Last Thursday and Friday one of my classes went on an overnight trip to Rauland, about two hours drive further into the mountains north of Bø. Rauland is kind of a ski resort town, but that is a fact the people who own cabins there don't want to face. The idea of a Norwegian cabin is to have some peace, privacy and nature away from their normal life, but more cabins keep getting built in the same area. Discussing this topic was our excuse reason for the field trip.
Many Norwegians own cabins (in the mountains or along the coast; with or without running water and electricity) where they spend 4 weeks a year at on average. I feel no pity for the owners of expensive private cabins with running water, electricity, TVs, internet and remote-controlled heating who complain of too much development. These types of cabins might as well be concentrated in resort areas. Leave what 'wilderness' there is to existing and public cabins and camping. I understand the point of view of wanting your own land for a remote private cabin, but sometimes you need to compromise a bit. They shouldn't have to change this cabin-going culture drastically, but maybe they could move towards having public cabins instead, so that these buildings aren't sitting unused (but still heated in many cases) for 11 months of the year. Too bad everyone has holidays at the same time.... What do you think?
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last time I was in Rauland, I was a little unlucky with timing. Even though Rauland is known for many kilometers of great, perfectly groomed cross country trails, the ski trails actually weren't groomed on the day we went for a long ski. Most Norwegians only go there during Easter holidays, or around Christmas/winter breaks, and we shouldn't expect perfect skiing in the "off season".
But there was crust skiing!! (More or less.) It was fun to zoom off and check out whatever I felt like! As you can see from the pictures there was almost 10cm of fresh snow on top of icy melted snow and it was snowing and/or overcast the whole time. It's too bad a pretty spectacular view of the mountains was obscured.
Some ski trails on the map
ski park
my class skiing and some cabins in the background
crust skiing with a nice soft layer of snow on top (just don't use poles)
my crappy self-portrait skills
We stayed at the Telemark University College campus for folk art and music. It was a neat place.
Wowww, our room is so new and clean and white...
A room full of looms
Shop
Traditional project?
Auditorium
Typical breakfast and lunch
With some skiing, playing in the snow, music, games, lectures, fooling around and good food, everyone had a nice time.
Hotdogs over the fire (typical again)
There were really icy road conditions and we had to drive around very slowly each day. On the way there, I was driving a full car of excited people in Veronika's old Skoda. I was doing ok...until one corner where I felt that the road had now become more icy. On the next corner, I slid on the ice, swerved left and right a few times, before ending up in the ditch!!
Fortunately, no one was injured (including the car, though that is getting checked). I feel TERRIBLE for putting us in danger and worry. Because we were driving in a convoy with teachers' cars, there were many people to help us out of the ditch (and conveniently it was right by a driveway/pullout). I have never been in any type of car accident before, as a driver, passenger, or onlooker. This experience taught me to be more cautious and always, always, always follow my own judgement of safety no matter what other pressures I feel while driving.
