dawned, well before we awoke, with sunshine and pretty clear skies. The day also brought with it a much louder city: the start of the work week and Midsummer Holiday is over.</p>
<p>We planned to explore some other parts of the city. We particularly wanted to see more examples of Finnish architecture and design. First among these was a proper visit to the Chapel of Silence (Kamppi Chapel). We had seen it earlier in the trip but had not been able to go inside. It’s an intriguing looking building from the outside attached to something rather more bland. The church is meant to be a place of silent contemplation in the heart of a bustling city district. I suppose that begins by contemplating and admiring the exterior of the church. If nothing else you will muse on the nature of how perspective changes things. From one vantage point the building appears to be a warm brown handle-less teacup; from another vantage point it is much more clearly an ark or boat. The wooden construction is warm and inviting though if you are like me you will no doubt think it must be terribly dark inside as no windows are visible. Once you walk through the large, silken smooth wooden door you enter a single open space that is surprisingly bright with light entering through from upon high. The inside is spare in its design with pews spread out facing a small silver cross. Along the sides I saw cushions laid out reminding me of small rock gardens. I don’t think you are meant to sit on them. Sit down and be silent; think about where you are in a place designed to help you do that as there are few distractions (oddly while we saw a sign requesting no photography there wasn’t a similar sign asking you to silence your mobile phone). We settled down on a pew for a few minutes of contemplation before taking our leave of this special place.</p>
<p>We strolled to the train station, where we were originally dropped off by our taxi, and took a longer peek inside. LIke so many train stations in Europe this one is grand in design but we all agree we have seen finer. Still if you have to use the place it is best to have a nice place to use and the Central Station certainly does fill that bill. </p>
<p>From there we moved on to the Oodi Library. We were, and this might be correct,thinking of it as the central library for Helsinki. While it may well be the finest library building both inside and outside it certainly doesn’t hold the bulk of the library systems collection. At least we did not see many books. However, if you do find yourself studying there or doing some other form of research or merely taking a break you will be hard pressed to find a better place to do it than this building. It is spacious throughout and while the main floor is nice enough with a fine cafeteria and other things I think the upper floors are where the building shines. The cushions sprinkled about are designed to suck you down and perhaps to nap. There is a section, towards the prow of the building (yes, from the outside looked at properly it can be seen as a ship plowing forward through the sea) there is a grand rising stretch of wooden floor surrounded by fine city views. An exterior wooden deck would be a fine place to relax when the weather is good and we stood outside upon it for a time. The calm of the place is shattered somewhat at the far end by the substantial play area for children. If you appreciate good design a visit to the Oodi Library should be on your agenda.</p>
<p>After enjoying a good hot coffee (take that Strindberg Cafe) and some pastries from the library’s cafeteria we continued on our way. It was time to visit an inland bay. Töölönlahti Bay (or is it just Töölö Bay) is just a few minutes walk across a broad, rather dead seeming, expanse of ground covered plaza. The Finlandia building is here but since it’s undergoing renovation we couldn’t visit. We took a walk around the bay which does have a small inflow from the greater body of water to the east but it doesn’t feel like a bay to me - more of a lake. The wide most paved path provides ample room for walkers, cyclists, and people on scooters. The latter tend to zoom by so pay attention. It is a pleasant stroll around the bay where many species of birds live. A small dollop of nature in the middle of Kamppi which I am sure many find quite welcome. We were in no rush to complete the 2.3km circuit of the bay on what was turning out to be a fine afternoon.</p>
<p>Our day was pretty done after this circumnavigation. We had lunch at the Finlandia Cafe and Wine but while they claim there was no fish or chicken oil in the salad something clearly set my immune system off. We might not have had too much more planned but we went back to the apartment to rest for a couple of hours while the feelings of un-wellness faded. We decided to throw together another pasta and meat sauce style dinner with a simple bit of greens on the side instead of tackling the local restaurant scene.</p>
<p><a name="“photos”"></a></p><a name="“photos”">
<h2 id="photos">Photos</h2>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-26-2023-100003.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 26, 2023 at 10:00 AM " id="id_a2de_f001_b0b6_c4f0"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>THe Chapel of Silence is located by a shopping center that may be at the heart of the Kamppi neighborhood. Is it a teacup or a boat? You decide. </p>
<p>—June 26, 2023 at 10:00 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-26-2023-101030.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 26, 2023 at 10:10 AM " id="id_2398_21e1_d629_1ef"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Perspective matters. Teacup or boat? The chapel is made of wood - oak I believe for the exterior. It is as remarkable inside as it it outside but photography isn’t allowed within. Inside you stand or sit in a warmly lit space surrounded by wood. Light pours in from the roofline. The space does invite you to sit and be quiet with your own thoughts. </p>
<p>—June 26, 2023 at 10:10 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-26-2023-103847.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 26, 2023 at 10:38 AM " id="id_9f79_f656_b227_f1f9"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Inside the Oodi Library’s third (I think) floor. This is a great space. At this end a ramp gently climbs to the end of the building. People standing at the peak are easily visible from outside though at the time we did not know that. As you come off the ramp you pass by numerous comfortable chairs and cushions. You will find a play area for children at the far end. The library is a space for study, play, relaxing with a coffee, and making things. It isn’t primarily a place where books are kept - that is just part of the building’s purpose. </p>
<p>—June 26, 2023 at 10:38 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-26-2023-103946.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 26, 2023 at 10:39 AM " id="id_f97_9b8c_1832_6227"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Ken on the ramp. Photo by Jonathan </p>
<p>—June 26, 2023 at 10:39 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-26-2023-113223.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 26, 2023 at 11:32 AM " id="id_ae36_f9fb_3d4d_b9d2"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>A view from one of the ends of the Oodi Library. To me it seems like the building should be plowing through a sea (right). YOu can see the curves of the structure quite clearly on the left. </p>
<p>—June 26, 2023 at 11:32 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-26-2023-114836.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 26, 2023 at 11:48 AM " id="id_6ece_60e7_dc04_c017"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Looking north across Töölö (I think) Bay. The paved path is about 2.3km long and circles the bay with just a couple small hills along the way. </p>
<p>—June 26, 2023 at 11:48 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-26-2023-120438.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 26, 2023 at 12:04 PM " id="id_5d2_4a41_cc7c_312"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Looking southeasterly across the bay. At this point we saw one of the few birds we would see the whole walk. While the duck isn’t shown here it was busy doing something down by the jetty at the edge of the water. </p>
<p>—June 26, 2023 at 12:04 PM. </p>
</blockquote></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16916977482838143188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751014576163499345.post-18134797616937399442023-06-26T11:49:00.001-04:002023-06-26T11:49:09.741-04:00Norway & Finland: First Days in Helsinki
<p><strong><a href="#photos">Jump to Photos</a></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">It’s about 1,400 kilometers generally east from Alesund to Helsinki. We spent about 10 hours getting from the exit of Hotel Brosundet to the entrance of our Air B&B in Helsinki. Granted we lost an hour with a time change and a few more hours to waiting in airports so it wasn’t all that bad up until the end in Helsinki going the last kilometer or so. Perhaps the directions to walk here are good and perhaps we were just messed up following the walking directions from Apple Maps and perhaps there were too many cooks trying to make things work. We took a strange route to get here and that meant it took longer than it should have and caused irritation. I think it was well past 17:00 when we finally managed to open the final, of 3, doors and enter the Air B&B. The rest of that afternoon and night we spent settling in and finding the local K-Mart (not the same thing I am sure - think small neighborhood grocery/convenience store) to get some breakfast foods, pasta, and tomato sauce for dinner. </p>
<h3 id="" style="text-align: center;">••• ••• ••• •••</h3>
<p>We aren’t in love with the Air B&B except for one key feature: the location. It isn’t a bad place in most respects but it’s not the best we’ve been in either. But a lot can be forgiven if the location is good and we are pretty near many thing we want to visit. First up on that list will be walking to the Market Square which is one mile away.</p>
<p>Before I go any further I should note that it seems very quiet around us right now. It turns out that we have arrived in Finland during the Midsummer Holiday. This is pretty much precisely what you are likely thinking it is: a celebration around the Summer Solstice. If Finns can manage to get away and out into nature (as they put it) they do so. They also may go to live events and bonfires. Many places close for the wekend. Perhaps we will manage to go to a Midsummer event but I doubt it. We walked the quiet streets towards the Market Square. We noticed some shops, many restaurants, a few homeless peole, and probably anyone else walking was a tourist. It was a nice enough stroll with a pause at the Strindberg Cafe for a very good almond croissant and so-so coffee. </p>
<p>When we reached the Market Square we found more people. While I am sure most not selling food, drinks, or other stuff were tourists this open-air market is actually used by locals too and is far from a pure tourist trap. If you want to get some fresh fish, baked goods, or fruit this is certainly one place you can count on finding what you need. </p>
<p>We tried reindeer hot dogs and hamburger (not really different from what get back home) with fries.</p>
<p>After wandering the market we took a tram ride around the center of town. This just gave us, over about an hour, a circular well over 13km trip around part of the city.</p>
<p>An aside: with such an active Market Square you would think the city should have public toilet facilities present. Off a side street, behind an unassuming and even a bit shabby seeming door with the letters “WC” painted large upon it, was one such example. You’d have to know it was there to know it was there. Inside Dad and I found two people sitting and doing who knows what. Some sort of staff. Down a flight of steps we soon found off to the left and the right were toilet facilities for women and men. While the entrance to this space was a bit dark and unwelcoming the bathrooms were bright and clean. Perhaps they are marked on some map somewhere - that would be lovely in this age of digital maps.</p>
<p>Back at the Market Square, hours after we dropped our last Norwegian krona in a street musician’s bucket - and he was playing the same Russian folk song still (only thing he plays) - we began our walk back to the Air B&B. We were ready to get off our feet for a little while. After all, we had to contend with dinner still and were not really sure where we would go (settled on Vietnamese cuisine - plenty of food but not that flavorful).</p>
<p>Our second full day we would also spend walking part of the city. We would go to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suomenlinna?wprov=sfti1">Suomenlina Fortress</a>. This fortress sits on a collection of islands about 4km southeast of the Market Square area. It’s popular for both locals and tourists as it hosts places to stroll, picnic, eat - when restaurants and cafes are open - and of course the fortress. I am sure we just scratched the surface of what we could have learned. To reach the islands, there are I believe 8 though only 6 were fortified, we took a ferry. I haven’t been able to figure out how to buy multiple tickets for public transit on the HSL app so we have used the machines which provide instruction in English. We managed to purchased our €3 tickets (one way). It’s a quick and easy ride.</p>
