Rödön to Nälden
Distance: 15.5 miles / 24.9 km
Cumulative: 171.7 miles / 260.2 km
“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” Bob Marley
Distance: 15.5 miles / 24.9 km
Cumulative: 171.7 miles / 260.2 km
“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” Bob Marley
I mentioned that Astrid and Rickard (I apologize for misspelling his name yesterday) were both musicians. It seems they have a tradition of playing the Pilgrim’s March (written by Rickard) as their pilgrim guests walk away from their house. We were treated to such a send off this morning and it was delightful.
Astrid on the harpsichord and Rickard on the violin.
But the music was not finished with us. We soon came to the beautiful Rödön church, built during the Middle Ages, and heard organ music. Kristine unhesitatingly marched inside and we discovered a wonderful organist practicing for a concert this weekend. We managed to catch her rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody, seriously.
The first part of our walk continued along the shores of Storsjön Lake, the fifth largest lake in Sweden and home of the legendary Storsjöodjuret. Please don’t ask me to pronounce it, but it literally means The Great Lake Monster. The earliest mention of the beast is 1635. There have been hundreds of recorded sightings in the 19th and 20th century. Among them is Rickard, along with a dozen or so musicians who were playing near the shore. Rickard believes it was the horn section that attracted Storsjöodjuret. He showed us a clipping from the local paper so it must be true. We kept our eyes peeled, but didn’t see any 35 foot long, feline-headed serpents.
The morning was considerably cooler than yesterday and made for nice hiking. The day varied between small forest roads and paths through agricultural fields. It was generally a good hike, if a little long.
We found a conveniently located St. Olav picnic table a the top of a somewhat difficult hill for lunch.
About three miles from our destination, we came upon the Näskotts Church. It looked lovely but even Kristine couldn’t get us inside.
Tonight we are in a cabin with bunk beds outside Helene and Allen’s house. They served the most tasty strawberries and cream for dessert. Allen works at the moose museum.
Bathtub count is up to six.
Okay, have you figured out what it is with Swedes and abandoned bathtubs?! Seems like an odd item to just leave lying about. Livestock watering trough? impromptue pilgrim cleanup? I expect a full inquiry! - Mark K
ReplyDeleteWatering trough would make sense but many of them are upside down and not near livestock. We will continue to pursue it.
DeleteMelvin, I look forward to your posts each morning. Love those Swedish fences! Randy
ReplyDeleteI have to investigate why they are built like that.
ReplyDeleteThe fences remind me of metal snow fences I’ve seen in Montana and Idaho high country to keep snow drifts from being blown onto roads. Maybe it’s the more rustic Scandinavian version? - Mark K
ReplyDeleteYou said Astrid on harpsichord. I’m guessing it was an autoharp, but I’m willing to be wrong.
ReplyDelete