Balestrand

I must have fallen off of that rock at Kjerag because I am in heaven. Peaceful. Chirping birds, lapping waves, and swimming dolphins. In the distance, an eagle cries while banking toward the snow capped and glaciated mountains. I sip on my custom cappuccino and look over the white picketed veranda at the fjord reflecting light as though painted by Monet. Colorful wildflowers line the shore and a dozen different types of trees blanket the hillside. It is hard to fathom that a place this beautiful exists. Painters and photographers have attempted to capture it, but it is wild and untameable. It must be experienced to be appreciated.

Kjeragbolten Hike, Stavanger

Brendon, Ashley, Stephen, Vic, Max (Stephen's friend from NY), and I took the bus in the pouring rain from Stavanger to the "Eagle's Nest" in Kjerag today in order to hike to a boulder that is balancing 3000 feet above the fjord. Along the way, we enjoyed the company of sheep and spectacular views of glaciers above us and fjords below us. Although the day started out drizzling, it cleared as we began our hike -- the dragon's breath emanating from the valley floor -- and, by the time we reached our destination,  blue skies splattered the horizon. We enjoyed a tapas style lunch with ham, cheese, fresh bread, cherries, plums, chocolates, nuts, and various spreads. Afterwards, Each of us took turns standing on the rock -- a very dangerous endeavour considering each of us had to cross a narrow (1 foot wide) escarpment with a 3300 foot drop. It was hair raising to say the least!