Another 2,174 km! - PART TWO

It's shaped like something.... A tennis racket? Eh? That's boring. 

From Førde we were now on our own to hitchhike.  We were a bit hungry and needed to get internet to see where we were headed next and if we had a place there.  We ended up walking around the mall, buying some more yarn for my newest skill, knitting.  The plan was to teach my new buddy how to knit but there was never time.  You'd think there would be, right?

Forde was quite a tough little spot.  Everyone that was driving there lived there, it was raining, cold and we were both feeling a bit off that day. We finally landed a ride out of Forde to a gas station in the right direction.  We spent the rest of the night there and still didn't find a ride.  So, we went inside and enjoyed their heat and internet for a few hours.  It was then that we realized there was a campground right behind where we were.  Otherwise, we were to camp in the tall wet, cold grass in a small tent. After talking to the owner guy on the phone a couple times we found a small cabin with a small discount.  Check it out:

Aint she cute? 

Tra-la! 

 What the clouds kind of looked like. 

Yum "Cowboy Soup" for breakfast! Have it for dinner if you want to heat your sleeping bag! 

From here we hitch hiked:

Through Volda to Ålesund:

Crappy view!

See?

So I just rode the canon instead. 

I think she was looking for me. 

But I had moved... 

We had actually ended up grabbing a quick bus from Volda to Ålesund. We didn't have a place to stay or any real plan.  We just walked a few blocks to find a comfortable place to adjust our packs so we could walk some more blocks and come up with a plan.  It was then that a stranger asked if we had a place to sleep.  It was around 11 pm and there was no chance of leaving Ålesund.  So my travel buddy, Wally and I all looked at each other in disbelief... then we said, "sure".. or something.  It turned out to be a wicked awesome Czech guy who had traveled so much he seemed a tad bored with life.  We crashed there two nights then had to come up with another plan. (See part 3)

It's 5:38 am now and they're starting to put out breakfast where I am... but I'm kind of in the way and I haven't slept yet.  Time to find a sweet park bench or something!  Tootle-loo!  :)

Stay tuned again....  More to come soon!

Swedish Fish

New York was such a great experience! I'm glad I was able to make it there before I left the US.

The plane ride was great! I just wish I was able to sleep a little more.

I guess I shed a few tears before I switched planes in Berlin. It was then that I realized I was about to make my childhood dreams come true.  It was one of the things that I always thought I wanted to do; but I never saw it actually happening.  At the same time I always knew it would happen.  It was a weird feeling.  Knowing that I was making my dream come true. No excuses! Not money, time or how I "couldn't" do it. I was about to meet family I always wanted to know because I bought the plane ticket and at the end of the day I made it happen.

I switched airplanes in Berlin, ran across the airport because the last plane was late. From there it was another short ride to Gothenburg, Sweden.  I felt like such a smelly mess! I still had the same stale clothes on since sweating cats and dogs in New York. I quickly changed my clothes so my cousins could recognize me, grabbed my bags and was headed to customs.

Customs was going to be tricky since I hadn't actually purchased a plane ticket out of the European union. Right? Nope. There was no customs. I guess because I went through it in Germany? I'm not sure but they really didn't look at my passport in Germany either.   ... I guess I was supposed to just walk out.... Right? It seemed too easy but it was real.

There, I met three strangers: Ingrid, Christian and Anna. Well, okay... They're my distant cousins.  I was greeted with three big hugs despite how cruel I smelled.  We jumped into their red Volvo and drove home.  I explained my "day" which was really two days, not sleeping, nor showering and my awesome adventure in New York.  I was relieved by how cool and sweet they all were.

They showed me to my bed.

Oh, wait! I meant: My very own guest house! Saweeeet!!
















I'm so fortunate and grateful for everything!


We had a little "fika" (afternoon swedish style sandwiches, coffee and/or tea and maybe some cookies) and went for an afternoon "bath" in the lake right down the street.  They consider a swimming a "bath".  I think that's quite charming but it makes me feel like I should be bringing my shampoo.

