Day 14: From Norway to Sweden

An early departure from Oslo with the promise of rain for most of the day. We have been pretty lucky so far, however, getting rain when we travel and sun when we stop. That's a pattern that is hard to beat. From Oslo, the drive took us north to Hamar, then east through Elverum, Midtskogen, and Trysil, then crossing into Sweden to the Dalarna region, passing through Sälen, Mora, and Rättvik before stopping at the Hotel Dalecarlia in Tällberg on the shores of Lake Siljan.

At Elverum, we were reminded of the fateful days of 9-10 April, 1940, when invading German forces tried to capture, then kill the Norwegian royal family, the government and the members of Parliament (Storting). At Elverum, the Storting members voted to authorize a government in exile should that become necessary, and at Midtskogen, a fierce battle delayed German progress sufficiently to allow the escape of the Norwegian royal family, government and Storting members.



Memorial stone at Midtskogen, commemorating the battle on April 9, 1940, delaying German forces as they moved to occupy the country and attempted to capture the Norwegian Royal Family.





Crossing the border into Sweden was barely noticeable. The street signs changed color and the houses seemed all to be painted red, but otherwise not much to mark that we had left Norway. Passing Sälen, we noticed the long open area where the famous Vasalöppet ski race begins every winter. The race traces a ski route of Gustav Vasa in reverse when he led the Swedes in their war of independence against Denmark and the Kalmar Union in the early 16th century. The race ends at Mora after 85 km and some four hours after it begins. In Mora, we exchanged some money and noted the huge local church proudly proclaiming that the tower had been added by King Carl XI in 1673. Seems like only yesterday.






Waiting out the rain are (left to right) Richard and Sally Wilson, Charles Osborn and Walt Reissig






From Mora, we headed for one of those places that seem both comical and charming. Nusnäs is a little village with a small factory producing one of Sweden's iconic images, the Dala horse. With the timing of a stand-up comedian, the pleasant horse-carver told of the work in the little factory. Sixty carvers in the region supply thousands of little wooden horses that are painted red, blue, black, gray or neutral, then decorated and shipped all over the world. A three meter high horse currently exhibited at the Shanghai World Exposition threatens the little factory with the possibility of unlimited orders from China. Think of the potential, our carver noted wryly.











The Dalarna horses in the Nils Olsson Hemslöjd in Nusnäs await final touches and shipping to eager customers.



Arrival and check-in at the Hotel Dalecarlia brings an end to a fascinating day.



Looking out over Lake Siljan from the Hotel Dalecarlia





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