Miles and Miles of Rural Sweden

Often it seemed like we were back home in Minnesota, driving in Sweden.
Landscape, architecture and friendly, helpful people
willing to point one in the right direction.
If you needed help pumping gas or
getting the pay machine at the parking lot to work,
they were there for you!
One motherly innkeeper greeted guests with a cupcake and tea, coffee or milk
upon afternoon arrival.

Barn red, as we call it in the U.S, is everywhere on buildings,
accented usually with white or black trim.
Yellow and blue (Swedish flag colors) dominate the look of village homes.

Coastal and lakeside properties reminded us of childhood in the 1960's.
Pristine settings still are abundant, the concept of "enough" is understood and respected.
Cabins have remained simple, without additions.
Highways (two lane) connect major cities such as Oslo and Stockholm. (a six hour drive)
Rock formations, wild flowers, forests and moose crossing signs dominate scenery.

Now to the American influence in Sweden. Lots of road signs point to "the Arches", I started drooling! Right near nature's best show was a "Big Mac"! Why you ask? Well, I think because food is expensive and we couldn't track any Swedish fast food chains. Please remember ambiance is better at European McDonald's and kids better behaved. (still no free refills on soda, but ice!) Sweden, Denmark and Norway did not have a special sandwich(es) developed for them like France, Holland, Austria, Germany, England, Spain and Italy did.

Copenhagen Denmark

A port and canal city of one million residents,
Copenhagen is festive and full of free spirits.

Recognized landmarks like the Little Mermaid (a small harbor statue) and
Tivoli Gardens (Europe's oldest amusement park built in 1843) greet visitors.


Eco-sustainability, along with creative design, both traditional and trendy, are Danish priorities. For about ten minutes I pondered purchasing a piece of the world famous Royal Copenhagen porcelain, but the frugal (practical) side of me could not do it! At the flagship store in city center, a hand-painted quiche pan/tart pan priced out at about $155. After that shock, I wasn't up to sipping a cup of coffee at Michelin recommended Royal Cafe in the charming old courtyard outside.

Saturday we stayed at Hotel Twentyseven, it featured a gourmet brunch and evening "teaser" sampler. (all included in your room rate) Their LIVE LIFE tagline is inspiring!

Signs of Humor

Ok.
Here's the scene.
We're staying at a Bible camp in Sweden
just out of Stockholm.
No Children!

Katie ( our editor) is sleeping.
And Tom (me) is appreciating photos taken the last few days.
While in Copenhagen we enjoyed the following sign exhibit.
Click on each to enlarge and enjoy!

Ω

Do You Think We Would Fit In Here?

Denmark sort of has a reputation for being tolerant, liberal, you know the type, "Be Happy, Don't Worry" tee shirt wearing folk. (who eat granola, like sunshine and always smiling) The first major stop on our 10 day Scandinavian tour was in Copenhagen.






Christiania began as a social experiment in 1971 when youth rebels (hippies)
occupied a deserted barracks.
Since that time about 1,ooo others have joined them,
forming a commune or free town you might call it.

Shacks, colorful cabins, hobbit-like structures,
and tree houses have been built in unique
and inspirational ways for additional homes.
This Copenhagen neighborhood is so to speak,
an alternative society that is self-governing.

They welcome visitors with just one request, no photos please!
Tom, while no one was looking, snapped a quick few.
(most were still slumbering,
we walked around about 8:00 a.m. Sunday morning)
It was obvious creative minds were at work.
Communial living ideals are cultivated through
common kitchens, workshops, children's house etc.
Several times members of the Danish government
have tried to shut the place down with no luck. Interesting, interesting and interesting are my comments. For some reason we decided not to stop for breakfast at their cafe.
We could have and it was open.
I don't know if they had an espressso machine or not!

And That's What Friends Are For!

It was a beautiful late May weekend.
We stayed close to Bamberg, sharing outings with friends.








Mary and David Westerman are from the sunshine state of Florida. David and Tom are clinic pals, they humor each other and sneak out to practice golf swings with brooms in back of the building. My best friend Mary is fun, a compassionate listener, also believes walking is aerobic enough, a good cook and thinks it is always necessary to stop for coffee or lunch (me too!) After a gourmet Sunday dinner at a gasthaus (Hartmans's) we hiked in the hills to a castle.

David Vogelsang (and his wife Judy, her eyes were closed in pictures) are from North Dakota. David shares an office with Tom. Saturday evening we found a village music and beer celebration to have fun at. Lively tunes add so much to a party atmosphere.

Bikes, Dikes and Canals

People of all ages, dressed in sport gear ( some matching, tight fitting stuff that they shouldn't) or their Sunday best; biking for leisure, the market, church, or possibly on their way to work are everywhere in Holland. Bikes are kings/queens of the road!

Auto driving in rural areas can be tricky. Besides dodging tractors and wagons, roadways are marked in unique ways. A car lane is centered in the middle, when oncoming traffic meets, someone must yield to the other. Bike lanes are clearly marked for use on both sides of roads.

The North Sea meets Holland on its west and north shores. Seagulls and a strong breeze welcome one walking on top of dikes. Because of land flatness, a feeling of being free is experienced as you move along.

We hadn't realized how much boating and fishing is done on canals. Charming housing is situated by waterways; so perfect and well groomed it doesn't seem possible it could be real.

The art of leisurely sitting at a cafe, sipping a beverage and soaking up sunshine, was said to be hatched in this country. No worries, no hurry are the motto.

Continued Monitoring of the Arches

When menu checking in the Netherlands, for what gourmet idea a McDonald's chef created this time, I was delightfully satisfied after test tasting a "McCrocket". The seafood cake sandwich was a winning combination of fish, cheese, seasoning, breading and a special sauce. I wanted to award a 10, but didn't because of curb appeal, no healthy, green lettuce garnished the food. (9.5)

Believe me readers, McDonald's are designed with love and cultural likes in Europe. They are not stamped out like most in the States. Dutch yellow and blue coloring complimented a smiling Ronald. Children are rarely seen at restaurants except here. We have yet to stop at a McDonald's that is not really busy. Happy kids and parents behave well, don't scream much, put their trash in the can, like generous portions and the 1 euro menu! An American success story! (whose secret weapon is the "special sauce")