<p>Departing the ferry we began our exploration pretty much by following the suggested route (mostly). Suffice it to say that we soon found ourselves surrounded by buildings with plenty of history starting with the a church that was built in 1854, over a century after the Swedes began construction of the sea fortress, for the Russian troops garrisoned on Suomenlina (Sweden surrendered the fort to Russia i May 1808 during the Finnish War; Russia held the fort until Finland gained independence in 1917 - though they may not have taken full control until 1920). Great chains surround part of the structure that once were used to block the harbor or so I think we read. Today the church is Lutheran instead of Russian Orthodox and the steeple has a lighthouse that signals (we did not see this) for long flashes on a regular basis (“H” in Morse code, representing Helsinki). </p>
<p>We continued our ramble along the rounded cobblestones. Watch your step especially if the stones get wet. We passed through a great entrance into the Great Courtyard. I tried to imagine what this place was like a couple centuries ago. Too bad it isn’t really doing any re-enacting. Perhaps if we passed by a working smithy or sailmaking shop (both do exist somewhere) it would feel different. We passed many buildings and other things, many closed, and saw mostly fellow tourists. </p>
<p>From a section of the high point of the island we walked by cannon emplacements where many cannon still stood. Underneath many - all? - were bunkers that I expect held gunpowder, shot, and other necessities to serve the cannon. I am guessing but it makes sense to me. As we moved around the top a light rain fell. That rain had started earlier. More than hard enough to ensure you wanted to be sheltered or at least wearing a rain jacket or using an umbrella (both). During part of this time we found our way to Cafe Piper which may be the oldest cafe on Suomenlina. Not a big selection of food. Mom and I settled for sandwhiches; Dad had a nice salmon soup. It is in a nice setting.</p>
<p>All told we spent a few hours strolling the area of this sea fortress. It was a nice way to spend the afternoon even if it was raining some during that time. Eventually we, along with many many others and two cars, piled into a ferry for the return ride to the Market Square dock. The distant lightning did not seem so distant when we arrived and began our mile-long walk back to the apartment. We did make a stop at Stockmann - the largest department store in the Nordic countries - along the way. </p>
<p>We ended our day with a final walk to dinner. The rain had cleared out treating us to lovely blue skies as we walked to Putte’s Bar and Pizza. No ill effects from this neopolitan-style pizza and far less pricey than what we had at Anno in Alesund, Norway just over a week ago.</p>
<p><a name="“photos”"></a></p><a name="“photos”">
<h2 id="photos">Photos</h2>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-24-2023-111246.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 24, 2023 at 11:12 AM " id="id_d8ca_9bdf_d8b8_f1f4"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Walking down the esplenade we are among the few probably not out in nature celebrating Midsummer. One thing we have noticed is that there are not that many trees. I am sure the city’s central park has forested areas - claims are made about it - but most streets boast planters like you see here. </p>
<p>—June 24, 2023 at 11:12 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-24-2023-114722.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 24, 2023 at 11:47 AM " id="id_28f2_879d_9b6f_d6e8"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Do you want some whole salmon fillets? You can find this and plenty more food in Market Square booths. </p>
<p>—June 24, 2023 at 11:47 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-24-2023-114827.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 24, 2023 at 11:48 AM " id="id_99c4_9d19_a02_8fb8"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Vegetables of a wide variety. I feel certain that this amount of food is feeding far more than tourists strolling through. </p>
<p>—June 24, 2023 at 11:48 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-24-2023-115116.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 24, 2023 at 11:51 AM " id="id_406e_1ab_51e4_6173"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Strawberries! We bought a bunch of these to be part of our breakfast cereal. </p>
<p>—June 24, 2023 at 11:51 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-24-2023-120415.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 24, 2023 at 12:04 PM " id="id_3569_6ee4_bd0a_781d"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Underneath this sloping roof sits the tourist information building. Our second building we got to walk to the top of. </p>
<p>—June 24, 2023 at 12:04 PM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-25-2023-120930.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 25, 2023 at 12:09 PM " id="id_2da1_a2ca_9a6f_e52b"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>The Suomenlina Church. </p>
<p>—June 25, 2023 at 12:09 PM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-25-2023-123755.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 25, 2023 at 12:37 PM " id="id_6d18_3cac_a67f_46d2"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Inside part of the Suomenlina Fortress. </p>
<p>—June 25, 2023 at 12:37 PM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-25-2023-134348.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 25, 2023 at 1:43 PM " id="id_6e3d_ce4f_91fb_2a89"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Surprisingly I do not have any photos of the cannons. Here is a view some of the men manning some of the cannons would have seen. Of course, cannons are emplaced along a much lengthier curve of the island. </p>
<p>—June 25, 2023 at 1:43 PM. </p>
</blockquote></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16916977482838143188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751014576163499345.post-73923653408652950202023-06-25T03:11:00.001-04:002023-06-25T03:11:22.527-04:00Norway & Finland: Day 7 in Alesund
<p><strong><a href="#photos">Jump to photos</a></strong></p>
<p>June 22: Mom and Dad’s anniversary.This will be our final day in Alesund and it is dawning pretty clear with the promise of good weather. The plan today is to take a cruise along the Hjørundfjord and see what we will find on what is noted as being one of the lesser visited but very spectacular fjords. Instead of taking a guided tour, they must exist, we will ride what we think is something more like a regularly scheduled ferry run that connects the hamlets that run the length of the 20-kilometers long fjord from Øye at the fjord’s source with Alesund at the mouth (actually a bit west) of the fjord.</p>
<p>When we found our boat there was no one around. No tourists, no workers, just us it seemed. In a few minutes some boat workers appeared but no one else did. We boarded the board and we were its sole passengers, the 3 of us, and the boat easily accommodates 200 people.The boat staff saw us seated, gave a perfunctory safety talk, informed us that we could buy drinks including wine and vanished to do what they must have to do. We settled down inside the tinted glass cabin alone amongst what must have numbered close to 200 seats.</p>
<p>The boat left promptly and we began motoring down the channel between Sula and Alesund. We passed by docks with big and small boats, signs of construction, signs of much activity. At this point you are on Borgunfjorden which despite the name is not actually a fjord. But it would not take long before we turned to the south and entered <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hjørundfjorden">Hjørundfjord</a> proper.</p>
<p>At its widest the fjord is about 3km across. It’s doesn’t feel that wide except in a few places. I am sure that must be an illusion caused by the mountains that plunge seemingly so precipitously down into the water. This fjord has a handful of hamlets sprinkled along its length. You can reach some of them via a road but many can only be reached by boat. Our boat will take us to Øye which is a hamlet of 50 people 25 of whom work at the Hotel Union which has stood proud since 1891 serving a a high-end clientele (pretty sure the least expensive room is around $500/night). It looks like a fantastic hotel and it certainly is set in a lovely setting. Along the way we passed by other hamlets but we did not stop. Perhaps the boat only stops if a person has reserved ahead of time.</p>
<p>We had just enough time in Øye to visit the Hotel Union and buy coffees. It’s dark inside so I wasn’t able to explore even a little to see the distinctive rooms they boast. Each room is unique and named for someone famous who has stayed at the hotel. From what little I saw, and the more Mom and Dad saw, it was quite clear the hotel attempts - and I assume succeeds - in providing a memorable experience perhaps bringing up visions of the gilded age of the latter 1800s when wealthy travelers from the United Kingdom (lords and Ladies - a hotel staffer actually used the former term) who would travel here by steamship.</p>
<p>We hurried back to board the boat. As we stepped through the cabin doors the boatman brought the gangplank up and began casting off. We were the only passengers on the way out and the only ones departing Øye. We stopped at Sæbø, where I believe children in the area, all attend school and picked up 3 more passengers: doubling the passenger compliment. It was just as pretty a cruise back to Alesund as it had been going out. How can you not enjoy looking at the tree-covered slopes with plunging waterfalls, patches of snow, with no habitation, and not enjoy yourself.</p>
<p>We had plenty of time after returning to Alesund before our final dinner at the XL Diner. We decided to explore a little more of the town. This time we found our way to an area we kind of knew about but had not visited.We found a very nice small multi-level shopping center. The quality of the stores is generally high and I expect they do a lot of trade with the tourists who come off the huge cruise ships that make port calls. Mom bought a pair of walking shoes and I purchased a pair of Ecco sandals. Our feet will be much happier.It was a nice way to spend a bit more of the afternoon.</p>
<p>Dinner at the XL Diner was another 3-course meal. Fortunately for me, the restaurant was able to accommodate my needs as the majority of the food at XL DIner was fish-based. Perhaps I could have had the duck entrée but I wasn’t willing to risk it. I got a lamb dish that while perfectly fine didn’t knock my socks off. I think Mom and Dad had similar feelings about the salmon they had. The real challenge with meals like these though isn’t with the food but rather the lengthy - exceedingly so - time spent waiting between courses. It gets tiring just waiting. The restaurant topped our dinner off, once they learned of the anniversary, with a birthday robot that said “Happy birthday” on it and played a birthday song. The best they could do for a wedding anniversary. The dessert of various morsels was enjoyable but it lost something because of the waiting time.</p>
<p><a name="“photos”"></a></p><a name="“photos”">
<h2 id="photos">Photos</h2>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-22-2023-104829.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jun 19, 2023 at 09:48 PM " id="id_3f1f_a60e_7ab2_8c1b"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>On our way into the Hjørundfjord. We would end up spending less time up top than perhaps we should have done. There is no seating and it was a bit brisk. Photo by Jonathan </p>
<p>—June 19, 2023 at 09:48 PM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-22-2023-111337.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jun 19, 2023 at 10:13 PM " id="id_1a83_6279_d296_30e7"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Near the mouth of the Hjørundfjord. This is a sample of the landscape we are going to be seeing. </p>
<p>—June 19, 2023 at 10:13 PM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-22-2023-115707.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jun 19, 2023 at 10:57 PM " id="id_78b_c271_399b_fb02"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Nearing the hamlet of Øye. </p>
<p>—June 19, 2023 at 10:57 PM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-22-2023-120538.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jun 20, 2023 at 11:05 AM " id="id_4b07_de69_6d37_ac19"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>I do not know the name of the waterfall but this is just one splendid example of a torrent rushing down several hundred meters to the valley floor. The boat you see is our ferry. </p>
<p>—June 20, 2023 at 11:05 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-22-2023-122021.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jun 20, 2023 at 11:20 AM " id="id_6acb_7120_8b29_fa70"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Hotel Union was built in 1891. They clearly serve an upscale clientele both then and now. Back then salmon fishing was appearently quite popular but I believe that is far less common today. However, I’ve no doubt you can find plenty of outdoor activities to fill your day and exceptional food to sustain you through the night. </p>
<p>—June 20, 2023 at 11:20 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-22-2023-122522.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jun 20, 2023 at 11:25 AM " id="id_c44_74ae_a57c_71cd"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>We had enough time for a quick glimpse into the lavish Hotel Union and to pick up coffees. Just enough time to pause and snap this photo of Mom in front of what I suspect is one of the more photographed waterfalls of the fjord. </p>
<p>—June 20, 2023 at 11:25 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-22-2023-123514.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jun 20, 2023 at 11:35 AM " id="id_36c6_e1e1_ad1_fe87"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Returning to Alesund. We are probably near Urke or Saebø. </p>
<p>—June 20, 2023 at 11:35 AM. </p>
