Day 46 - Steam Locomotive, Timber Slide and Ferry
Stepping back in time…
August 6, 2023: Sunday was the end of our weekend in Kristiansand. We packed and prepared to check-out of the Airbnb. It was the perfect location for trip. Next stop on our way back to Fredrikstad was to Setesdalsbanen.
The Setesdalsbanen is a railway line that originally ran between Kristiansand and Byglandsfjord in Setesdal. The line was opened on the stretch from Kristiansand to Hægeland on 26 November 1895, and to Byglandsfjord on 27 November 1896. The line was originally 78 km long, but was closed in 1962. However, a section of 8 km has been preserved and is operated today as a museum railway between Grovane and Røyknes. It is among the biggest tourist attractions in Southern Norway. We boarded the train in Grovane and road it the entire way. On the return trip, we stopped partway back and walked to the start of Trømmerrenna Timber Slide in Vennesia.
Trømmerrenna Timber Slide is an old wooden structure historically used to float timber from the forest to the river in the mid-1900s. It was build from 1952 to 1957. It is an exciting trip along the river, through forests, tunnels and over bridges. The timber run in Vennesla is the only and longest of its kind in the whole of Norway. It has become historic site, and over the years has been restored and protected. The last timber traveled through the slide in 1976. It took us one hour to make the journey to the end of the slide. We always love doing unique activities like this that are rare and off the beaten path. It was the first time Rune and Marit had done it as well which was especially fun for us.
Once back a the car, we headed toward Fredrikstad, but decided to take a more scenic route. It was fun to wind our way through the south central part of Norway on our way back. We stopped at a little roadside cafe and had some moose burgers with potatoes and gravy. So good! And of course, Softis 🍦😄. Then it was a short ferry ride from Horten to Moss across the Oslo Fjord before getting back to Fredrikstad.
We said our goodbyes and Rune & Marit left to head home to Askim. We are determined to see each other again, either in Norway or America. Our journey together will continue. It hard to believe it has been 49 years since I wrote my first letter to Marit and 42 years since I met her in person. Hopefully, we have many years ahead of us.