nature | Apothecary Shed

Vigeland Park Oslo

November 1, 2023

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Lets Almost Go See a Waterfall in Norway: Vettisfossen

November 11, 2022

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The day could not have been prettier. Light rain, but gorgeous light. And peak Fall leaves. And waterfalls everywhere you look. The funny thing is, though we hiked about 13km, we never made it to the big waterfall! Ran out of light.

I guess we’ll just have to go back

THIS is not the one! But look. Spectacular does not even begin to describe this walk.

We had some very late lunch very near the top at an old farmstead and village.

The turn around point.

The Backyard (well, mountain) in Tyinkrysset

November 11, 2022

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Sometimes walking out the door and around back is the best way to hike. We bushwhacked up through juniper and blueberry towards a small lake where fish are rumored to live. Tyinkrysset, Norway is beautiful.

This little stream is just up the road a few hundred meters.

Here are some pictures of our walk in the mountains.

A view of the valley.

Chilly Romey.

Panorama

Our intrepid hosts at the top. Our fearless leader Nova was dressed for the weather.

We love being in Norway.

Coffee and brown cheese? Nova says yes.

A Hike to the Backwards Waterfall

November 8, 2022

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It’s pretty far to get to the waterfall, and the directions are tricky.

Maybe it’s that way?

Should we follow the reindeer?

And you have to stop by the visitors center snack place where they have really nothing. No coffee today, no waffles, nope, no water, sorry only candy made from juniper berries.

But there it is! Upness in a waterfall.

OK. Not the best waterfall in Norway, or really even the most interesting. But there were reindeer!

Peekaboo romey.

On the way home we dreamed of bubbles.

First (and last?!) time on the river 2022

September 5, 2022

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We are way too busy. During COVID the river was a key respite for us. Time to get back to our roots.

A run in September is just what the doctor ordered.

Honestly, they did answer…

Boyle’s boat looking grand.

A run of the class 0 rapids (with one hand).

Here’s to more Fall runs during 2022.

Ganesh Chaturti on the Shenandoah

October 29, 2021

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Sometime last summer (during the height of the pandemic), “the shrine” on my property was designed by Allen Kitselman and implemented by Claudio and his brother. On 9/12 it was properly initiated with a Ganesh Chaturi ceremony led by Karthik.

Here’s how that went down.

First, Karthik shared the significance of Ganesh Chaturti, read some ancient text, and made an offering.

Ready for the ceremony

Karthik leads the reading

Incense

Ganesh at the shrine (and everywhere else in the universe too)

In the verdant woods of Virginia

A gift for the mantle

Then it was off to the river for part two of the ceremony, a small prayer with an earthen Ganesha moorti which Jackie immersed in the Shenandoah river in a traditional way (plus kayaks).

We kayaked several miles together. Had lunch. Saw eagles. Reveled in nature. There was a cheeto sighting.