NORWAY

Jucking It Up in Jotunheimen

It was a heat wave in the summer of 2019 when Marlene Friis and Danelle Manthey set off to conquer the largest national park in Norway. Jotunheimen is known to be quite popular with local Norwegian’s but is still a bit off the beaten path for most visitors who would be attracted to the country’s lush Fjords instead of the barren moon-like interior of the country. BUT leave it to Ms. Friis and Ms. Manthey to pick a more obscure vacation for themselves. As they’re always up to the challenge to try something most people might overlook.

They were armed not only with their intense thirst for adventure that lay ahead in a new local but also, and equally as important, a thirst for the local beer. They met up in Oslo and Ms. Friis was the tour

guide of the city. They immediately headed for the local park, with the local beer, and got busted by the polite but firm parks police. Not to be thwarted they continued on their way to a riotous outdoor market where they mixed with ease with the locals. The next morning they boarded the early bus that took them through the countryside and an awaiting ferry. This is where the adventure began. For the next few days it would be them against the elements. Fortunately they had good weather on their side; for trekking hour upon hour through barren valleys with no clear path could have been treacherous. BUT our intrepid trekkers prevailed and crossed valley after valley with nothing but glaciers, boulders and streams in their view. And what boulders they did cross! There were large boulders and small boulders and boulders on boulders that they thought would never end. Hour upon hour of no other people in site, until they arrived at a new cabin each night that was plucked down in the middle of what seemed like nowhere but still teaming with life. Then there were cards to play and new friends to make and a warm dinner made for their weary souls. They laughed and raised glasses while telling stories of the day and slid into sleep before the sun set.

And finally, on the last day, emerging from the alien landscape,

the fairytale Reindeer showed himself. What a delight from the pattern greys and browns their eyes had grown accustomed to. Ms. Friis and Ms. Manthey conquered this new land and felt strong and elated to know that they could test themselves in this way. Did they run down a mountain with a dog on their shoulders as the Norweign men seemed keen on doing? NO! But they did get to witness it and that, in their minds, was just as good. – DANELLE MANTHEY, NEW YORK