Norway Part 1 - Risvika

After a day of rest when we arrived in Norway, we headed 6 hours north to the middle part of the country to Leif’s mom’s family cabin.  It’s called Risvika, and has been in Liv’s family for many generations.  Many on that side of the family have memories of spending summers and Easter holidays there and it is cherished by all who visit. 

There are no tv’s or computers there…. no running bathrooms (but probably the nicest outhouse you’ll ever see).   When you are there you seem far away from everything – noise, neighbors, traffic.  It’s so peaceful and pure.  A place where you are forced to slow down.  Soak in nature.  Create.  Be free. And live deep.

This was only my third time to Risvika and the kids had been once before (Campbelle was 2 and Christian 6 months)…and after each visit – no matter what the weather or how long we stay – I’m always so thankful for having experienced it.  Campbelle and Christian are old enough this time to really appreciate it too… and they’ve fallen wildly in love with the place as well.  And although we don’t get there near as much, it makes me feel good that the same place so near and dear to their dad’s heart, is in their heart as well.

Our week there was full of the most splendid experiences.  First off, you have to hike about 15 minutes in – which creates part of the solitude and peacefulness there.  Seem to leave the other world at the car.

(Two houses.  White one belongs to Leif’s uncle and his fantastic family and the red one is Liv’s.  Two other red buildings are a boat house and a garage – with a new loft – where Leif and I slept – our own private suite!)

We fished:

We swung:

We swam:

(Leif and I racing… I of course won.  But words can not describe how COLD that water was!! Yikes)

We forgot Campbelle’s swim suit top – oh well, she looked very European! ha

We grilled hotdogs on the beach:

We learned to start a fire and manage it safely:

We got all sorts of rides from Uncle Bjorn:

We hiked Eagle Mountain:

The winds are a bit strong up there – and the views are unmatched! 

If I were really good at photoshop – I’d put a little arrow pointing to where Risvika is down below – but I’m not, so you’ll just have to trust me that it is down below.  Here’s what it looks like:

 

We crabbed:

(See more on next season’s ‘The Deadliest Catch’ on Discovery channel)

We played with rocks:

 

(Christian would have taken 20lbs of rocks back with us if he could have.  You wouldn’t believe how many ‘very special' rocks he discovered! ;-)

 

And when it rained, we moved our fun inside:

Our week came to an end too quickly – hopefully our return will seem nearly as quick as well.

 

(sorry for the extremely long post… but you see why I have to break our vacation down into little vignettes. )