Six hours down the line from Mosjøen is Trondheim, the end of the line. The train set which continues on to Oslo ...
...is pretty swish.
And some of the passengers are pretty cute!
A pretty steady climb from Trondheim for three hours goes from sea level to 1000 meters (3300') at the Hjerkinn Station.
A note about the pennant shaped flags. They are flown every where, but the national flag not as much. Why? The national one must be taken down a night, but the pennants may fly 24/7! The sign to Hjerkinn Fjellstue ("Lodging for Travelers for 1200 Years") alludes to ...
......the Oslo to Trondheim Pilgrimage, although it is dedicated to St Olav, who was buried in Trondheim in 1030. So, give or take a couple hundred years.
Efforts have been made to revive the route, and accommodations along it, for the past 20 years. The Fjellstue recently built this pilgrim's cabin on the path which bisects their property.
And not far along it is the church, Eysteinkyrkja, (1969, Magnus Paulsson, Architect) at the highest point on the Pilgrimage.
Often portrayed with long hair, long robe, long sword, possibly this is a modern take on St. Olav image.
However much more popular than the pilgrimage is horse back riding in the environs of Dovrefjell National Park .
For those not out riding, the comfy common area has books to read, windows to look out, and sometime a dog or two to pet.
The lodge's rooms are basic, neat and clean. Musk Ox re common animals outside, and photo subjects inside. A simple shower curtain contains the spray when in use.
Sunrise from the room...
...and reflected in the room's windows.
Besides horse riding in the park, many visitors come to hike up to the Wild Reindeer Visitor Center (2011, Snøhetta). A set of panels provide information about the area, its geology, plants and animals, and....
...a Musk Ox cutout, in case your're not sure what one looks like.
Set in the wide expanse of the "Roof of Norway", the Center, and its outhouse appear to be unusual rocks on an out-cropping.
The Center is for sure unusual.
The ridged steel box contrasts with the undulating milled pine beams, which...
form the wall, with benches outside, as well as, ...
...after entering...
...inside.
In contrast to the opaque wood wall, the full width glass wall provides a sweeping view of the Park. Hidden in the clouds off to the right is Mt. Snøhetta, (the architectural firm's namesake) which is as elusive to view as are the wild reindeer.
Examples of the fauna (deer horns, musk ox skulls, furry creatures) are on display.
IF those wild animals got close enough this is what they would see, people inside looking out at them.
I don't know, don't ask me, YouTube? Whatever, its everywhere now..........
