We’ve been in Sweden for almost two weeks now, and I like it better every day. Dad told you about our mountain biking adventures, but the next day we all piled into the rental car and went out to explore Sweden.
Sheds on stilts! They were everywhere.
True to form, mom pointed out a gravel road not half an hour into our trip and off the freeway we went. It was an old logging road that ended in a round about that was suprisingly clean. An area like this at home would be full of beer cans.
The Swedish forest is really cool. All the trees are very young and thinned out because of all the logging. They also are stripped of their bark halfway up!
We were also surprised to see that the ground cover reminded us of Scotland, even though we’re farther north.
A lot of the roads are reddish, but we couldn’t figure out why until we saw the rocks out in the ‘wilderness’- they all have some mineral in them that makes them red!
Combined with the lichen, it makes for very pretty rocks.
But despite looking our hardest and even honking our horn to try and startle them, we didn’t see any moose. A fox ran across the road at one point, but the only wildlife we got close to were the bugs (Sweden has horseflies too, it turns out. Ouch).
A couple hours drive brought us to the tiny town of Nusnäs (population 729) where they make those colorful wooden horses.
We spent a couple hours there watching the carving and painting process before raiding the souvenir shops. I stupidly bought a blanket that I’ll probably regret buying until the second we get home. Speaking of souvenirs, we’re at the point where we’ll probably have to get a little suitcase just to get them home. Our carry-ons are too small. Whoops.
On our way home, we stopped beside a gorgeous lake to stretch our legs. Mom and I waded a little bit. It was suprisingly warm!
Skipping rocks
Outhouse!
Tomorrow we’re leisurely driving back to Stockholm before catching our plane to London the next day. It’s been a beautiful and relaxing week up here in the mountains. Time to plunge back into a massive city and start touring again!
I don’t know why but exploring an unmarked gravel road makes me really really happy 🙂 The half hour of quiet Swedish wilderness and lake side wading was rejuvenating for my soul.
These are georgous pictures of the mountains, lakes, rocks and Swedish scenery in general. That lake is just beautiful. Thanks for letting me tour Sweden with your family! I wouldn’t ever think Sweden would look like this, especially with all these trees that kind of look like Oregon! The blanket Maggie bought sounds cool! Glad you got some rejuvenation from your “off road adventure”!
P.S. I would have to buy more than a couple of suitcases to get all the souvenirs home that I would buy! 🙂 Good luck with that process!
I am enjoying you adventures although it took awhile to see the connections to the other posts! I think I have finally seen them all.
Oh boy London here we come (or there you go)! Sweden has been charming, thanks!