When you think of visiting a few outdoor museums and markets, and it’s pouring outside, you quickly change your mind and drive all day. That’s what we did today.  

The skies were dark, and there was little hope of sunshine, so we decided to make the long trip through Sweden and back to Oslo in one day and stay there for our final three nights. We barely stopped along the way except for the mandatory breaks, like food and stretching, and with not much to see, it was an uneventful drive.  

As we crossed the border back into Norway, Jason couldn’t help but exclaim, “It feels like we’ve come home.” I couldn’t agree more. The sight of well-maintained roads, the crispness of the air, the courteous drivers, the ubiquitous red-roofed houses, and the familiar tunnels we hadn’t seen since our departure all welcomed us back. Even the rain seemed to pause in its downpour. The feeling of being back was a comforting one, shared by both of us.

Our home for the next three nights was the Klækken Hotel, nestled a bit northwest of Oslo, near Hønefoss. This charming old hotel, set back from the highway in the midst of the countryside, was a sight to behold. Its surroundings boasted well-groomed lawns and serene, tranquil spaces. But the real gem was its indoor pool. The mere thought of having a pool to relax in for a couple of days before our Iceland adventure was exhilarating.  Could it be the power of positive thinking at play?

We were up bright and early the next morning, so we got a good head start on the day. Driving the winding roads was a thrill again, with sheep wandering aimlessly along the route. The little lambs that were so tiny when we first came to Norway in mid-May were now over three weeks older, and how they had grown!

The Hadeland Glassverk was the next stop—a lovely place to spend some time. About ten glassblowers displayed their craft, making vases and wine glasses, and it was pretty intriguing. A shop next door displayed the finished products, from small glasses to huge bowls and vases. A candle shop allowed us to dip candles, so we did that, and they even had a large LEGO area for the kids to play in.

We drove into Hønefoss and across a bridge in the town centre, where yet another beautiful waterfall greeted us. We headed to the park beside it and watched it cascade full force under the bridge, ending in a quiet pool further down. We stopped at a pizza place across the street, and after a pleasant supper, we headed home, where Jason enjoyed some downtime, and I headed to the pool for a swim.

The last day in Norway started with another morning at the pool while Jason worked in the room, and then we headed back to the sculpture park and museum. We knew we would have a lovely day here as soon as we got through the gates and walked a bit. A huge round “lifesaver’ shaped sculpture sat in the middle of a water feature on one side of a bridge, and the other side was tranquil, clean, clear water. Many giant sculptures dotted the well-cared-for areas around the park, from bears and octopuses to modern art pieces sitting higher up in the hills. A beautiful mirrored piece with a fountain in the middle attracted a group of school kids who ran amongst the mirrored oblong pieces and got soaked, trying to run between the shooting water spouts in the centre.

An old paper mill was next door, so we checked it out. It was interesting reading about how they made paper 100 years ago. We enjoyed lunch at the outdoor cafe before heading to the park’s last area, The Twist. The Twist is truly unique—part awe-inspiring building, part art gallery, and part bridge connecting the two sides of the river.

Upon leaving the park, we saw some paragliders and looked up the mountain ahead to watch them. We decided to drive up there to get a better view. It was a fantastic hour of watching them lay out their huge sails, get strapped in and stand on the edge of the hill, waiting for the right wind to get them aloft. The sail would start to rise, and the person would run full speed down the slope before being swept upward and forward, then silently drift back and forth in front of us. We got the twins online to watch, and they were enthralled. The scenery far below us was breathtakingly beautiful, and it was fun to be a part of this exciting day on the mountain.