Road trip to Storuman

Yet another early start to our day but not before a fabulous breakfast of eggs, bacon, potatoes and my favorite, fry bread! Today we’re heading north to the small town of Storuman, about 150 miles from Krokom. Collette read about this old 1800’s church that is reported to be the biggest wood church in Sweden. Built in 1885, the church had seating for all 2,000 parishioners in the town. Safety concerns were raised by town officials so today they are only allowed to have 1,000 attendees at any one service. Stensele Kyrka (kyrka is Swedish for church) is about 4hrs drive so we needed to leave early.

Along the way there are a couple of other sites we’ll check out. A cable suspension bridge that in 1956 was the longest in Sweden, not to be missed, and the red Wildman of Storuman. Can’t wait! Weather today is cool, 61⁰, no rain but a little cloudy. Good touring weather.

Much like yesterday, the scenery is mostly trees, farms, lakes and rolling hills. No real mountains to speak of which brings a question to mind. If Sweden has an Olympic alpine ski team, where do they practice? The highest hill we’ve seen so far can’t be more than 1,500’, tops. Maybe Norway rents out a mountain close to the border?

As were driving north one thing becomes apparent, Sweden has millions of trees. The rolling hills are covered in a sea of Pine and Aspen trees. Lots of lodge-pole pine so not large trees but millions of them. Mixed in with the trees are large, granite boulders, some the size of a small car. Looks like these are the remnants of a receding glacier that past through here thousands of years ago.

The drive wasn’t particularly interesting so I thought I’d bore you with a bit of a video taken by none other than Mother Ansel.

We arrived at the suspension bridge just in time to enjoy our lunch at the park below the bridge. Nice setting in a peaceful park-like marina complete with a cemetery right next door. At least they’re quiet.

Also have a few pictures of the church, again, not real impressive but damn it we drove for 4hrs so here it is.

This is interesting. Imagine finding the distinctive Amanita muscaria mushroom know for its hallucinogenic properties right here in the churchyard.

And on our way back, the red Wildman of Storuman. Not sure about this one. According to the brochure, the Wildman has come to stand for strength and dignity. If you ask me, he looks like what Santa feels like after delivering all those toys only to hear, “that’s not what I wanted!”

Looks ready to bop a kid to me!

Done for today. Long ride back to the cabin but a pretty nice day seeing the countryside of Sweden. We leave tomorrow for Norway stopping overnight in the small town of Oppdal. Big ski town but not much else going on especially during Fall.

In case you didn’t figure out the closing from our last post, I morgon translates to “tomorrow”.

Cheers