August 26

Here I am, 3700 miles from Alma, hiking near Flam, a small village in southwestern Norway, surrounded by steep mountains, waterfalls and narrow valleys. The weather is foggy and misty with a temperature of 48 degrees. My goal is to walk about 1½ miles to the edge of Brekkefossen Falls, one of the larger falls in the area. From the hotel, I start out hiking north on a paved road along the fast flowing Flamselvi River as it empties into the nearby Aurlands Fjord, a steep, water-filled canyon carved out by glaciers. Along the riverbank, I spot a patch of Yellow Hawkweed as well as clusters of bright red berries from a Mountain Ash tree. Continuing down the road, I notice the familiar blossoms of Moth Mullein in addition to the unfamiliar blossoms of Melancholy Thistle. Blossoms of Bellflower and Buttercup also catch my eye. Up ahead on the road, I see a Robin-size, bird called a White Wagtail while nearby I notice some colorful Fireweed blossoms. Turning east onto a narrow earthen trail, I begin my climb up the mountain toward Brekkefossen Falls. These falls drop about 1,790 feet, but because of the narrow, twisting shape of the gully it descends, only a very small veiling plunge of 377 feet can be seen near the bottom of the rock formation. Continuing my ascent, the trail takes me along a fast moving stream where I notice some Wavy Cap Mushrooms as well as the mottled tree trunks of Downy Birch. As the path becomes too steep and slippery for me, I pause, take one last look at the falls before turning around. Back on the paved road, I begin retracing my steps where I spot a gathering of Hooded Crows. Beside the road, I spot blossoms of Alfalfa and Aster. On a fence post ahead, I catch a glimpse of a perching Willow Warbler. As I return to the riverbank and make my way back to the hotel, I’m amazed once again by what nature has to offer here in Scandinavia.

Why do I walk distant lands

Doing hikes in rain or shine

Why do I get up early and go

Start before the stroke of nine

What brings me to these places

With meadow, river and hill

What draws me to the wild

There’re needs I must fulfill

My spirit connects to nature

Feelings for her are strong

Another place on earth

A place I truly belong

D. DeGraaf