Low Season

The first time I felt like fall was close, was at Sun Dance Ranch. It was not even the change of colours in the leaves or that it was already getting colder (well, I’ve never hat very summery temperatures up North at no point of time). Maybe it was more the smells while riding through the woods. Like the one of wet wood after a rainy night. Maybe it was also just that you can rather see the change of season in nature than in a city. Well, our travelling roads through the South of Sweden definitely proved that another season was about to start. It was not during the last two days in Stockholm, where summer is still going on and we were walking roofs to have fantastic views over the city. Or taking a steam boat out into the archipelago, having dinner accompanied with wonderful music, sounding through the night. I guess it was more when we started to hit the countryside. First stop out of Stockholm was Gotland. The time there was unfortunately way too short and if ever I get the chance I must go back! A 3 hour ferry ride and you arrive in Visby and with that in a different world. We spent the nights no more in hotel rooms but in cosy wood cabin on Campgrounds (recalling Alaskan Times, just without the cabin). The streets were almost empty. The beaches as well. Stores opened late. Cafes were closed. Low season has started in Sweden. That's what the lady at the first Campground told us (As we should have called before arriving. Well, you should have told us that we should have called, and we surely would have done that :)). That wasn't the first and last time we realized that low season was really here. But hey, see the positive side of it. You don't have too many people standing in the way for great pictures :) After a few days in the country, seeing beautiful nature, fascinating rock formations, no mooses and rare signs of them and cheesy but oh so wonderful sunsets, we hit the city again: Göteborg. Second largest city in Sweden. But as nature was calling us we left after just half a day and drove further South, along the West Coast. Along the Swedish Riviera, as it is called. Good thing we did that, cause those beaches were really lovely (and guess, yes, a "low-season-amount-of-people" there :)). We even managed to see a lighthouse in the end - as you know I l-o-v-e lighthouses - along a rough and very windy coast. What a beautiful end to a great journey.

 

I'm back to where I started. One more day in Bremen, Germany. Tomorrow I'm heading back home after 5 weeks of travelling. I hope you enjoyed travelling up North with me. Until next time. As there surely will be :)

 

Roof Top Walking in Stockholm

 

Raukar in Gotland

 

Along the Coast of Gotland

 

Sunset in Vadstena

 

Lovely Times along the West Coast

 

 

"And just maybe instead of focusing on the destination, we ought to look at the journey."

- Jodi Picoult -

Easy

Easy. That’s the word you use on your horse to make him obvious to certain dangers on the trail. Or to just slow him down on an unsteady path. Easy. It’s also a certain way of living outside the city. Leaving the hectic and the stress behind. Easy. That’s how I would sum up my week at Sun Dance Ranch. And it’s been such a treat after 5 days in a busy city. The first day brought loads of sunshine, a trail ride in the forest and an evening canoe trip. And how lucky we’ve been on that first day. Canoeing on the peaceful river, leaving the sunset behind and spotting two beavers and one mommy moose with her two kids. Just crossing the river before our eyes. No picture taken (it was already too dark), but forever in my head and mind :) What followed after that was less amusing as the Queen would say. Making our way back to the Ranch through muddy waters (up to our knees) surrounded my hundreds of mosquitos. No kidding. But thank you Michelle for the save return back home ;) That first ride out in the Swedish forests was followed by many more. Either with sunshine or some light rain. But sometimes also heavy rain and thunder, spooking not just our horses. Once we even interrupted the ride to swim with the horses in the lake. A first for me. Very special. And I enjoyed loads.

What will remain of that time at Sun Dance Ranch is my a-w-e-s-o-m-e horse Apache. Jun, a  Japanese guest (living in Dubai), mostly seen with his camera on his head, filming while riding. Trail Rides through the enchanting nature. At times I fellt like gnomes were watching us from behind the trees. Wondering what they are thinking. Dutch discussions I could not follow all the way through. Harmonica tunes sounding through the forest. Spectacular sunsets just outside the door. The great food and especially the wonderful hosts. Thank you Anita, Dimitry, Marcia, Manon, Michelle and Sheranie. And mostly I will remember the quiet. It’s amazing what you can hear if you just listen. You can even hear rain drops falling from leaves. I’m serious! :) Close your eyes, trust your horse, let it find the way and listen to the wonderful sounds of nature !

