This day was our last morning and camp and our last day with our relatives who weren't traveling with us. We said our final good bye's and started our tentative plans for the next reunion.
Top: A few of the cousins posing together for a picture.Bottom: A few of our Canadian/Chicago relative waving goodbye.
Our first stop on the trip was to a small town called Bram. (I believe) I don't really know why we stopped here, but there was a 45 minute story about some guy with a single mom and owing some money to come to the states, maybe the Lutheran church was involved but basically, he was from this town. The monument for this guy was a big rock, but I thought the town was really cute.
Top: The teenagers claiming the back of the bus. Bottom: The adorable town of Bram.So, after we stopped here, I fell asleep. When I awoke we were at a Dale of Norway sweater outlet... however, no deals were anywhere to be found. It was here that I was informed by my aunt that the bus driver was trying to get the bus to do sing-a-longs of Amazing Grace. (Sorry I missed that. haha.) From the outlet store we moved on to the city of Voss. If you have ever seen the glass bottles of water that say VOSS down the side, you "know" this town. We stopped there because of this church. However, it was much cooler to learn later that the church was the only building to survive during WW2 when the rest of the town was destroyed.
Top: Some family posing by a troll in Voss. Bottom: The church and some monuments in Voss.After Voss we went to the Tvindefossen Waterfall. These waterfalls are amazing! In front of the fountain was a camping area. It would have been awesome to camp there. We climbed up them and touched the glacier water. My cousin Greta even loved it so much she fell in! Haha. This picture below doesn't even do it justice.
Our stop for the evening was at the Stalheim Hotel. Other than the fact that this hotel was in a ridiculously scenic area, it was also full of history. The old owner of the hotel was a collector of odd things- so there was also a museum of old Norwegian buildings, farm equipment and clothing, just to name a few things. The hotel had a cool history as well. Aside from the fact that the hotel had burned down twice and is now in it's third incarnation it was also an orphanage during WW2. Apparently it was a place for male Germans to procreate with female Norwegians. When the war was over, there were 63 kids and 2 nurses living there.
Top: Family picture by the scenic overlook at the hotel. Bottom: The Stalheim Hotel.Well, I think this will be it for now!! If any family has been keeping up with this, I am creating a site to upload and order photos. Stay tuned for more updates!