</blockquote></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16916977482838143188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751014576163499345.post-10229078447704581912023-06-23T03:03:00.001-04:002023-06-24T01:29:29.319-04:00Norway & Finland: Day 6 in Alesund
<p><strong><a href="#photos">Jump to Photos</a></strong></p>
<p>This is our final walking day in ALesund. On our last day tomorrow we hope to do a cruise along the Hjørundfjord (“Jur-rund-fjord” sort of)
. Today we will return to Sula and hike along the island’s northern coast. The weather is supposed to be pretty good with a chance of rain later in the day and generally moderately cloudy with a high temperature around 60 F. Fine weather for hiking. The notes call this a grade 1 hike which is the easiest level of hike. It is just over 10km long and should have about 80 meters of ascent and 80 meters of descent. Of course, as with all walks what matters most is the quality of the footing and how steep the ascents and descents are. If you just look at the profile you could be forgiven for thinking they’re <strong>very</strong> steep (when you look at an elevation profile it is best to remember that it is incredibly compressed. Something that appears vertical is, in fact, probably showing a grade that’s much less steep - it’s a shame the notes do not give the compression factor). On this walk, reported to take just under 4 hours of walking time, it is the former that really will play into things as we would eventually learn.</p>
<p>We began our leaving heading west out of the village of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Langevåg,_Vestland">Langevag</a> (population as of 2019, 758). We followed the gently ascending paved road through quiet neighborhoods for a couple kilometers before reaching a dirt road that would take us into the forest and away from the occasional views across the waters of Borgunfjorden towards Alesund. Eventually the road would come to an end and things would get more interesting.</p>
<p>Here is where some of our elevation appeared in a short steeper (not really that steep except when compared to the paved road) ascent from the current dry stream to what would quickly turn into boggy lands that once supported a farmstead centuries ago. Fortunately the people who built the trail placed boardwalks along the majority of the trail. Step off those planks and you will get sodden feet especially if you are, like me, hiking in trail runners. If the ground was like this when people were trying to farm I wonder what they managed to actually grow.</p>
<p>All that remains is a bit of ruins in the form of a foundation. There is an information board (with English text) describing the history of the place. I can’t tell you now the number of chickens, cows, and sheep (?) a peasant family owned here 1,000 years ago but I find it a bit remarkable that records from back then were still in existence when the sign was written. </p>
<p>The trail would treat us to one more quick climb and we would continue trending west along the edge of the cliffs. At times the trail snuggled right up to the edge. If you aren’t fond of heights take a few steps inland and walk there. The ground should be firm if it hasn’t rained much. Our views of the coast were back and this now was truly a coastal walk and would become more so soon.</p>
<p>When we reached the western end of our walk we dropped down to just a few meters above the breaking waves. There was, at times, rocky beach, but generally speaking the ground was covered in low plants and shrubs to the tideline. Toss in some boulders and a rivulet of freshwater and you have a challenging shoreline to navigate. The trail is present but it became quite clear to us that what keeps it a trail is the passage of people making it so. A game trail where humans are the game animals. It’s often faint, wet, hidden beneath shrubs, and rather twisty. If you can see it for more than a few feet in front of you then you have found a spot that is pretty obvious. Result: slow going. This is not a path you would want to try following in inclement weather. Over the next couple hours, including time for lunch and other pauses, we worked our way along this somewhat rugged coast towards the curving boardwalk we had seen when we first started along the gravel road. </p>
<p>With a sprinkle now and then to keep us company we marched forward. Mom led the way and we only lost the path a couple of times. I am sure we were not the only ones to make our own path through the low-growing springy plants (reminded me of pushing through heather on a Scottish moor). When we reached the picnic table just before the boardwalk we were quite pleased with how we did. From that point on it was a simple matter of regaining the road and heading back to Langevag and the welcome of coffee and desserts. </p>
<p>I’ll leave things off here with just a note that if you do visit Alesund it is probably best to make a reservation every night for dinner. Perhaps you will have better luck finding places to eat than we did but after failing to find a restaurant we had been told about the other places we checked out did not have seating for us even though they did not seem that busy. We ended up eating at the hotel lobby bar. The food provided energy but that is about all I think we can really say for it.</p>
<p>Stats: The hike to and from the ferry dock on Sula was 10.8km. There was 94 meters of ascent and 94 meters of descent (above half of that was probably on the road-walk and the rest was in short spurts - none particularly steep). The road-walk covered about 4.8km. The dirt track covers about 1.5km. The coast trail (upper and lower) traverses 4.5km. The lower coastal path is what will slow you down. We were out for 6 hours, taking 69 minutes in breaks.</p>
<p><a name="“photos”"></a></p><a name="“photos”">
<h2 id="photos">Photos</h2>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-21-2023-105350.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 21, 2023 at 10:53 AM " id="id_a8ae_3940_e74_c7e4"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>This boardwalk marks the end of the interesting part of the Sula Coastal walk. For now we have about 1.5km of dirt track to follow through a forest. The walk may be following the coast but it doesn’t feel like a coastal walk.</p>
<p>—June 21, 2023 at 10:53 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-21-2023-105423.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 21, 2023 at 10:54 AM " id="id_1e7a_7f39_d094_f38f"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>The first two kilometers of this coastal walk are on a gently ascending paved road that takes us west of Langevag. It’s a lovely view towards Alesund and we are walking through a quiet pleasant neighborhood. </p>
<p>—June 21, 2023 at 10:54 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-21-2023-115323.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 21, 2023 at 11:53 AM " id="id_dcae_127e_7e73_c10b"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Standing by what remains of an ancient farmstead. Noone has farmed here for hundreds of years but there were times, measured in hundreds of years, where the place was inhabited. People farmed and fished but it must have been a marginal existence. When fishing became problematic, I believe in the early 1800s, the place was abandoned for good. When you come here expect to get your feet wet if you step off the boardwalk that has been placed. This ground is rather more like a highland moor than something more stable. </p>
<p>—June 21, 2023 at 11:53 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-21-2023-120451.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 21, 2023 at 12:04 PM " id="id_26e2_8451_4ec2_bcb"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>The sections of trail, and this really is trail, that feature sheer drops are thankfully short. </p>
<p>—June 21, 2023 at 12:04 PM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-21-2023-120816.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 21, 2023 at 12:08 PM " id="id_d9df_96fd_6a1a_e0d4"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>It isn’t really obvious in the photo but we are all standing on the edge of the clifftop here. It is a precipitous drop. The footing is actually good here and you could move inland a bit to avoid feeling so exposed. This is rough coast. Photo by Jonathan </p>
<p>—June 21, 2023 at 12:08 PM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-21-2023-124034.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 21, 2023 at 12:40 PM " id="id_d998_35f_80ae_772c"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>We have reached the westernmost point of our hike and are returning via the coastline. We are about 8 meters above sea level here. We are quickly learning that this coastal walk is going to be a challenge. Sukkertopen (Sugar Top) rises 317 meters. It doesn’t look as pointy from this vantage. </p>
<p>—June 21, 2023 at 12:40 PM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-21-2023-130150.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 21, 2023 at 1:01 PM " id="id_cd43_7544_823d_266a"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>The trail is best thought of as a game trail where the game are the humans walking the trail. It is narrow, indistinct, and often vanishes. The ground is often wet. It is slow going. Mom is leading and doing a great job of it. </p>
<p>—June 21, 2023 at 1:01 PM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-21-2023-142326.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 21, 2023 at 2:23 PM " id="id_3b19_1c13_4c3b_2d26"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Perhaps a thin ribbon of light colored curving structure can be seen on the headland ahead. That is a boardwalk we are going to climb to return to the paved road. It has been a challenge getting here but I think we all found it more satisfying and certainly less physically demanding than the descent into Alnes a couple of days ago. </p>
<p>—June 21, 2023 at 2:23 PM. </p>
</blockquote></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16916977482838143188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751014576163499345.post-36295325989101711982023-06-22T02:32:00.001-04:002023-06-22T02:32:01.372-04:00Norway & Finland: Day 5 in Alesund
<p><a href="#photos"><strong>Jump to Photos</strong></a></p>
<p>Today we decided to visit the island of Sula. There are two walks on this island and today we would tackle the one named Sula Blåfjell (a local highpoint). While it looked like the walk was a bit relentless as for as ascent and descent were concerned - first you go up all the time and then descend all the time - it somehow seemed like the better option for the day. Since we were going to do both I suppose it doesn’t really matter the order in which they are done. Just do the walk on a clear day so you can enjoy the views when you are above treeline and can see them. Because the bulk of the walk, along a gravel and dirt road (think forest-service road) isn’t that exciting.</p>
<p>We left the hotel with a light rain drifting down upon us. The weather report had that clearing out over the course of the morning so we felt good about that (and we exaggerated concerns, as it would turn out, about the rain affecting streams for the other walk but more on that in a later post). Once we boarded the very well appointed ferry it was a quick 10-minute ride over to Sula and the town of Lanvag. Leaving towns can sometimes be confusing and we were, briefly, confused. Once we got ourselves sorted out though things went pretty easily.</p>
<p>We passed by the Devold factory and museum (they make wool clothing). The rain eased off and we began the gradual ascent along the paved roads that were leading out of town towards the high ridge that dominates the view rising over 350 meters. </p>
<p>In time we veered off onto the forest road (dirt and gravel) and continued to climb. Generally the road wasn’t terribly steep but now and then, really more than you would want, a 50-100 meter stretch would come along that was considerably steeper. It wasn’t anywhere as steep as the steep trails but it was more than enough to notice the change. Up we went.</p>
<p>Now and then a treat like the troll and his (I suppose) family of goats minding the wooden bridge that spanned a rushing mountain stream would enliven our hiking experience. As we gained elevation the frequency of views across the water towards Alesund increased. The view got more expansive. That was nice. The clouds broke up somewhat too.</p>
<p>Lunch at the lookout point was enjoyed before we began retracing our steps down the mountain road. What had been a relentless ascent was now a relentless descent. That gets tiring after a while and even though the hike went back a slightly different way when we got to a certain point it wasn’t a particularly interesting way. We were quite ready to be done as we passed the 10km mark and approached a cafe that we are pretty confident serves people coming on tours to visit the Devold Fabriken Museum and outlet store. It was good to take a break there before walking the final 600-odd meters down to the ferry dock to catch the quick boat ride back to Alesund.</p>
<p>Stats: About 10.9km walked with an ascent of 350 meters and descent of 350 meters. We were out for 6 hours (the last 30-40 minutes were spent at the cafe and walking from there to the ferry dock) and spent just over 2 hours of that taking breaks.</p>
<p><a name="“photos”"></a></p><a name="“photos”">
<h2 id="photos">Photos</h2>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-20-2023-092328.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 20, 2023 at 9:23 AM " id="id_fb5a_eedf_fdcf_9607"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Rain had been predicted for the day though we thought it would start a bit later than it did. We left the hotel under a light rain and that kept up for a time during our hike along the roads of Sula. </p>
