NORWAY'S END

We departed Holsen and headed north to Lom so we could head south to Denmark.  The drive was incredible on the western side of Norway.  We followed the Sunnfjord for many kilometers on a narrow highway and it was a rainy morning.  Low clouds hung over the mountains, but the fjord was beautiful and the mountain benches lush green.  We went to Urnes to view our fourth Stave Church and it was worth the 22K drive down a one way road used by traffic in both directions.  Pullovers helped  when an oncoming car came into view.  The church is said to be the oldest of the 28 still standing Stave Churches.  We had a very interesting tour and learned much about the use of the church.  Carved entrance posts ( now put on one outside wall ) are patterns used in making Viking style jewelry and have much influence from the Celts.  Serpentine twists and turns seem dominant and all have meaning within the design.
Through the high mountain we drove through melting snow that made for rushing green glacial rivers.  It reached a low 13C there and we saw many tents where folks were camping on what seemed like freezing ground.  Even though the rugged high peaks were awesome ( in the true sense of the word), they were a bit intimidating.  It was a grand experience and we won't soon forget the feeling of being there.  We came to a town called Lom where lots of folks were camping.  Fishing and hiking were the main interests at least for summer fun.  We stayed in a log cabin hotel there and bought bread and sweet rolls from the famous bakery that has its own fame for destination.  There is even a Zip-line across the massive tumbling, rushing waters that makes it way through this rustic village.  It is a place for outdoors people in all seasons.
There, too, is a Stave Church.  This one still used every Sunday for church services.  On three sides of the church grounds is a beautiful kempt cemetery.  All graves have lovely live flowers and grass was beautifully manicured.  It was our fifth viewing of a church of this kind.  They hold such interest as each has its own "personality"
After a good night's rest, we drove onto the eastern side of Norway which proved to be much different than the West.  At times I felt like I was in Montana as the vegetation and terrain is similar.  Good road conditions brought us to a small town named Asta where we stayed in a charming B&B.  Hearing a different dialect and manner of speech proved to be different, too.  We were told that the two sides were different.  Now I wonder about the difference in the North and the South!  Another trip, I guess!!