One day last summer, when life was ‘normal’, I was volunteering at the Mount Horeb Driftless Historium….one of Mt. Horeb’s pride and joys (and well deserved.) At one point in my afternoon shift the Director, Destinee Udlehoven, approached me. She was pondering a different type of fundraiser, a tour somewhere in the world, and shared some of her thoughts. She then asked if I had any ideas. For anyone who knows me, knows that my head is always full of ideas! Given Mt. Horeb’s early history of Nordic immigrants settling in the area, and also knowing Kathleen Ernst, who had a number of books sharing the Norwegian tradition, I thought this might be a perfect blend. Her most recent book took readers to Norway. Destinee thought this idea was a good idea, but I needed to contact Kathleen to see if she was interested too. Lo and behold, I found two interested folks wishing to begin an exciting process of developing a trip centering around Kathleen’s latest book Fiddling with Fate.
We met later one fall afternoon at my house. I also invited my sister, Rebecca Hanna, who has extensive travel experience in southern Norway and also has a great deal of folk artist friends in the area. The four of us brainstormed over the afternoon with Norwegian treats at hand. I vividly remember Destinee experiencing Norwegian delicacies she had never tasted before. How fun it was to share my Norwegian tradition of food and good conversation around the table (though technically we should have been around a coffee table!) The air was filled with excitement for the possibility of doing this trip! A tentative timetable was developed which included meeting with a tour agent.
I attempted during the early winter months to keep up with the emails as by this point, my husband and I were out-of-the-country. Despite our own exciting adventure, I was thrilled to be a part of another unique adventure following the steps of main characters Chloe and Roelke. An itinerary slowly developed.
The Convid-19 virus forced my husband and I to return home, and changed how the now-five-of us planned this special trip. Unable to meet in person, we resorted to conference calls and heightened emails. But through it all, our plans prevailed. I am thrilled that we have a trip that will hold near-and dear to Chloe readers of all ages. This trip is so unique in so many ways! For those First Timers to Norway, it provides the very best of the authentic Norway. For those Repeat Travelers, it offers a look at things in a unique, specialized way. For those Chloe Followers, it offers all the spots written about in the book – how exciting!
Personally this is exciting for me too. We will be in the area of my great-grandmother, and in fact, visit the church where she was baptized and confirmed, and mentioned in the book. You will see the unbelievable rosemaling in the church, the beautiful apple orchards of the Hardanger Fjord and meet the people who are so special.
In this climate of daily negative news, there is something to look forward to experiencing! Hopefully we can do in 2021, but if not, in 2022. I look forward to my sister and I following Chloe and Roelke’s adventure, and experience southern Norway once again!
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