<p>—June 20, 2023 at 9:23 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-20-2023-094127.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 20, 2023 at 9:41 AM " id="id_7d41_c360_652e_bf65"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>We begin our ascent on this reasonably quiet road walk out of Langevåg located on the island of Sula (I believe). We are going to climb to the top, or nearly so, of the moutain you see in the background. It’s a 360 meter ascent over about 4km of walking distance. We expect the walking to be on at “worst” two-track style routes once we leave the paved road. </p>
<p>—June 20, 2023 at 9:41 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-20-2023-094740.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 20, 2023 at 9:47 AM " id="id_9891_7213_aea7_8f3c"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>After perhaps the first kilometer of generally flat road walking we began to climb. We began to warm up. The rain had stopped so layers could come off. </p>
<p>—June 20, 2023 at 9:47 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-20-2023-101532.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 20, 2023 at 10:15 AM " id="id_d09d_6ac9_81be_32bf"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>We have been ascending steadily along what is best thought of as a minor dirt road (think USFS Forest road). We are just under halfway up the ascent though we have, likely, more than half of the actual walking still to do. Views like this aren’t common yet as we are still below the treeline. </p>
<p>—June 20, 2023 at 10:15 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-20-2023-105005.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 20, 2023 at 10:50 AM " id="id_5369_a6d2_7008_eb47"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>A troll and their goats are minding the bridge. I don’t think the troll is going to ask us to answer a devilish question before we can cross. The picnic table made for a fine place to take a break by the rushing stream. </p>
<p>—June 20, 2023 at 10:50 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-20-2023-105351.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 20, 2023 at 10:53 AM " id="id_ce_25a8_559d_bb41"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Not quite sure what this creature should be. Kinda cute though. Photo by Jonathan</p>
<p>—June 20, 2023 at 10:53 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-20-2023-112559.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 20, 2023 at 11:25 AM " id="id_a1a5_2098_2c3e_87fb"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>We are about to turn off this forest road and head to a lookout point. On the uphills I pull ahead and have to wait a bit. That is certainly offset on descents when I plod on down far slower than Mom and Dad. At least the views have been good. Photos by Jonathan </p>
<p>—June 20, 2023 at 11:25 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-20-2023-112806.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 20, 2023 at 11:28 AM " id="id_92aa_b460_55ae_56f4"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>The previous photos were taken just before Mom and Dad came into view. The road is generally reasonably graded but now and then a rather steeper section, 50=100 meters long, appears to trouble our footsteps. </p>
<p>—June 20, 2023 at 11:28 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<figure>
<img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-20-2023-114706.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 20, 2023 at 11:47 AM " id="id_f8e_d1b5_bc14_20aa">
<figcaption>Photo taken Jun 20, 2023 at 11:47 AM </figcaption>
</figure>
<blockquote>
<p>This is the tower or monument perhaps that marks the lookout point.</p>
<p>—June 20, 2023 at 11:47 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<figure>
<img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-20-2023-114722.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 20, 2023 at 11:47 AM " id="id_b457_3ee6_cda6_2e6e">
<figcaption>Photo taken Jun 20, 2023 at 11:47 AM </figcaption>
</figure>
<blockquote>
<p>The view from the picnic table at the lookout point. The trail is made once again mostly with paving-like stones (though not as regular in surface contours) so you avoid mushy ground. One section, perhaps as much as a quarter of the 350 meter-long trail, is wonderful boardwalk. Too bad they didn’t use more of that or even just classic two-plank length boardwalk. It was a fine place for lunch. </p>
<p>—June 20, 2023 at 11:47 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-20-2023-121250.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 20, 2023 at 12:12 PM " id="id_a8ca_69b2_b82d_cb91"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>I’m really just putting this photo in to show the boardwalk. From this point on we petty much retrace our path down the gravel/dirt road until we take a slightly different (not sure why) route back on paved roads back to the ferry dock. It’s a tiring sort of descent over about 5.5km. We got to a cafe 2 hours later (took a couple breaks) and though the dessert wasn’t the best the coffee and a chance to sit down for a bit were welcome. It’s a shame the ferry ride is just 10 minutes because those seats would be fine for a nap. </p>
<p>—June 20, 2023 at 12:12 PM. </p>
</blockquote></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16916977482838143188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751014576163499345.post-33744011491584603352023-06-20T14:58:00.001-04:002023-06-21T10:41:09.589-04:00Norway & Finland: Day 4 in Alesund
<p><a href="#photos"><strong>Jump to Photos</strong></a></p>
<p>We were joining the other early breakfasters at 07:00 and gathering up food before all the warming trays were full. The sun was up - actually that happened over 3 hours earlier - and the sky was clear of clouds. It promised to be a lovely day and we were looking forward to a good hike.</p>
<p>Today we would visit the island of Godøy. The notes say the hike is 6.5km in length and we would ascend 275 meters and desend 310 meters. Most of the climbing would be done over relatively short distances. We were sure in for something over the 5 hours we spent out and about.</p>
<p>To get to our hike we had to reach our island by taking 2 buses. The system is pretty efficient though that doesn’t mean you don’t have time to twiddle your thumbs waiting for your connection. In fact sometimes you end up waiting on the bus you are already riding for a few minutes at a stop, not your destination, before reaching your final goal. But the bus arrives and departs when the schedule says they will. It’s just a bit confusing sometimes what that schedule is. At least I have found different informaiton (perhaps I am misreading things) between Apple and Google maps. I’d use the Fram app but that requires I confirm I am me via a text message and I do not have a mobile number active here for the app to get a verification code. My eSIM is data-only which means I can access the Internet but not use SMS or make cellular-style voice calls. I think our outward bound journey took just over an hour from when we left the hotel to when we arrived at Juv Snuplass (“Yoov Snooplass” on the island of “Goo-day” or pretty close).The sun was shining, birds were singing, the water looked lovely. Too bad the sun and warm temperatures (we think) also brought out swarms of flies. We began our ascent. The trail quickly entered the wooded hillside and began a steady and rather steep climb. Now and then the good soil-based trail-bed would have rocks and roots that impeded our path.However, the footing was pretty decent - steep with a grade over 20% - but good. But this is definitely a trail that gives you a workout and we were feeling it as the flies continued to swarm around us.</p>
<p>Up and up. Swarming flies. An occassional opening in the trees presented us with a hazy view across the mouth of the fjord where so many of the island around here sit. We saw a few people coming down the trail. A couple passed us going up. We all complained about the flies.</p>
<p>After a bit more than an hour we reached treeline at about 260 meters elevation. I suppose the treeline is greatly influenced by what must be a rather short growing season. The wind picked up a little and knocked some of the flies back but that just left smaller swarms to bother us. I suppose that helped shorten our break at the rather nice picnic shelter.</p>
<p>In short order we climbed over the top of the hill and gazed out upon the alpine lake. Nearly mirror smooth, lovely blue, likely cold, and no swimming is allowed. I bet many people have finished the ascent and wanted nothing more than to take a cooling dip. I would. Over the next couple of kilometers we would work our way counter-clockwise along the trail with the lake mostly in view. We found a grand, clearly made, lunch spot at the water’s edge. That lunch spot of a semi-circular bench of stone and plenty of grave laid down to cover the boggy ground is a mark of the quality of the trail. The trail is made of thousands of paving stones. Step off those stones and you will sink into the ground. I think they must have shuttled the stones via helicopter up here. It’s an impressive amount of work and makes for a good trail.</p>
<p>It was enjoyable walking around the lake though you did have to pay some attention to where you stepped and that slowed me down some. But the afternoon was glorious and we had left the swarms of flies behind during our trek around the lake. The joy wouldn’t last.</p>
<p>At about 12:45 we reached the northern edge of the plateau and could look down upon the village of Alnes some 260 meters below us. The worst was about to begin but we still didn’t know how bad it would be. We found out quickly. I think the first 500 meters of trail were probably worse than the second 500 meters. Rock steps of all heights and surface contours, gravel, a slope with a grade of at least 20% all combined to make the descent just plain awful. It hard on the muscles and harder on the mind. Our speed plummeted to, at best, 0.75KPH. The views were exceptional but when you are concentrating on placing every footfall with exquisite care you cannot appreicate the views. The notes undersell the challenge of this descent. I’ve no doubt agile stronger hikers make the 1-kilometer long descent in the 80 minutes suggested. It took us around 120 minutes and it felt longer. Much longer. It is not something I would choose to repeat. The joy of achieving the goal of the road is fine and I can marvel at the work building the trail required but I find myself wondering if they could have made it easier albeit longer. </p>
<p>When we reached the road we were spent. It was now Dad’s turn to gripe about the remaining walk to the bus stop which we thought, because we hadn’t fully absorbed the notes, was 1.5km away. It turns out the bus stop was quite a bit closer at about only 800 meters. It was not much past 15:00 and we figured out that the cafe and lightouse accounted for the remaining 2km (and out-and-back) of hiking the notes suggest you do. We did not do that. It would have been nice to find a cafe for a drink and snack but we definitely wanted to catch the 15:55 bus which we weren’t entirely sure was coming. It arrived at 15:55. </p>
<p>Our 85 minute journey back to the hotel began. One reason it takes as long as it does is that bus 32 takes a 20-odd minutes break at Juv Snuplass (where we began). I’m not sure why this is done. There doesn’t seem to be anything there. If the bus takes a break in Alnes I am not aware of it and that at least is a tiny village. But the break did give us a chance to get out and get some much-less-hazy pictures of the islands south of Godøy. This is when the bus driver told Dad that the extremely pointy peak was called something like Sugar Top. It’s an odd name as there is no snow capping the mountain peak providing the sugar. </p>
<p>I could go on and talk a bit about the lady who was waiting with us at Alnes for the bus while her husband tackled the walk we had just done going in the other direction. We had a modest conversation while we waited. Her husband would link up with her later in the bus ride though not at Juv Snuplass so he found a different route down which means his walk was a bit different from ours. I could talk about the chat Dad had with the bus driver too. If you’re willing to talk with people they talk back. Dad is good at that.</p>
<p>When we got back to the hotel it was 17:23 and we had an hour to get ourselves ready for dinner at restaurant Bro. This would be our first of three pre-planned by Inntravel meals. We were scheduled to have a 3-course meal and that is about all we knew. When we arrived we found the outside teaming with people having drinks and perhaps eating. Given the price of tonic water (about $5) to say nothing of beer ($12) your drinking budget could explode pretty quickly. Inside we found the place for less busy and we settled down at a waterside-view table for dinner. Over the next 90 minutes, an age for us, we ate our very enjoyable meal. My starter ws an asperagus in butter sauce with very small shrimps dish. Mom and Dad had some type of gin-cured mackerel also with plenty of herbs. The restaurant had to make a change for me on both the starter and main course as I definitely can’t eat chicken or fish. My flat iron steak was well presented, reasonably cooked, and flavored in a buttery herb sauce that was quite good. The hassleback (?) potato was nice if a bit salty but I think I’ve gotten spoiled by my smoked baked potatoes. Mom and Dad had Plaice Fish which they both enjoyed. The rhubard dessert was a donut like bun with rhubarb jam inside. Served alongside was a parfait of ice cream, nuts, and a local berry of some type. The combination was lovely. Maybe we will have to return to Bro just to enjoy a dessert on the remaining day we have to find our own dinner. It was good to end the day on this high note.