Now back in the hustle and bustle of Stockholm I somehow feel a little overwhelmed by it all. The sudden mass of people. The noise. It’s like you have to get used to it again. But then, I guess I just have to bring back the last week to my mind. Easy.

"Life is good. A horse makes it better."

Entering another world

 

the Sun Dance Ranch Family

 

Peace

 

the Dutch McLeods Daughters

 

Riding through enchanting forests

 

Pearly

 

Nature's Wonders

 

Girl Power

 

 Sunset

 



Venice of the North

I wouldn’t have thought that those 5 days in Stockholm would pass so quickly. But here I am, it’s Friday already. And it seems to me as if the Spanish girls have just left yesterday.

So here’s what I’ll remember of that time in Stockholm :

Yesterday morning I would have said sunny and warm weather all the way through. But some heavy rain keeps coming in the middle of the afternoon (like right now, it’s pouring down.  Thank goodness I’m having a drink in a Cafe). Then disappears again as if nothing has happened and lets the sun in again.  A visit to the royal family on Drottningholm and some very royal meatballs (Kottbullar). If it’s not water from above then it’s surely water all around. The smell of the sea. Walking. Walking. Walking. Be it all around town or for the hundreds time up and down Drottninggatan (the shopping street where I live). An impressive Changing of the Guard that comes with a one hour waiting time if you want to have a good view to what’s happening. No public Laundries (I’ll stick to the Campgrounds). No Nail Studios you can just walk by and get a Pedicure done straight away. Junibacken Pippi Longstocking land. Which I found out is more for kids than adults. Seeing Reindeers, Black Bears and the King of the woods (moose) in Skansen (an open-air museum). Though they not really caring about all those annoying tourists taking constant pictures. Magic moments with Street Artists. Salmon with dill potatoes and a beautiful view in Vaxholm. And last but not least: Schweizer Konditori. A Cafe I have been to every day of this week. So you can say I’m a regular there. I really like the atmosphere, with all it’s writing on the walls. And especially I like their Chai Latte. Still haven’t found out why the name "Schweizer" though. But I have to make sure I do on my last days here.

My time is not over here in Stockholm. I’ll be back for 3 more days (by that time I should really be the "queen-of-what-to-do-and-see" in Stockholm). With more adventures on the list. Just saying, Roof Top Tour. And this time with company from Germany :) But for right now I’m ready to give up the city for the country for a few days: 1 week at Sun Dance Ranch.

The rain has stopped now. Time to move and see some more things until it’s time to head further.

"The things that are close to you, are the things you can photograph the best."

- Sally Mann -

Tales of Cities, Woods & Lakes

Ok, it’s official. There are no Starbucks‘ either in Copenhagen nor in Sweden. How am I everrrrrrr going to survice this????!!!!! I guess being open for other new things is the way to think now. And that it’ll be only 3 more weeks until I hit "Starbucks Land" again :)

Copenhagen was wonderful. The sun was on our side most oft he time. The sights beautiful. The food good. The royals unfortunately not present (everyone must have been at the Olympics in London I’m guessing).  A downside to this city though is, that it is pretty expensive. As is Scandinavia in general. But did you know that Copenhagen is one of the world’s most expensive cities ? Well, we found out about that rather sooner than later. Still, some wonderful days in Demarks’ capital. And on I went to another capital : Stockholm it was. Just a 5 h train ride away. There I was looking forward to spending a few days with Vero and Altea from Spain. As soon as those two hit Swedish ground, it was over with the mostly sunny weather. I can say until now, that I haven‘ experienced one day yet, where it did not either rain or drizzle  But Kudos to the girls for survivng 20 degrees C and below while coming from over 30 degrees C! We spent 2 days in the city. Experiencing  it from the water (Stockholm consists of 14 islands). From above (walking up the tower of City Hall and to other points of view). Inside museums (Vasa), cute Cafes. Or just strolling along and through the streets. After spending almost a week in the city, I for my part was ready to hit some country roads. And with the countryside and the lakes alongside we unfortunately didn’t cross path with the "king of the woods" (moose) as we hoped, but with loads of mosquitos. Darn little buggers. I’m still itchy all over. The rest of the ride along nature‘s path was very peaceful though :) Cute little towns. Red wooden houses. Acres of woods. Uncountable lakes. And as promised, I did go swim in one. Actually not just in any kind of lake. But in Siljan, the "heart of Sweden".  It wasnt even that cold in my op and I might do it again. Though the Spanish girls could not believe their eyes :)

The countryside is past now. I am back in Stockholm. Vero and Altea are on the plane back South where they will probably be expected with much warmer temperatures. But I still have things to see in Stockholm. 5 more days here lie ahead. Then it is time again for some country air. 1 week at Sun Dance Ranch. But first, let’s enjoy some more Stockholm has to offer. I can’t wait.

på återseende (Good Bye)

Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books.

