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Norway 2002 |
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 Nordfjord,
considered by some as the most beautiful of the fjords is still a
destination for cruise ships from many parts of the world. In the
picture one ship is docked at Olden, near to the inland end of the
fjord, and another is on the way. |
 In
this view down Lake Loen (an inland extension of the fjord) the
family farm is visible from the right edge to the small green spot on
the shore about 1/3 of the way in. The land is still owned by the
family even though the government prohibits anyone from living there. |
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From left to right, the original site of the farm buildings, destroyed in 1885 by the huge rocks that broke loose from the mountain above Ole's head in the 2nd photo. One family member was hurt in that slide when one of the rocks struck the house that was located at the site shown in the 3rd photo. For a look at the size of these rocks, Kari, Sharon and I are standing under the lip of one rock. My hand reaches 7'9" and is still about 3' short of the rock edge. One can understand why the family decided to move away from that location to the low lands seen in the distance just above the left rock in the 1st photo. |
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In retrospect they may have been safer to have stayed at the original site. In September, 1905, 300,000 cubic meters of rock broke loose from the face of Ravnefjell (Ravens Mountain) across the deep lake. The resulting tidal wave destroyed some of the buildings but none of the family was badly hurt. A steamship on the lake was thrown 100 meters up the side of the shore (red spot in the trees). In January 1936, 1,000,000 cubic meters broke loose, and this time the tidal wave swept all the buildings, livestock, soil and family away. The ship was moved an additional 200 meters up the shore where it can still be seen today. Six of the family living there at the time were killed, three were never found. |
Ole, Kari, and Anders on the left, Sharon, Odd, and
Ingred on the right. These pictures were taken at Ole's home in
Stryn. We had a wonderful visit with these and other family members
still living in the Nordfjord area. Some of the children have moved
to Olso and other parts of Norway to pursue chosen vocations. |
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 One
of the original family buildings is this grist mill. It was water
powered and used to grind flour. It still stands since it was further up
the mountain, above the reaches of the devastating tide. The part on
the right was added in later years. Recently, the building has been used as a
cabin. |
 Another
old building is this barn that was built by Kari's father which now
belongs to another family. |
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