Stats: The hike was 4.8km long with 235m ascent mostly in 1 kilometer; 280m descent mostly in 1 kilometer. The ascent and descent trails are quite steep and the descending trail is pretty much all rocks.</p>
<p><a name="“photos”"></a></p><a name="“photos”">
<h2 id="photos">Photos</h2>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-19-2023-095402.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 19, 2023 at 9:54 AM " id="id_7b90_fbfc_8deb_3ca8"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Our hike is going to start with this climb. The notes say it is a rocky and steep trail. It sure does look like it. </p>
<p>—June 19, 2023 at 9:54 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-19-2023-101217.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 19, 2023 at 10:12 AM " id="id_d269_2ef0_23c5_2de9"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>The flies are swarming and this owl is doing nothing to help us. We continue to plod up the somewhat rocky and steep trail. THe footing isn’t great but it isn’t awful either. </p>
<p>—June 19, 2023 at 10:12 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-19-2023-102752.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 19, 2023 at 10:27 AM " id="id_8265_ae21_d335_4d65"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>One of the few places with a view during our 1-kilometer long ascent. We have been climbing for almost 40 minutes and ascended about 155 meters over perhaps 750 meters of trail travelled. We have taken a few breaks. We might have taken more breaks to catch our breath than we did if it weren’t for the ever-present swarming, not biting, flies. Annoying, irksome, bothersome, but at least not eating-us flies. </p>
<p>—June 19, 2023 at 10:27 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-19-2023-105109.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 19, 2023 at 10:51 AM " id="id_d39_c9f5_af6e_d73d"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>The trail opens up here and we still have a few hundred meters to go to reach a shelter. The wind was blowing a bit and that helped knock the flies back a little bit. A very little bit. Dad and I got to the top a couple minutes before Mom. I think we all felt the climb. We wondered what the descent would be like as it looked like it had a similar level of steepness. The views would have been spectacular except for the hazy sky. The pointy mountain on the left is called something like Sugar Top though it doesn’t have any snow sugaring the top. We have been ascending for an hour, hiked 230 or so meters over just over 1,000 meters of hiking from where the trail really got steep. </p>
<p>—June 19, 2023 at 10:51 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-19-2023-111030.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 19, 2023 at 11:10 AM " id="id_2da_232d_89f6_19af"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>I am not sure if we should call this an alpine lake or not. We are now above treeline in this area. We are at 276 meters above sea level and I think we will navigate around the lake for the next 2 or so kilometers. I do not know why swimming is prohibited which is a little sad as taking a dip after sweating our way up here would be tempting. Under the bright sun it feels like the temperature has risen above 70 F. </p>
<p>—June 19, 2023 at 11:10 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-19-2023-120818.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 19, 2023 at 12:08 PM " id="id_bfcb_f01d_5538_47a6"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>The trail around the lake sometimes moves away form the lake. What makes the trail remarkable is that it is made of flat (mostly) rocks that are placed like stepping stones to form the path on the boggy ground. I am confident that thousands of stones were placed to make the trail. How were they brought in? I think it must have been via helicopter. </p>
<p>—June 19, 2023 at 12:08 PM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-19-2023-124436.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 19, 2023 at 12:44 PM " id="id_a133_8385_60c6_c8ce"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>We are about to start our descent to the village of Alnes. It will be along a trail the notes say is rocky and sometimes steep and you need to be sure-footed. We expected to descend about 260 meters but hadn’t checked the distance. We actually thought it might be over 2km as we knew the walk ended (we thought) with a 1.5km roadwalk. Nope. </p>
<p>—June 19, 2023 at 12:44 PM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-19-2023-132648.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 19, 2023 at 1:26 PM " id="id_f9_2faa_bbc0_dc7e"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>We have been creeping down this steep, rock strewn, real pain of a trail for a half hour. Mom is standing between two huge bags that contain stones that we figure will be laid on the trail to continue improving it. It is a slog. It is not fun. If we are moving faster than 0.75KPH I’d be surprised. Photo by Jonathan </p>
<p>—June 19, 2023 at 1:26 PM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-19-2023-133107.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 19, 2023 at 1:31 PM " id="id_1e46_6a01_a5ca_e20a"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Looking back up the trail you can get a sense of what we have been dealing with. Ugh. Just ugh. Photo by Jonathan </p>
<p>—June 19, 2023 at 1:31 PM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-19-2023-140122.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 19, 2023 at 2:01 PM " id="id_79f3_1158_14e5_c8e8"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>As you can see the views are wonderful but the grind is continuing. We are over an hour into the descent and still have probably 140 meters elevation to drop and closer to 500 meters of trail to contend with. Just awful. Many younger folks have been heading up to the top and some coming down: all so much more adroitly than I. </p>
<p>—June 19, 2023 at 2:01 PM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-19-2023-161330.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 19, 2023 at 4:13 PM " id="id_a371_ae4d_8c98_7f18"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>We finished the abolutely wretched descent probably two hours after starting it. We then walked the road to the bus stop. It was a bit past 15:00 and we were pretty sure a bus would come by at 15:55 so taking the time to go into Alnes and find the cafe and get a close look at the lighthouse wasn’t going to happen since we certainly didn’t want to wait for a 16:55 bus. We are riding bus 32 back towards the connection point at Ytterland. However, along the way we would pause at Juv Snuplass for 15-20 minutes (planned stop) and I was able to take this photo. The whole journey took about 85 minutes so you can see why we didn’t want to catch a later bus. </p>
<p>—June 19, 2023 at 4:13 PM. </p>
</blockquote></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16916977482838143188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751014576163499345.post-49631744844209260792023-06-19T02:11:00.001-04:002023-06-19T02:11:48.158-04:00Norway & Finland: Day 3 in Alesund
<p><strong><a href="#photos">Jump to photos</a></strong></p>
<p>We had to adjust our plans due to the limitations of the public transportation network. On Sundays your options become rather limited so we decided to tackle what we had been thinking of as a local city walk though it isn’t actually in the city proper but above it.</p>
<p>We left the hotel just before 10:00 and walked through town (with a peek into a shop or two) before winding our way up 50 steps and a steep ascending road to the entrance to the city park. That bit of steepness is a prelude to the climb to come: 418 concrete and stone carved steps. I’d not be surprised to learn the steps ascend close to 100 meters over certainly less than 400 meters of travel. It’s a workout. As we climbed,it sprinkled ever so gently. Just enough to notice. But the climbing is worth the effort for the views you have.</p>
<p>Once we arrived at the top we began the walk along a paved path that wound its way through forested hillside that would feature an occasional opening in the trees for more fine views. Over the next 3.5km we followed this cement-like path gradually descending and enjoy a break now and then on a bench to just rest our feet and absorb the scene. People come up here to get a workout, to use an outdoor gym, to gaze at the views, or even to fly drones. Everyone is on foot. This is not, it seems, a bike path. That makes me happy. As we walked and the morning changed to afternoon the clouds moved away and the temperature steadily rose. In direct sunshine I would not be surprised to learn it was edging into the upper 60s and even touching 70. In the shade I am sure it was registering the recorded temperatures we noted on our phones of around 64 F. Wonderful.</p>
<p>Eventually we would leave the woodland path for the sidewalks of a suburb and find our way to the Sunnmøre museum. This is a cultural museum, like the Norsk Folkemuseum in Oslo, but we felt no real desire to explore the grounds after walking about 7km and climbing 169 meters and descending as much. We actually ended up doing this walk faster than the notes suggested (they give times for walking without breaks). We took a lot of leisurely breaks to extend our time outside which made this walk a bit better. It’s not a bad walk but it probably won’t live in our memories too long either. </p>
<p><a name="“photos”"></a></p><a name="“photos”">
<h2 id="photos">Photos</h2>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-18-2023-101844.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jun 18, 2023 at 10:18 AM " id="id_5071_ed3a_da14_8298"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>This cannon faces north about 62 meters above sea level. It’s probably a good 500 meters to the shoreline which seems like a fair bit of distance to me but I know nothing about artillery. For those wondering there is a metal rail fence here to ensure you don’t do something dangerously stupid. I thought it would be an interesting exorcize to remove it and present a view that the gunner would have seen. </p>
<p>—June 18, 2023 at 10:18 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-18-2023-102302.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jun 18, 2023 at 10:23 AM " id="id_2211_1dc4_2087_84"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>At this point we might be a bit over halfway up the 418 steps. This viewpoint is about 82 meters above sea level. It provides another fine view of the waters to the south of Alesund (I think). What is most notable here is the cruise ship. It really looks like a floating building but I doubt a typical building is home to as many people as a large (and this isn’t the biggest we have seen) cruise ship can hold. </p>
<p>—June 18, 2023 at 10:23 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-18-2023-103147.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jun 18, 2023 at 10:31 AM " id="id_b25b_cff_c8d0_ec28"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>At this point I am sure there are fewer than 80 steps to climb. Mom is approaching the 117 meters above sealevel point where I am standing. The majority of the steps are concrete (cement?) and probably the standard height. Now and then stone-carved steps must be dealt with and they tend to have slightly greater rises. You get frequent breaks, which I expect are gently climbing, between sets of steps. It’s a workout and I am glad we were climbing not descending which might make me feel more nervous. </p>
<p>—June 18, 2023 at 10:31 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-18-2023-103914.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jun 18, 2023 at 10:39 AM " id="id_ba4c_bb6f_decc_221b"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>At the top, well at the end of the steps. I suppose the highpoint is on top of the building to my right. The road jsut beyond is also a bit higher but this is the top for practical purposes about 140 meters (454 feet) above sealevel. We made the ascent in probably about 20 minutes. We were hardly the only ones climbing. However, once we got to the top the crowds thinned out and I wonder where they all went since they clearly were not following us along the paved path. We would soon take to the edge of the park at Fagerlia. </p>
<p>—June 18, 2023 at 10:39 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-18-2023-105130.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jun 18, 2023 at 10:51 AM " id="id_8bb0_a12d_375e_b17e"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Not long after we started along the forested path we found these wooden sculptures off to our right. I am not at all sure what they are supposed to be: creatures. Anyone know? Photo by Jonathan </p>
