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A little over a week ago we went on a hike at Lacamas Park. It had been a couple of years since we were last there.

This time we parked in a different spot and took a different route through the various trails. Once again it was a pleasant hike of just under five miles.

A serene forest scene with a calm river reflecting the surrounding lush greenery and trees.

A lush, green forest with dense trees covered in moss. A person with a backpack walks on a gravel path through the forest.

A weathered tree stump on a dirt shore with a calm lake in the background.

Forest scene with tall trees covered in moss, a dirt path, and ferns on the forest floor, alongside a small rocky stream.

A person paddleboarding on a calm green lake, surrounded by leafy trees.

Dense forest scene with tall trees covered in moss and vines, surrounded by lush green foliage.

Forest scene with autumn foliage; vibrant red and yellow leaves, green pine branches, and lichen-covered twigs in a wooded area.

A forest scene with two leaning trees, surrounded by dense greenery and lush foliage. A dirt path runs along the bottom edge.

Modern waterfront building with a glass and metal facade, surrounded by people relaxing on the grassy area nearby, with city buildings in the background and partly cloudy sky above.

Astrup Fearnley Museum. Oslo, Norway. 29th June, 2025.

People walking on a plaza in front of a large, neoclassical building with a central statue. The area is surrounded by trees and open sky.

The Royal Palace. Oslo, Norway. 29th June, 2025.

A lift bridge with an American flag on top spans across a river. Below, people are engaging in water activities like swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding. The city skyline is visible in the background.

A group of swimmers with orange flotation devices in open water, accompanied by a kayak and a person on a paddleboard.

View of the sky with a small airplane in the distance, framed by several parallel cables or wires.

A view of modern buildings with glass facades situated against a backdrop of a forested hillside. The foreground features a dry grassy area with scattered bushes. A communication tower is visible in the distance.

Some photos from a walk by the river this morning.

Waterfront scene featuring several boats docked at a marina, with a large building in the background displaying black and white murals of people and animals.

Oslo, Norway. 27th June, 2025.

Kaupanger Stave Church

Kaupanger Stave Church

A historic wooden church with a tall spire surrounded by a cemetery, set against a backdrop of green trees and mountains under a blue sky.

Kaupanger Stave Church is one of the 28 stave churches (out of an estimated nearly 2000 that existed in the past) preserved in Norway. You can read more about those here.

Wooden building exterior with horizontal siding, a rustic door, and a vintage wall-mounted lantern.

Wooden church tower with a pointed roof and weather vanes, set against a blue sky.

Most of the graves were newer but there were a few that were pretty old, including one of a person born in the 1600’s.

A peaceful cemetery with rows of gravestones on a grassy hillside, surrounded by trees. A few people are standing near the gravestones. Red buildings and a forested hill are visible in the background.

As we were driving away I got this quick snapshot from a higher vantage point on the road that shows the church in the context of the village around it.

A wooden church surrounded by trees and a graveyard is situated near a calm body of water. In the background, a village with colorful houses is visible along the shoreline, with green hills and a distant ferry.

We were there for about an hour during our brief time in the Sogndal area. Even though we couldn’t go inside, it was nice to see a place like this up close.

A tall column with sculptures of two figures on top, located in a city square. A seagull sits atop the sculpture. Surrounding buildings and trees are visible, along with people sitting and walking nearby.

I saw a bird on nearly every statue taller than 12 feet or so in Oslo.

Vigeland Sculptures

Vigeland Sculptures

On our first day in Norway, I was guided by our group to Frogner Park where I was enamoured by sculptures made by Gustav Vigeland in bronze and stone.

They depict human forms, human relationships, and the eternal human condition.

Sculptures of human figures in a park, featuring a prominent statue of a couple embracing. Other statues depict various poses, set on stone pedestals, surrounded by greenery and a pathway.

Bronze statue of a dancing woman on a stone railing overlooking a sunny park lawn with scattered people sunbathing

A bronze sculpture of a person sitting under a stylized tree is set against a backdrop of a large fountain with water cascading over its edge. A bird is flying in the sky above, with trees and a clear blue sky in the background.

Stone sculptures of human figures sit closely together in a park setting, with trees and a circular plaza in the background. The scene is captured in black and white.

The most prominent feature is the massive Monolith.

Black and white photo of the Monolith sculpture composed of intertwined human figures at the top of a grand stairway in Vigeland Park, with visitors nearby.

The metalwork on the gates around the monolith platform complements the sculptures.

Stone railing and staircase leading to a decorative metal gate with human figures, set against a clear blue sky and scattered clouds.

View of a large park with well-manicured lawns, intersecting pathways, and a central monument surrounded by sculptures. Trees and hills are visible under a clear blue sky.

These sculptures evoked a unique feeling of human connectedness in me. It seems unlikely that I will ever see them again but I’m very glad I did.

Munch Museum. Olso, Norway.

Modern waterfront building with unique architecture labeled “MUNCH,” adjacent to brick residential buildings, a river, and a pedestrian path.

Modern waterfront building with unique architecture next to a body of water. People are paddleboarding and lounging by the water.

Last Sunday we participated in the Bridge Pedal for the third time. This time we joined up with the Proper Pint team, which added even more fun than usual to the day.

A group of cyclists gathered near a large urban fountain with water jets, surrounded by modern buildings. Some are wearing helmets and matching T-shirts, and bicycles are parked around them. The sky is clear and sunny.

A group of cyclists gathered at an outdoor event, wearing helmets and casual clothing, ready for a bike ride. The street is filled with participants, surrounded by trees and urban buildings.

As always this ride presents views and perspectives that are not accessible in everyday use of these bridges.

Bridges spanning a river with small boats in the water, a cityscape in the background including a convention center and greenery along the riverbanks.

A cable-stayed bridge spans a river with a submarine docked nearby. In the background, there are modern buildings along the riverbank, and boats are visible on the water. The sky is clear and blue.

A group of people biking and walking across a large arched bridge with a blue sky in the background.

Activity Stats

Distance: 20.64 miles
Elevation Gain: 836 ft
Time: 4h 47m (Including various stops, food, beverages, etc.)