I picked up a GoPro up at the airport in NYC so I could share this and much more with you:

The lake is gorgeous and the water is actually quite warm!

The next morning we packed up our things and headed to their summer house in Kungsbacka, Sweden.  It was a bright, warm, sunny day.  This only leaves one option in the Swede's mind: TIME TO GO BOATING!  Woo hoo!  

We packed up the wheelbarrow with snacks for another "fika", towels, clothes and gas.

 

Anna, Christian with his sprained ankle and our newly named Wilbur the wheelbarrow - Day 1

Off to the granite islands just a short distance from the house!

Their dock - Day 1

Anna and Captian Christian - Day 1

They gave me the honorary Swedish life jacket. How sweet! :) - Day 1

Woohoo! Almost there! - Day 1

 

 Boating and Swimming is a big part of their lifestyle. In school the kids are required to take swimming tests. They basically have to be able to save another's life.

 This would be the first time I've snorkeled in the ocean. They have jellyfish everywhere here.  This particular one stings. They have a blue jellyfish that's friendly. :)

The next day I was feeling a bit under the weather so I slept in a bit then...Boating Day 2!

Christian, his (my) fashionable sunglasses and Swedish coffee around sunset (10:30 pm). - Day 2

It was even more gorgeous in person - Day 2

Peace, quiet and the boat - Day 2

All and all I'm sure you guys know how I felt these few days.  I mean... look at that!! Chapter two of my tales in Sweden coming soon(ish).

A journey to see "The Angels"

Oregon was incredible! I was delighted to leave around 6 pm.  This way, unknowingly I would have the opportunity to pass by the magnificent mass of formed dirt they call Mount Shasta at DAWN! Ugh, the beauty is indescribable!

 

 

 

 This is a 360 view just past the marker for the Oregon trail.

Yes, those are camera straps! Film shots are coming soon.

After being in the sun all day I was completely exhausted.  I felt like sleeping as soon as I got in the car but the views kept me entertained and awake.

I landed in Sacramento around 1:30 am.

When I woke up it was 108 degrees outside! Mr. Pigglesworth was not having it. Piggie pool round two was necessary!  This time Emu-head decided he was going to join in.

After this, we scooped up all the cousins in Sacramento and spent a few hours at the river in Columa. Columa is big for it's GOLD and METEORITE! Yep, meteorite, dust that fell from a meteor when it crashed into the earth many miles away a just few months earlier.  Pretty cool, right?

The last surprise from this trip is that cousin Alisa would be joining my on my travels back to LA.  We packed the car said our goodbyes and left Sacramento around 9 pm.  This would put us back in LA around 3 am, except there was construction the whole way home.  We didn't arrive until 4 am.  I slept about three hours.  I was so happy to be back "home" on the couch at my friends' house. I couldn't wait to say good morning and start getting everything ready for an 11 am departure to begin my cross country/around the world trip the next day!

 My first task of the day would be to repack my three suitcases into one, small, lightweight backpack. (Thanks for your help cousin! You helped me keep my focus and I appreciated it.)  Second errand, to take Alisa and pick my mom up from the mechanic so mom can help me move my cars to her house for semi-permanent storage!

My mom and her second cousin, Alisa hadn't seen each other in almost 20 years! That's nuts!  So, I didn't tell my mom Alisa would be joining me. This way I could see the look on her face!  As my mom was introducing me to her mechanic, I said, "hi George. Nice to meet you.  This is my friend Alisa." I guess my mom didn't even see anyone else in the car.  My mom stooped into the car, her reaction was a little late because she had to realize it wasn't just my friend but her long lost cousin.  As soon as that clicked in her brain her mouth immediately dropped wide open and it was all hugs. Yes!! I did my part!

The three of us spent the rest of the day running my lame errands.  Going to the bank, buying one more ring to fake people into thinking I'm married while I'm on the road, picking my bike up and delivering it to a friend's house so they can use it while i'm gone and junk like that.

All and all a very successful two days!  Awesome times!