Side Trips-Last Post of Norway Road Trip #1

We've spent some time catching up with blog posts about our first road trip here in Norway.  It was difficult partially because we took 1100 pictures over 6 days, but also because we have Elizabeth's work computer here and she went to work for the start of the semester the day we returned and has been trying to make a good impression/doing her job.  Pesky work getting in the way of sharing travel adventures.

Here are some side trips that didn't make it into one of the other posted categories.  It seemed like every time you turned the corner there was some magnificent waterfall staring at you.

 This is the waterfall running straight through Hellesylt, we walked past it to get to our hostel

 Joshua caught a glimpse of a waterfall on the way into Geiranger, so on the way out we decided to stop and check it out. We thought it might be nice to take a peek, and found out there was a staircase leading all along it from top to bottom. 

 Pre-waterfall, it was raining out so we were already wet. 

 The path starting down from the top, Elizabeth and Juliet on the right

 View mid path with Geiranger, and Geiranger fjord plus Cruise ship

 This waterfall turned out to be Niagara Falls loud

 We would have needed the raincoats even if it wasn't raining

 Heading back up

 There was a see-through platform over one part built out over the falls

 Enjoying the view

 Geiranger apparently hosts 60,000 visitors a year, mostly on cruise ships.  This is the view for the locals, at least while it's raining and summer.

On our way out of Leirvassbu there were also a bunch of cool waterfalls

 And blueish/grayish snow melt from the peaks

 These cows even posed for a picture with this waterfall

Headed out from Nigards glacier there were some waterfalls coming down the mountains, here are a couple of the best we captured.

 Joshua wanted to go across when he saw this bridge from a distance, but it was blocked off and closer up he could see why.  Not sure who uses this and when but there were a few bridges like this crossing rivers in this area.

When we stayed in Solvorn we spent the afternoon at the local fjord beach (after hiking to the glacier in the morning).  Everyone went in, and yes it was cold - not 'you get used to it' temperature, more like 'you go numb' temperature. Definitely refreshing!

 Drying off in the sun, this fjord-side town was really quiet and peaceful

 Sun bathing in the last bits of sun on the deck at the beach

 The walk back through town

 Norwegian Troll in the box, Juliet said to Elizabeth while walking by, "Mommy, there's a person in that box"

 Acting like we own the place

This waterfall was the biggest turn the corner and "wow" while driving, we were coming down a switchback and did a 180 degree turn into this view.  We had no idea it was there.