- John Lubbock -

Nyhavn - Copenhagen

enjoying a view over the city of Copenhagen

Girl Power in Stockholm :)

Stortorget - Stockholm

Siljan Lake - the heart of Sweden

Photo Shoot at Siljan Lake

Threesome along the East Coast

Another Journey

My last longer trip is already more than a year in the past. But still I am thinking back, with very good memories. Good thing that I did "Photo 365" last year. That way I can always remember what I did every day of that trip.

Another journey has started today. Right now, while I am writing this Blog, I am sitting in a restaurant in Bremen, Germany. It’s been a sunny and warm afternoon. I can hear church bells. The chit-chat of people, laughing,  enjoying this lovely summer evening. People driving by on their bikes. Carefree summerdays.  It’s as if summer could last forever.  I am enjoying a cool drink, reading a travel guide about my next destination : Copenhagen. Looking forward to spending a few days with a friend there. But let’s start from the beginning.

It was an early start into the day. Getting up at 5 AM. Catching the train in Rheinfelden at 6:30. Arriving in Bremen in the early afternoon. In Switzerland the train was almost empty. Unusual for a work day you might say. But today is August 1st. The Swiss National holiday. Probably right now everybody back home is celebrating. Barbecue-ing and watching the fireworks once it gets dark. Quite the opposite it was in the train on the way to Germany. Fully packed. And this train ride up North kind of reminded me of those many train rides I have done in the US last summer. The train will get me everywhere on this trip as well (as you might remember, I am not too fond of flying). From Germany to Copenhagen, Denmark. Further up to Stockholm, Sweden. And more inland for a week on a Ranch. I am curious to find out if it will be as good as the one on McGinnis in Montana. We will see :) During the next 5 weeks I will also be meeting up with friends I have made in the last few years. Friends from abroad. I can’t wait to be seeing Vero again. It’s been almost 3 years since we’ve met up in Alicante, Spain for the first time. Then there’s also Nina from Frankfurt Germany. We have met last summer on the trip up to Alaska. Now we are going to discover the wilderness of Sweden :) Maybe swim in one of those lakes (I’m doing it, even if it’s cold). And Pippi Longstocking of course :)

So you see, lots to be looking forward to. Hoping that this time you’ll be along fort the ride as well. And don’t forget to check into Flickr. Just for those 5 weeks I will be doing "Photo 365" again :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielle_76/sets/72157630858372430/with/7693214962

Talk to you soon. Be safe on your travels!

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

- Mark Twain -

Country Roads, take me home ...

… to the place, I belong. Or rather, it’s the roads over the Atlantic which are taking me back home. A relaxing 6 days on the Queen Mary 2. Reading. Eating :) Watching movies. Seeing Shows. But also going to the Gym. And of course reflecting on the past 3 months. My summer 2011 …

Seems like a lifetime ago when I took the train from Basel to London on June 1st. And so much has happened since then. What I remember are the two pigeons that joined Queen Mary 2 on it’s Transatlantic Crossing from Southampton to New York (still wondering if they ever made it back home to England). An excellent visit to the Musical "Memphis" in NY. The Professor on the train ride to Chicago and his stories about the romantic history of trains. A way less hectic city (Chicago) welcoming me after that train ride. The floods in North Dakota that caused an 8 h delay for the Empire Builder (train from Chicago to Seattle) while I was making my way to Montana. A perfect week at McGinnis Meadows Ranch (the lovely people, my horse Buttermilk and the cosy Log Cabin I spent my nights in). The drive from Montana to Seattle with Jaclyne and her friend. The human toe Shot in Dawson City, Canada (still, YUK!!). The Grizzly that passed us very closely while we were touring Denali NP in the bus. A flight around Mount Mc Kinley on a perfectly sunny day. All the Glaciers. The primitive Campgrounds. And of course the pit toilets :) A Justin Bieber BDay Party for my favourite 6 year old in Cali. The Southern heat and it’s wonderful music. A storm warning 30 Min before Wilmington, NC (and we were joking about the sounds coming from the radio being Aliens). The impressive and still scary Waterspout at Kure Beach. Visits to the local Film Studio Screen Gems in Wilmington (thank you again Kelly and Ali for taking the time!!). A rainy drive up to NY and a deluxe night at the Best Western there. The news about Hurricane Irene that accompany us now on our crossing back to England (And us being just a little bit relieved that we’re not there anymore!).