<p>—June 18, 2023 at 10:51 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-18-2023-105614.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jun 18, 2023 at 10:56 AM " id="id_7d52_d28d_7680_ec06"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>We followed a forested paved path to the end of the park for, I think, about 3.5km. There were a couple places we had to follow a road but they were short. While on the forest path we would now and then, as we gradually descended, pass through an open space in the trees. Here is one such example. Photo by Jonathan </p>
<p>—June 18, 2023 at 10:56 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-18-2023-130825.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jun 18, 2023 at 1:08 PM " id="id_1496_b1cf_5c53_20da"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>After leaving the forested path for the last time our last several hundred meters were on wide sidewalks and over a major highway to reach the Sunnmøre Museum. We saw this mirror-smooth body of water creating some fine reflections just before reaching the museum building. We didn’t explore the grounds. By this point we had walk about 7km on hard durable surfaces which is tiring on the feet. We were ready for the walk to be done. Photo by Judy</p>
<p>—June 18, 2023 at 1:08 PM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-18-2023-153011.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jun 18, 2023 at 3:30 PM " id="id_364_6d37_3e72_a002"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>—June 18, 2023 at 3:30 PM. </p>
</blockquote></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16916977482838143188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751014576163499345.post-85606365847762223672023-06-18T08:54:00.001-04:002023-06-18T08:54:03.326-04:00Norway & Finland: Day 2 in Alesund
<p><strong><a href="#photos">Jump to the photos</a></strong></p>
<p>I went to sleep pretty quickly after returning from the ill-fated dinner and when I woke up somewhat after sunrise I felt much better. Here waking up somewhat after sunrise means I was moving about a bit before 05:00 as sunrise was just before 04:00. I wasn’t exactly thrilled to have 3 hours to kill before I could go get breakfast. I worked on these journals as the day brightened to reveal an overcast morning. That’s about all I could tell from the un-interesting view of this third floor room. City sounds drifted up and the cries of Herring gulls pierced the air as time dragged on by. Hotel Brosundet doesn’t have as extensive a breakfast buffet as the Thon Hotel Storo did but then this hotel probably is nowhere near as large. They certainly offer a grander variety than I think you’ll find in many places and we had little trouble finding enough to eat.</p>
<p>Most of the walks require getting to and from the terminus points of the walks via public transportation. The bus network here is clearly extensive though maybe not always frequent. Of course, you have to expect that on weekends, especially Sundays, that this would be true. For our first walk we had the option of a bus that ran on a mostly hourly schedule throughout the morning and early afternoon. That timing would stretch out later in the day to between once every 90-120 minutes. The bus station is about a five minute walk from the hotel and we arrived there with plenty of time to spare. If you want to buy some clothing, food, or who knows what else, you can do that while you wait for your bus. The number 3 bus arrived promptly at 10:10 and we were soon on our way to Vigra island and the Roald Nature Reserve located just north of Roald village. 35 minutes later we got off and thus would begin our first walk under overcast, mid-50s, skies.</p>
<p>One big point for doing this walk first was that at the end there is a highly recommended, at least by Inntravel, boulangerie. The Rykende Fersk Boulangerie is open just a few days (I think Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday) between 10:00-16:00. </p>
<p>This is essentially a circular walk of about 7.9km with an ascent of about 100 meters and, naturally, a descent of the same amount. That ascent and descent would happen in a pretty short stretch of linear trail but though we knew that from looking at the notes it wouldn’t sink in until we actually tackled the climbs which don’t appear until about kilometer 5. We expected a pleasant, reasonably easy, walk that would give us a nice introduction to the land and seas of the area.</p>
<p>We started out on minor roads that soon got smaller and within a few hundred meters left the small homes behind for a generally grassy path that would follow the coast. Now and then spots of mud and short stretches of rocks (nothing to bother you) would present themselves. Birds called to each other, the waves crashed against the shore off to our right, a smell - not wholly pleasant - of sea and rotting seaweed (and other stuff?) tickled our noses. We walked on through white flowers and swaths of buttercups. The only sunshine we saw was when we held buttercups under our chins to catch the little yellow glow. </p>
<p>As we moved westward we noted that the land rose up , and rather quickly at that, in a series of hills to our left. We would climb to the top of that landform in time. For now we continued on with the ocean to our right and, for a short time, a modest herd of brown cows to our left. The cows glanced at us and seemed to follow us but really I think they were just following the tasty grasses they were devouring. We continued on.</p>
<p>The notes say this is the <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roaldsand_Wildlife_Sanctuary">Roald Nature Reserve</a> but I do not know how big it is or really what that means. It’s land that can, obviously, be worked. It’s land that has been worked for a while. We would pass the remains of an old shelter at one point. A couple of rusting out large wagon wheels lay on the ground near the sea too. The path we were following was squishy enough to make me think of a wetland. There are beaches but you’ll not be tempted to bring a blanket and picnic on them (maybe at the lighthouse we did not visit). I can see and hear why this area would be favored by a variety of birds as it is lush. But it probably is also a bit harsh when the winds blow in from the north off the ocean. There isn’t much in the way of tree coverage.</p>
<p>In time our course would turn away from the northern shore and we would curl around a field (at least that is what it seemed like to us) that would take us near a lighthouse. Had we all agreed to go there I suspect it would have made a decent place for lunch. It was past noon and the clouds were clearing away. However, we continued on through a village (it may be called Molnes but I think that refers to a spot on the map not the name of the hamlet) that is clearly tiny before we turned to face those steep sided hills that are the prominent land feature here. We found a place to settle down for lunch; to fuel up for the steep climb.</p>
<p>The walking notes tell us the climb will be steep and they aren’t wrong. It looks like from where we had lunch to where the picnic tables (no we couldn’t wait to have lunch there) at the top of the hills are the path rises 100 meters over perhaps 600 meters of distance. It does this in two hill climbs and the second is far steeper than the first which is hardly gradual. I would not be surprised if the steeper portion had a grade over 25%. You’ll feel it as you climb. But the footing is actually quite good though I certainly am glad we were not descending the trail. In about half an hour we had all reached the picnic tables to settle down for a well-deserved rest. By this time the clouds were all but gone and a sun beamed down upon us making it feel warmer than the upper 50s it probably was. We relaxed and soaked in the 360° views from this local highpoint. Soon we saw a lady coming up the far gentler slope we would soon descend. She arrived, opened up the green metal box we had noticed, and signed the register book. Had she not done that I am pretty sure we would not have realized that was what the box was. In hindsight it’s obvious. She turned around and went back down the trail and we followed. At this point the walk has about 2.5km to go before reaching its end at the bus stop just beyond the Rykende Fersk Boulangerie and a large portion of that is along paved roads. The portion that isn’t on roads descends a pretty gradual trail that won’t bother anyone with full vision and normal agility. It’s a bit slower going for me but not really a problem. It doesn’t have much to remark upon as the World War II site, of some sort, is pretty much gone and not worth checking out. We reached the heart of Roald village just as the 14:55pm number 3 bus was picking up a couple of people. We could have boarded the bus and headed back to Alesund but the boulangerie was calling so we went there knowing we would have to wait 2 hours for the next bus to arrive. It was worth the wait.</p>
<p>Roald (pronounce “Row-al”)
Is the largest village on Vigra. If there were any shops in the village besides the bakery we did not see them. The bakery has been there for a few years and is owned by a Russian emigre who moved here over 16 years ago from Siberia to work as an au pair. She met her eventual husband and settled here. The bakery seems to serve just local costumers and just for a few months per year.We thoroughly enjoyed our pastries and drinks.</p>
<p>When we left for the bus stop the wind was whipping up whitecaps on the sea and that chilled us right down. Wind makes such a difference in how you feel about the weather. We huddled against the breeze as we waited for the 16:55 number 3 bus. It arrived on time and we settled down for the 50 minute drive back to Alesund. It’s a shame I did not bring a USB-A-lightning cable because the bus is equipped with charging ports on every seatback. The transit system here is quite good. We got back to town and it was a quick walk back to the hotel. A good day for our first full day.</p>
<p><a name="“photos”"></a></p><a name="“photos”">
<h2 id="photos">Photos</h2>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-17-2023-104737.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jun 17, 2023 at 10:47 AM " id="id_200b_c9f2_e27b_f688"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>We spent about 35 minutes on bus 3 to reach the starting point of our walk in the Roald Nature Reserve located on Vigra Island. The walk should be a nice introduction to the region and we hope to find the Rykende Fersk Boulangerie. </p>
<p>—June 17, 2023 at 10:47 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-17-2023-105921.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jun 17, 2023 at 10:59 AM " id="id_93a4_25fb_ee30_32e9"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>After a couple hundred meters on a road we turn onto grassy paths. It is an overcast morning and feels much cooler than it probably is because it isn’t sunny. The actual temperature is probably in the low-mid 50s. </p>
<p>—June 17, 2023 at 10:59 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-17-2023-110854.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jun 17, 2023 at 11:08 AM " id="id_ae43_2f51_c33_5ecc"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Mom is standing amongst these white flowers that we saw in great numbers. </p>
<p>—June 17, 2023 at 11:08 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-17-2023-113020.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jun 17, 2023 at 11:30 AM " id="id_3101_4bd4_6879_f6b0"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>This herd of cows seemed to follow us a short way. But really I suspect they were just finding better spots to graze.<br>
Photo by Judy</p>
<p>—June 17, 2023 at 11:30 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-17-2023-113103.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jun 17, 2023 at 11:31 AM " id="id_1a44_c483_1f80_3d8b"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>This is part of a 1.8-kilometer long stretch of grassy, slightly muddy and now and then rocky, path that keeps pretty close to the shoreline. It isn’t much of a view right now with the overcast sky but it is nice to have the ocean nearby with all its sights, sounds, and even smells. Photo by Jonathan </p>
<p>—June 17, 2023 at 11:31 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-17-2023-115617.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jun 17, 2023 at 11:56 AM " id="id_f6eb_c94_ad14_5195"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Not too visible but throughout this stretch we have seen an awful lot of buttercups. They add a touch of pleasure to this rich green area. Photo by Jonathan </p>
<p>—June 17, 2023 at 11:56 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-17-2023-120420.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jun 17, 2023 at 12:04 PM " id="id_3cc7_eb52_16b5_84c9"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>The people and the life upon the land are providing the majority of the color. The sky is gray and the sea and distant land are gray or shrouded in light gray mist. It’s still a fine day to be out for a hike. </p>
