Day 4

Torpshammar to Fränsta

Distance: 5.9 miles / 9.5 km

Cumulative: 49.1 miles / 79.0 km

“Hi Lloyd. A little slow tonight isn’t it?” Jack Torrance, The Shining, 1980

I didn’t sleep well last night. Maybe it was the distant sound of ballroom dancing. This morning did nothing to dispel The Shining vibe. We had seen or heard no one since we arrived—no staff, no other guests, no one. Despite this we dutifully marched over to the main building of the hotel, now unlocked, at the appointed time for breakfast, and found the main dining room. 

THERE IS NO ONE HERE!

Food was laid out, and the coffee was hot so we served ourselves. Finally, an individual emerged from the kitchen. I don’t know if it made feel better or worse that it was the same guy who ran the Happy Days Diner. But it did make me chuckle. We ate, made some sandwiches, and headed out. 

The morning was overcast with a little drizzle. Since we had a short day we waited for the rain to pass and took off at 10:00 am. This was the shortest day of the pilgrimage at just under six miles. The walk was much like yesterday’s, through fields and forests on mostly dirt roads. 

Our accommodations tonight are more welcoming—a small cabin next to someone’s home. Unlike most days, our meals are not included so after arriving around noon and dropping our packs we headed into the little town. 

Near the center of town we found a mini-golf course so naturally we played a round. 

The course was… interesting. 

We stopped by the Coop for tomorrow’s breakfast and lunch supplies then grabbed an early dinner at Vagabond Pizza, the only option but good. Now it’s time for me to crush Kristine in a game of cribbage and then an early bedtime.