Tut tut it looks like rain

68 km today to arrive in Oskarshamn (pronounced Oscar’s Ham). Many of the staff /service people in town wear t-shirts to that effect.

I’ve seen scenery from all over Europe, and I love the scenery in Sweden. Most of the trip has been through dark forests or fields. The huge rocks seemingly placed at random in the middle of fields contrast with the forests and growth within the rocks. It’s not the raw majesty of the Alps, but something different. The open wilderness readily lends itself to wild camping, which is legal in Sweden.

Certainly sections of the forest do show heavy deforestation, which makes sense given how many things in Sweden are made from wood instead of plastic. But those sections are fairly isolated.

And everywhere wild flowers. By the side of the road. Intermixed with the wheat in the fields.

We had lunch in a field overlooking a lake (and nearby cows). We rode under the threat of rain the second half of the day, always with blue sky and fluffy clouds in front of us, but dark clouds to either side. Despite a period of thunder, we had only a couple intervals of light rain (enough to make us nervous but never enough to get us wet).

I pulled out the upcoming ferry schedules only to realize I’d originally added all the dates to the calendar in Eastern Standard Time. Now that I’m not IN EST, everything on the calendar was off by 6 hours (which in at least one case made it on a different day). Hopefully fixed now.

The staff tonight have been amazing. The bathroom might be the smallest I’ve ever seen. In a cute way.

Made it to the coast!

Friday, August 2

Vimmerby to Oskarshamn

Rick sometimes notes that he hits days where he feels his power kick in. He feels it in 3s. Three days, 3 weeks. Well, there was no 3 involved, but I finally felt it! Not that I didn’t still use the E on my bike, but I could pedal faster and farther up hills. Although we didn’t have too many hills as we were heading toward the coast, so mostly down.

Had lunch in a pretty spot by a lake.

We were out in the countryside all day.

We have noticed these elevated ramps into the upper levels of barns. Not sure if they are for the trackers or animals, though I don’t think you’d keep the animals up high like that. Might topple.

Saw a couple varieties of mushrooms.

Arrived in Oskarshamn about 3:15, after 6 hours on the road. Not bad for 68 kms.

We wandered into town. There was an English speaking band playing blues in the town square.

Went down near the waterfront.

Tonight we are in a Best Western, with the tiniest bathroom ever. Must be about 2.5×6′, including toilet, sink and shower. A bit of a squeeze!