<p>—June 17, 2023 at 12:04 PM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-17-2023-122416.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jun 17, 2023 at 12:24 PM " id="id_d2b4_b0da_7445_2ae5"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>We are circumnavigating this field and in time get nearer to the lighthouse you can see in the background. Perhaps we should have detoured there for lunch but unless everyone agrees to go it doesn’t happen. </p>
<p>—June 17, 2023 at 12:24 PM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-17-2023-130728.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jun 17, 2023 at 1:07 PM " id="id_3f8f_4d3a_8584_bfca"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>After passing by the small village (name unknown) we turned towards the local hills we had kept to our left as we hiked along the coast. Those hills rise to peaks about 120 meters above sealevel. Before we tackled the climb we had lunch at this spot. The overcast has been steadily vanishing and it is turning into a brilliantly sunny afternoon. </p>
<p>—June 17, 2023 at 1:07 PM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-17-2023-131115.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jun 17, 2023 at 1:11 PM " id="id_a040_7104_4e7_ebb6"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Perhaps about one third of the way to the top. This view takes in the shoreline and lands to our east which is back where we started. </p>
<p>—June 17, 2023 at 1:11 PM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-17-2023-131839.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jun 17, 2023 at 1:18 PM " id="id_3a4b_7a25_e1a9_6a38"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>The notes for this walk state that there is a very steep section in this stretch. Here it is and I am very glad we ascended the path isntead of descending it. Photo by Jonathan </p>
<p>—June 17, 2023 at 1:18 PM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-17-2023-132414.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jun 17, 2023 at 1:24 PM " id="id_907a_4631_cada_6c44"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>I decided to pull ahead of Mom and Dad. Sometimes it is easier to just plug on ahead and get the climb done. It was as steep as it seemed but the footing was good. Photo by Jonathan </p>
<p>—June 17, 2023 at 1:24 PM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-17-2023-132929.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jun 17, 2023 at 1:29 PM " id="id_ed81_cf93_a983_4fa6"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>I am at the top and looking to the southwest. At this point I am about 118 meters above sealevel and Mom and Dad are just a handful of minutes behind me. It is a wonderful afternoon. Sunny, upper 50s, little wind, fantastic views in all directions. </p>
<p>—June 17, 2023 at 1:29 PM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-17-2023-133534.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 17, 2023 at 1:35 PM " id="id_4aca_f590_f584_76d1"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Mom is approaching the top. If you just want to experience the grand views you could walk from Roald village up the gentler slopes (we are about to descend) the 2.5km to get to this area. But even though the climb was steep the whole walk is worth the effort. </p>
<p>--June 17, 2023 at 1:35 PM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-17-2023-142617.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jun 17, 2023 at 2:26 PM " id="id_664e_d5c0_d99f_381f"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>At this point there is probably still well over 2km to go. But this is the last photo of the hike. What goes up has to go back down and we did so on far gentler grades than we just contended with. In time we reached roads that took us the final several hundred meters into the village of Roald where we got to enjoy quite tasty pastries and cappuccinos at the Rykende Fersk Boulangerie. We could have caught the 14:55 #3 bus but we very much wanted to try out the boulangerie even though it meant hanging out for an extra 2 hours for the 16:55 bus. It was worth it as we not only had good food but interesting conversations between us and the shop’s owner. </p>
<p>—June 17, 2023 at 2:26 PM. </p>
</blockquote></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16916977482838143188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751014576163499345.post-62701133647402155642023-06-17T02:45:00.001-04:002023-06-17T02:45:13.178-04:00Norway & Finland: Day 1 in Alesund (Ålesund)
<p>We visited Ålesund <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%85lesund?wprov=sfti1">aka Alesund</a> briefly in 2015 as we cruised the Norwegian coast (surprisingly I can’t find any blog posts for that trip). On that trip we passed through on the Hurigruten MMS Vesterålen cruise cruising from Bergen to Kirkenes. This time we are going to spend 7 nights here exploring the area. The fun and interesting bits started almost from the outset.</p>
<p>Alesund can be best described as a collection of islands and, perhaps, a part of the mainland. Mountains, many still topped with snow, are not that far away. I suspect, from just looking at the town nearby, that the land quickly rises from sea level. There certainly are some notable hills nearby. This should hardly be a surprise in a land known for its numerous fjords. We landed on the island called Vigra. To get to our hotel it was a simple matter of boarding the Fb65 bus and riding it to near the Alesund city center. The ride takes about 30 minutes and you travel through two long tunnels, one easily requiring 4 minutes to traverse. It was a short walk from where we were dropped off to the Hotel Brosundet. Once we settled ourselves into our rooms we took a bit of time to explore the immediate surrounds. Perhaps we should have tackled the suggested city walk by Inntravel but we were not that ambitious. Parts of the town, especially by the waterfront, seemed to be bustling with activity. Other parts seemed rather dead, but we only walked a couple miles so obviously we only saw a tiny bit. It was a lovely afternoon under clear mild skies. There was a brisk wind but with the sun beating down upon us the upper 50s temperature was quite comfortable. It’s a startling change in weather conditions from what we were feeling in Oslo. Much of that is because the climate here is strongly influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. Oslo’s climate is considered continental and so is warmer in the summer and cooler in the winter than here (and I think Oslo was in the grip of a heat wave). If the weather holds we should be quite content.</p>
<p>Our walk took us past countless boats including a couple rather large yachts. I can be impressed and perhaps a bit appalled by vessels like these. I am pretty sure they were private craft. Not even small commercial cruise ships. I expect we will see more of the city some other time. After all, we have to find several restaurants for dinners. </p>
<p>Dinner would prove to be a minor adventure. We had decided to try Ammo. The pizzas caught our eye. Perhaps they are not traditional Norwegian fare but it is what we wanted. When we arrived we found that the power was out. Power was out in many parts of town. We settled in to wait for power to return. In short order power did return and we were able to eat. We were a bit surprised that the place was pretty empty as we had been lead to believe when we got a reservation by the skin of our teeth.Maybe people cancelled when they noticed the power outage. Dinner should have been great but something in my smoked ham, tomato sauce, cheese, fresh oregano pizza did not agree with me. I suppose I will never know what and fortunately the problem did not last long but it was disturbing nonetheless.</p>
<p>Our first few hours in Alesund have shown us that the town appears to be lively. I suspect if I wanted to find some local live music I probably could. I am pretty sure I heard a marching band from my hotel window just before we left for dinner. If we don’t run into any serious trouble getting to and from our walks and manage our time well I think we will have a good experience.</p>
<h2>Photos</h2>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-16-2023-162118.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 16, 2023 at 4:21 PM " id="id_ddc0_d90a_1cc0_2948"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Hotel Brosindet does have a side facing the water. Our rooms don’t have water views. Here is a glimpse of nearby water. </p>
<p>—June 16, 2023 at 4:21 PM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-16-2023-170220.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 16, 2023 at 5:02 PM " id="id_7e8c_6419_d429_2a86"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>We took a short walk through a small part of Ålesund (pronounced a bit like Olesund with a short “O”). We found ourselves on a dock with a couple big yachts looking northwesterly out across the Atlantic Ocean towards several islands. It doesn’t show well but a lone cloud is shrouding one island in haze. </p>
<p>--June 16, 2023 at 5:02 PM. </p>
</blockquote>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16916977482838143188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751014576163499345.post-82112398443745246762023-06-16T01:23:00.001-04:002023-06-16T01:44:51.316-04:00Norway & Finland: Day 2 in Oslo
<p>This would prove to be a much less eventful day. We really only had one place to visit. Perhaps we should have been more ambitious with our plans but I certainly didn’t really do any research into things to do beyond some pretty basic stuff and Mom and Dad did not do much more. We also seemed to be in something of a low-energy state.</p>
<p>We wanted to visit the Vigeland Scuplture Park. It’s actually located in Frogner Park. The sculpture park is 80 acres in size and is home to the Vigeland Installation composed of 221 bronze and granite sculptures depicting home and social life from the very young to the old. The capstone is the Monolith which rises some 17 meters and is covered in what appear, from a distance, to be twisting curving carvings but are actually people climbing to reach the top. </p>
<p>It is a remarkable installation and you certainly get a sense of what Gustav Vigeland intended his people to be doing in each sculpture. It’s also just a pleasant place to walk through a nice city park.</p>
<p>We left the park just before noon. Dad had a store he wanted to visit and we decided to walk the couple of kilometers to where we thought it was. It wasn’t a terribly exciting walk from my point of view but it did expose us to a bit more of the city especially the park that surrounds the palace. Unfortunately we never did find the store. Perhaps it is closed and gone. We did eventually find ourselves having what will no doubt rank as one of the worst lunchtime dining experiences as far as the food goes we have endured in some time. It was a chain restraint and while it surely must have countless fans it was not good for us. To be fair they did their best to make things right. </p>
<p>We did see the ticketing system on the public transit system in action. While returning to the hotel on a tram a ticket inspector came down the aisle. I opened the Ruter app, tapped the Inspect Ticket button, he scanned the ticket and that was that. </p>
<h2>Photos</h2>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-15-2023-103501.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 15, 2023 at 10:35 AM " id="id_aa48_8545_241d_f7f3"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>There are 212 bronze and granite sculptures all created by Gustav Vigeland in this park. This bronze is just one example of a glimpse into a human activity (granted not something you would expect to do). Photo by Jonathan. </p>
<p>—June 15, 2023 at 10:35 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-15-2023-104311.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 15, 2023 at 10:43 AM " id="id_5dcd_5f16_d5f7_ddc7"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Along the main promonade you slowly ascend level by level until you reach the top. On every level you find fountains. This is, I believe, the grandest of all of them. Photo by Jonathan. </p>
<p>—June 15, 2023 at 10:43 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-15-2023-105412.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 15, 2023 at 10:54 AM " id="id_edac_f7eb_5ad0_4449"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>One of the perhaps 39 sculptures (all granite), that surround the Monolith. These range from younger adults, sometimes with children, to considerably older adults. We think this might be the quintessential couple enjoying each other’s company. </p>
<p>—June 15, 2023 at 10:54 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-15-2023-105902.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 15, 2023 at 10:59 AM " id="id_b34b_8411_fcb9_ad07"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>The Monolith depicts people scrambling to reach the top. I actually do not see it but then I am hardly the best judge of visual arts. </p>
