Lillehammer

From Oslo we had a long drive to make it to the west coast of Norway (it was a 5 hour drive).  In order to break the drive up, we stopped in Lillehammer to have lunch and to wander around for a bit.  We enjoyed a lunch where we got to watch motorcyclists from different countries be announced for the rally they were attending.  After lunch, we got a bun from a bakery where I delightedly discovered that they often use flowers for garnish.

Lillehammer was home to the 1984 Winter Olympics and while we do love the Olympics no one was super interested in touring around those facilities.  Instead, we went to an outdoor museum which turned out to be spectacular.  Maihaugen, Norway's largest open air museum, houses more than 200 historic buildings, including a Stave Church.

This wooden church was built in 1140!  It's completely mind-blowing to me to think of a wood structure lasting that long!  The detail and attention to every last thing is pretty special.

We are completely entranced by the green roofs.  Goats were often used to mow the roofs!

I love all of the details.  One of the docents explained that at the end of the year if there was any money left over, they spent it on items that would make their life more beautiful.  How wonderful is that?  Look at the scallops on the mantle!

After leaving Lillehammer we finished the drive through spectacular mountains, even stopping for a little hike!

Up next... one of the most perfect vacation days ever!