What I will also remember are all the people I have met throughout this trip. And some of them I will hopefully see again. The many French Toasts I have eaten on train rides(whether the French really know of them or not). The Caramel Frappuccinos at Starbucks (I’m guessing I haven’t had as many throughout my whole life).

Those are the memories I will keep of my summer 2011. Till it is time for some more "Travelling Roads".

Be safe on yours!!

The Heat Within the Music

From New Orleans to New York. Two so completely different cities. And two cities that built the beginning and the end of my last part of this summer’s trip. And inbetween? Well, inbetween there was a lot more …

What accompanied us from beginning to end was the heat. I can tell you, I barely remember the times when I was freezing in Alaska. Seems like another lifetime ago. So many Miles away. And such another world over here in the Southern East. Once we got to New Orleans, the music was there too. And it stayed with us until we left Nashville. Jazz, Blues and Country was on the agenda of our daily schedule. You could barely escape it if you wanted to. But of course we didn’t. Hey, that’s why we were there for. Among other things. Bourbon Street, some Cajun Food and Jazz tunes escaping from the near by Bar builded the start. Then, a 6 hour drive up North, Elvis was around every corner in Memphis. In any size and every colour. Even the Chinese guy from next door was trying his luck in a contest at the Hard Rock Cafe. Once in Nashville we were two steppin' our way up and down Broadway. Just heaven for myself. I do love some good Country. And finally I could wear my Cowboy Boots :) Must really look into a Line Dance Class once I get back home.

Then we left the music behind (of course there was still some Country playing in our car, which, btw, we named, Cori. It’s a Toyota Corolla), made our way tot he Coast and stepped into Plantation and Garden Land. You can’t imagine how many Plantations there are in the Carolinas. Luckily we’ve had some recommendation, or else I really would not have known which to choose. So, on the drive along the Coast up to North Carolina we jumped out at Drayton Hall and Brookgreen Gardens. Very good choices! Thank you Ali and Becca :) Oh, and before I forget, and how could I forget those delicious Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe in Juliette, Georgia. Hmmmmm. Don’t miss those when you’re in the area. Or like us, are driving by there. It’s always nice to make a stop there, meet up with friends.

Like coming home, that’s what it felt like in Wilmington, North Carolina. I’ve really been looking forward to going back there all along the way. Just a place you feel home at. 5 days of (mostly, yeah, Barbara, I can’t help but being the organizer ;)) not so much scheduled and relaxing things to do. More Gardens, beaches plain, beaches at 6 AM to watch the sunrise (def worth it!!). Tours at the local Film Studio Screen Gems. Watching filming of One Tree Hill in Downtown Wilmington and netting Paul Johansson :) Strolling along the Riverwalk. Trying to basket ball at the Rivercourt. Delicious Tiramisu at Caffe Phoenix (I can still taste it). And now we even know what a "waterspout" is. That was very impressive and scary at the same time!

We’re back in the "Crazy Apple" now. Back to where I’ve arrived 2.5 months ago (gee, has it only been that long?! Seems like forever). The last 2 weeks have been hot, humid, sticky, friendly (with all those honeys, sweeties and sugars *LOL*), flowery, musical, delicious. Barbara has still some reminders of all those mosquito bites she got. Luckily they preferred her over me (which is kinda unusual, normally I’m the sweet one in the crowd). I still haven’t managed to answer more than like 10 % of Barbaras questions (as like, how do I know why Piers were built, or how much electricity is used on Times Square. Just to name a few) Our tacho showed a good 2‘400 Miles. And now we are ready for 6 days on QM 2. Slowly coming back home. Maybe loose some pounds on the way :) You’ll hear about our crossing soon.

Till then. Stay on the safe tracks!!

@ New Orleans


@ the Mississippi in Memphis

@ Brookgreen Gardens - North Carolina

@ Wrightsville Beach, NC

When you lose yourself you find the key to paradise.

- Zac Brown Band -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9n5G0qFBsHM