<p>—June 15, 2023 at 10:59 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-15-2023-111908.jpeg" alt="Photo taken Jun 15, 2023 at 11:19 AM " id="id_8865_7f72_3a46_ac9"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>The morning has been warming up and we fully expect the temperature to creep well above 80F again. These few clouds likely did not hang around all that long. Later in the mid-afternoon the sky would cloud over and we actually felt a drop or two of rain but those would clear out too. Here you can get a sense for the several level you climb to reach the 17-meter high Monolith. </p>
<p>—June 15, 2023 at 11:19 AM. </p>
</blockquote>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16916977482838143188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751014576163499345.post-77871949903240113752023-06-15T03:20:00.001-04:002023-06-15T03:20:12.751-04:00Norway & Finland: Day 1 in Oslo
<p>Our flights from Rhode Island to Oslo, Norway were in retrospect about as good as I suppose you can ask for. We spent an annoying amount of time sitting in planes not moving until we were moving. We spent an annoying amount of time in airports, especially in Stockholm, waiting in lines or sitting around. We had surprisingly limited success finding decent food especially in Stockholm. However, with all that said we got to Oslo when we expected to and our luggage arrived with us. </p>
<p>Our first afternoon we just settled into our sparsely furnished (it’s the style) hotel rooms and then went in search of food. There is a good sized shopping center, rather densely packed with all sorts of stores from an adequate grocery store, to several eateries, to shops selling higher end kitchen-ware. After sating our need for something tastier than poor airplane food we returned to the hotel and pretty much called it a day. Our first full day would start after we all caught up, hopefully, on sleep.</p>
<p>For my part that sleep was not all that good. This happens to me often it seems on first days of trips. But this was a seemingly bad case. I hoped I would keep busy enough throughout the day to be able to push back feeling low. I pretty much succeeded. We started our day with a good varied breakfast from the incredibly varied breakfast buffet here at Thon Hotel Storo. While some of the food may not be of premium quality, e.g., the scrambled eggs were more liquidy than they should’ve been and the fruit is nothing special, there was plenty that was more than good enough.We would leave the hotel a bit after 09:00 under clear blue, and warming quickly, skies. Our first goal was to get tickets for the public transit system. That didn’t work out as well as it should have. We went to a little shop, sells all sorts of things from SIM card that only Norwegians can use (we still haven’t found a SIM card so can’t really text or make voice calls; I have a data-only eSIM) to snacks and sundries to transit passes. Except that they were out of passes. How do you run out of day passes? I found an app that lets you purchase tickets and I did so but we have no real idea how you confirm the purchase. At every train station we have seen so far there doesn’t seem an obvious way to confirm your purchase. We think they must realy be on an honor system here because there is no obvious reason a person couldn’t just board a train and go wherever they want without paying.</p>
<p>Eventually we got ourselves to central Oslo (Oslo-S or Oslo Sentrum) where our first highlight of the day: a few hundred meters away snuggled up against the waterfront, part of the <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oslofjord">Oslofjord</a> (the Oslofjord is not an actual fjord in the geological sense. In Norwegian a “fjord” can refer to all sorts of waterways), the Opera House. The building is remarkable. The standout feature is the exterior ramp that climbs up and around the building to reach the roof. From there you have decent, though not really jaw dropping, views of the waterfront.It’s worth the climb just because how often do you get to do something like that. Besides the views of waterfront buildings and big boats you can get a glimpse of some local beaches. More grassy and/or pebbly beaches than stretches of fine sandy beaches. Beaches nonetheless that people could stretch out on, soaking up sun, and enjoy perhaps jumping in the water. The interior of the opera house is spacious and rather interesting to look at. Perhaps we should have, as I think Dad wanted, settled down inside for a snack and coffee. </p>
<p>We left the opera house and strolled along the waterfront towards Astrup Fearnley Museum. It’s an easy stroll but not actually a particularly pretty one for much of it. You move away from the water for a time and though the views of an old extensive, no longer used as such, fortress are kind of always visible (it’s been redone to be used for different stuff now), it’s along a noisy busy road. Once you regain the waterfront you pass by all manner of boats including some interesting refurbished craft including an old mine sweeper. You come to a slew of restaurants and it gets lively. The Astrup Fearnley,among others, comes up and we found an interesting, if not large, lunch there at the cafe. We also learned a bit more about the people taking time at the local beach. All young, seemingly young adults, and pretty much all the women in bikinis and men in shorts, lounging about, chatting, listening to music, enjoying a sunny day with temperatures edging towards 80F. Some of those people were jumping off into what must be fairly deep water and climbing back out via the many ladders along the seawall. Surely that was a chilly dip.</p>
<p>After some trials and tribulations, eased somewhat by Dad’s total willingness to ask anyone for help, we found our way to the ferry dock to catch a boat to the island that is home for the <a href="https://norskfolkemuseum.no">Norsk Folke Museum</a>. This is an open-air museum dedicated to the Norwegian culture. We particularly wanted to see the 12-century stave church. There are, I believe, actually well over 100 buildings in the complex but we were focused on the church. The Gol Stave Church was originally built in the latter half of the 12-century in Gol. The term, stave church, refers to the type of constructions using staves (wooden pilars) and lintels to provide the support for the structure. The church is really special to look at from the outside though you won’t see it in the photo too well. THe triangular and curved roofs stack wonderfully atop each other. They are crowned by spirals that curve out like the prow of a ship. Inside it is remarkably open but dark. Imagine yourself as a parishioner standing for well over four hours listening to a service presented in Latin. Keep in mind that the only person likely to know what is being said is the priest. If you are fortunate you are a man who can at least stand farther from the north-facing door that is letting chill air in. That chill breeze is being blocked by the women. Men and women are all standing but in segregated groups.</p>
<p>The Folke Museum is located on one of many islands in the area of the Oslo harbor. I believe this island is called Bygdøy. Our walk from the ferry dock to the museum and then farther to the dock by the Fram Museum took us through seemingly upscale neighborhoods. Big house, nice cars, clearly plenty of families with children. It didn’t feel like we were in a big city. We caught the ferry back to the mainland and after working our way through the increasing throngs of people found our way onto the packed train, it was rush hour after all, that would take us back to our hotel. A good day featuring some nice highlights over perhaps 7 miles of walking and nearly 8 hours of time. If I could say we ended our first day with a lovely dinner that would be great. I can’t say that. It’s probably not ideal to form an impression of a restaurant after just one meal but the food at Sumo was not well served and the staff were not as attentive as they should have been. </p>
<h2>Photos</h2>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-14-2023-104847.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jun 14, 2023 at 10:48 AM " id="id_1800_2c4f_d5a2_ac93"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>The sculpture is distinctive. It’s called Earth and Sun . </p>
<p>—June 14, 2023 at 10:48 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-14-2023-105426.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jun 14, 2023 at 10:54 AM " id="id_eb4a_5b6b_2f74_100c"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Look at the sloping ramp that curls around the Oslo Opera House. You can climb the ramp to the roof of the building and see some nice, though perhaps not as awe-inspiring as some would hope, views of the Oslofjord. </p>
<p>—June 14, 2023 at 10:54 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-14-2023-105837.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jun 14, 2023 at 10:58 AM " id="id_5530_1647_dacd_ee51"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>It’s a steady moderate climb up to the top of the Oslo Opera House. Mom is making progress. Photo by Jonathan. </p>
<p>—June 14, 2023 at 10:58 AM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-14-2023-135525.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jun 14, 2023 at 1:55 PM " id="id_6f1a_44ae_2409_b510"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>—June 14, 2023 at 1:55 PM. </p>
</blockquote>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-14-2023-143500.JPEG" alt="Photo taken Jun 14, 2023 at 2:35 PM " id="id_830_ecbc_ea0f_edac"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Ken standing in front of this restored 12th-century stave church that was restored in 1885 and moved to the Norwegian Museum of Culture History. Photo by Jonathan. </p>
<p>—June 14, 2023 at 2:35 PM. </p>
</blockquote>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16916977482838143188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751014576163499345.post-90223656685565929932023-06-08T16:59:00.001-04:002023-06-08T16:59:15.753-04:00 Dinner Outside: Pesto and Smoked Cheddar on Baguettes, Brisket, and Smoked Potatoes
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://youtube.com/watch?v=rTt4EqrLEMs&feature=share" title="Play Dinner Outsidr: Brisket, Potatoes, and More"><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/rTt4EqrLEMs.JPEG" alt="Play video Dinner Outsidr: Brisket, Potatoes, and More " id="id_881_5a80_94e7_83e1"></a><br>
<a href="https://youtube.com/watch?v=rTt4EqrLEMs&feature=share" id="id_44de_da30_e047_a3c5">▶️ Play Dinner Outsidr: Brisket, Potatoes, and More</a></p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Quick Pickles</h2>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/IMG_0418.JPEG" alt="Homemade quick cucumber pickles" id="id_5aa5_5178_8f9b_2c93"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Home quick cucumber pickles.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>These should be kept in the refrigerator. They are a quick pickle recipe that uses vinegar to create the pickles. Dissolve the sugar and salt in the vinegar (you can do this faster by bringing the vinegar to a boil), add the water and other spices. I filled my jars with the cucumbers and placed slices of garlic in the jars at the same time. After tightly filling the jars with your vegetables pour the vinegar-water mixture. Completely over the vegetables. Let the jars, I was using 2 16-ounce mason jars, cool and place them in your refrigerator. You’ll have pickles in a few hours but the flavor improves with age so it’s best to wait.</p>
<ul>
<li>6 mini cucumbers</li>
<li>2/3 cups Distilled White Vinegar</li>
<li>1 Cup water</li>
<li>1 TBSP Kosher Salt</li>
<li>2 TBSP Sugar</li>
<li>1 tsp Mustard Seeds</li>
<li>2 tsp dill weed</li>
<li>2 Garlic Cloves, peeled and sliced</li>
<li>1 tsp peppercorns</li>
</ul>
<p>Enough for 1 1-quart jar</p>
<h2>Rustic (chunky) Pesto:</h2>
<p><img style="width: 800px; height: auto" src="https://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/wanderingknight/June-04-2023-160707.JPEG" alt="making the pesto " id="id_fa72_1994_d841_5f5c"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Smashing and shushing the ingredients to make the pesto. </p>
</blockquote>
<p>There are, like the quick pickles, numerous recipes for making pesto. By far the easiest way to do this is to use a food processor. You certainly will get something much more puree-like. But I like wielding my pestle inside my mortar. We really should have gone much farther than we did and probably used more basil to make it a nice green color but what we made was quite good.</p>
<p>This creates a more nut-heavy
pesto. I’ve seen many recipes
that use triple or more the amount
of basil. </p>
<ul>
<li>4 garlic cloves, peeled</li>
<li>1 ounce basil</li>
<li>1/4 cup olive oil (a bit less)</li>
<li>1/2 cup pecans (toasted)</li>
<li>1 ounce parmesan cheese, grated</li>
<li>Big pinch of salt</li>
</ul>
<p>This is enough for one typical size baguette.</p>
<p>In the video we doubled, except for the oil which we admittedly uses too little, this recipe. </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16916977482838143188noreply@blogger.com0