DAY 79 - 84
Day 79 - Blueberry pie
It was hard to start walking, but once I got back on the road, it was ok. Not much to say about the hike, I was surrounded by fields, trees and an occasional cow now and then. I was impatient to get to the car, so the last 3 km dragged on forever! But I got there in the end, and there Simon was, making blueberry pie.
We both have sweet tooth these days, so he decided to make a healthy cake. Containing almonds, coconut blossom sugar, bananas, and blueberries, this pie turned out to be one of the best things I have ever tasted.
While Simon was baking, I went outside to pick some more blueberries. The van was parked on a riverbank close to a waterfall and the forest. A beautiful spot!
When I was done and safe inside the van, it started to rain. It’s the best thing, to be inside when it’s raining!
Steps: 27 531
Day 80 - Stuck in the mud
I was going back on the trail today, and I was excited about it. But just when we were about to leave, the car got stuck in the mud. We tried to get it out for hours, but it only dug itself deeper and deeper. I went up to the road to try and get help while Simon continued the muddy battle. Just when we had given up, a Swedish couple drove by, hunting for mushrooms. They couldn't pull us up, but they drove to the closest farm to get someone who could, and 10 minutes later, the most willing helper with his tractor offered assistance. "Cool, this spices up my day," he said with a huge grin, and in a matter of seconds, we were out of the mud.
Free at last! So Simon drove to Feren, and my hike could continue. It felt so good to be back on the trail. The Autumn had changed the terrain while I'd been walking on the road. The trees were no longer just green, but yellow, red, and orange, and not only the trees but the moss and the marshes as well.
The rain came and went, and after I had descended the mountain, it started to pour down. Simon was on his way, so while waiting, I picked some raspberries I found before the red wonder came and saved me from the wet and the cold.
Steps: 26 873
Day 81 - I love cake!
Oh my, what an amazingly dull day. Maybe it was particularly dull after a day in the terrain and I was now back on a colorless road. The rain intensified my gloomy mood, but after 20 seemingly endless kilometers, I entered Coop Extra in Meråker and the gloom turned to wonder. I was not done hiking for the day, but I felt grateful for the opportunity to come to a shop and buy whatever I needed.
That’s what happens when you’ve been on the trail for a while, without a phone signal or human contact, and you have to be very careful not to eat the rest of your food because the next shop might not appear for another three weeks. How many times did I dream of going into a shop, to buy anything my heart desired? Well, now I could.
And the cake mix was 30% off… 'Nuff said!
Simon had parked the van outside the shop, so after buying some groceries, we had noodles and leftovers lunch in the car. I had a good, long break before I once again went into the shop, bought ice cream, and continued walking toward Bjørneggen.
Three hours later, it was enough! I called Simon, I picked me up, we found a spot to camp and made TACOS! Yippy-yaaa.
Steps: 43 813
Day 82 - 50 shades of colors
I headed for the Bjørneggen cabin in the early morning, wanting to get inside for a warm shower before getting on the trail and up in the mountains. Before reaching the cabin, however, I realized I had forgotten the key to the cabin in the van. @%#aaargh!
I had a small tantrum before I continued. My only chance of getting into the cabin now, was if it was occupied. To my great relief, a bunch of friendly hikers were about to leave when I got there, so I could slip inside for a quick wash.
It was a nice ascend up the mountain and all of a sudden, I was surrounded by colors. 50 shades of red, green, yellow, orange, and purple, it almost knocked the breath out of me.
I was heading for the Schultz cabin, but I decided to walk a kilometer or two towards Græsli instead, which was the destination for the following day. The terrain mainly consisted of marshes, so it was difficult to find a dry spot for my tent.
The final resting place of Paula Schultz?
Before the sun was setting, however, I had pitched up my mobile home, collected water and picked blueberries, and was ready for a good night’s sleep.
Steps: 36 488
Day 83 - Misty mood
I woke up to a glum and misty morning, reflecting my mood. My legs felt heavy, and the wet mud didn't speed things up. I had to take breaks often, and the drizzle of rain was ever present. Finally reaching the Græsli cabin, I had to stumble downhill another couple of kilometers before my feet were back on solid ground.
Down by the main road, I met Simon and we drove across the river and found a decent parking spot. It was the best feeling in the world to get out of my wet shoes and socks. We made food and we ate and talked, read and wrote in good company.
Steps: 29 517
Day 84 - Hiking through a painting
The cold Autumn morning turned into a beautiful, sunny day. Even though there were a lot of marshes here as well, it wasn’t too wet. Again, I was stunned by all the beautiful colors, it was almost surreal.
Simon told me later about his drive from Græsli to Haltdalen, he had driven in some kind of trance, thinking that “it’s like driving through an endless painting of colors”.
While eating yesterday’s leftover lunch, I got accompanied by a group of curious sheep. So there I sat, in the midst of the colorful vegetation, listening to the sheep’s bells ringing in tune and enjoying the fresh, mountain air.
Arriving at Nordpå, the hotel was closed, but with our super-van containing all we need, we just stayed in the parking lot and watched the sun setting before making cake… again.
Steps: 24 692
