We left Alta for the 3rd, and final time, after a bus trasfer brought us back there. But it took a while because we kept seeing it across the fjord. Just out of town we caught and passed two Norwegian college girls, Christine and Sølvi, who were going slow. We also had more rain but then some great weather to complement great scenery. A german couple and a swiss couple gave us some good route pointers as we headed twards Lofoten......
Because of their slowness it's strange to catch up to the Norweigen girls each day. Apparently they are on the road 12 to 16 hours a day compared to our 9. And they're moving faster now that I gave them some tire pressure (I don't know how they didn't flat) so we need to get moving ourselves to get ahead. Which we did except that a ferry to Andenees was delayed by a day so they caught us again. But we found out about the delay from some cool Norwegian dudes in advance and slowed our pace in a great section south of Tromsø on rt 862. Easily the best road for biking I've ever ridden and we had perfict weather for it. Lots of picturesque mountains and cliffs with the road winding along the coastline. Waterfalls, gnarly tunnels, scenic climbs, great stuff. Sometimes the ocean is turquoise. On one very scenic steep 3k climb we were swarmed by some sort of arctic flies but they didn't bite, just very annoying.
Camping has been mostly free out here, we've only used a campground once since the start. They've ranged from a perfict beach along the 862 to near an airport in Tromsø, which was actually okay. My body seems to be just fine sleeping on the ground, something I was a bit concerned about. I'm kinda grubby sometimes but the wool clothing doesn't get gross very easily.
The ferrys have been mostly good to us, catching them at a good time plus good scenery. We even managed a free one in true Nat Faulkner style I told Jen to try to avoid the bossy grumpy fee collecting guy and he missed us. Most people around here aren't social at all but when they are they are very very nice. Like the girl who let us fill water bottles at the school we camped near then came and grabbed our trash from us!!
Food here is definately better than in the states, stuff doesn't seem to have corn syrup or lots of other crap in it, so I've been happy with the grocery stores. I found some really nice butter and seem to keep eating liver pate that is good and sometimes bacon flavored. My Rosie (pemmican) is more than half gone and definately saved me some money. Lots of tallow left, that will last. Jen actually met Rosie a couple years ago when she toured across the states.
Yesterday the weather was gloomy but we stayed dry. Jen bought a new seat and I hit the atm. Not much else but a big tailwind. And we saw Kristina and Solvie again, this time during one of Jen's end of day walks on a random side road. Looks like the clouds are thinner today so maybe we'll see the tops of the mountains anyway.
I can not seem to make this work!!!!
see if it goes this time.
Danny Pate came in third the other day and went from 119 to 89th.
Only comment is that your entries say by Jen or by Kurt, but i figure it out. Keep pedling. mom