River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-07-21
Letter From Norway

EDITOR JOURNAL:-Before leaving
River Falls | made some rash prom
ises of writing to various friends,
but find that time is short and with
your kind permission will ask for
short space in the Journal to square
myself.
The trip across was uneventful,
but as we had chorus of fifty Sc
lect singers on a concert tour we
had plenty of music. There were
also number of professional must
clans on board and the concerts
given were really frst-class. The
band played during the day and a
very nice orchestra furnished music
during dinner, so there was plenty
of music in the air.
The sail up the Christiania ford
is very pretty indeed, and the city
of Christiania, although compar-
atiyely new, presents number of
places of interest. The view from
the Halmenkollen, where several
hundred passengers gathered Mon
day morning, is magnificent. A
lady musician of some note, from
Minneapolis, made the remark that
she could not understand how Min
neapolis could be filled with Nor
wegians who might have the privi-
lege of living in Norway. She had
travelled in Switzerland and South
ern Europe but she thought Norway
beat them all.
After several unsuccessful at
tempts l finally located Mr.. Finn
Friis, who worked for Mr.. Burhyte
some fifteen years ago. He is now
a prominent resident of Drammen,
manager of large coal company,
owning his own home; has nice
family of eight children, and wanted
to be remembered to old friends in
River Falls.
The next day we took a trip to
Hamar and called on brothers and
sisters of the Norsengs. Mr.. P.
Norseng is very prominent as a
manufacturer of carriages, etc., and
has been awarded first prizes at the
various expositions. / spent the
night with them at their villas near
the city and Of course had a fine
time. Visited the exposition at
Gjovik the following day. What l
wish to mention particularly is the
railway trip from Christiania to
Bergen. Travellers say it is the
most interesting railroad in Europe,
and considering the distance, 1872
kilometers, which is covered in IA
hours, it is no doubt the most inter
esting road in the world, as the
scenery changes constantly. could
not even take time to go into the
dining car as felt that not a mo-
ment could be spared from this
scenery. would not attempt to
describe tit must be seen to be
appreciated. Within few hours
run one is in the regions of eternal
snow; the highest point reached is
1868 feet above sea level. At Finse
station a ski tournament was held
June 81 and g. A jump of ia feet
was made and the enthusiasm
among the sportsmen was great.
Here the snow was lying close up to
the track. After passing through
the Gravehalsen tunnel, $4,000 feet
long, we have one of the finest views
on the whole trip, nearly 1000 feet
down the precipitous mountain side.
In a few hours one can drive from
desolate mountain regions 20 fruit
full orchards. 1t is the most won
derful moving picture show you
ever saw, and it is no wonder the
tourists are so enthusiastic. Of
course the tourist traffic is acquir-
ing great dimensions, as everyone
tells his friends, on getting back
home, and as. q system is arranged
by which one can cover the whole
country, have the rout arranged
with hotel, drive and steamship
coupons, so no knowledge of the
language is needed. In the same
car with me were two Russians, two
French couples, a Dane, several
Americans, English, and Germans,
besides a few Norwegians. The
train consisted of fourteen coaches,
every seat taken, with two engines
and am told that this is not an un-
usual crowd during the summer.
Several warships are in the har-
Dor here. The king is expected
Monday to be present at the exposi-
lion and the German Emperor is
also expected next week on his
annual trip. The exposition is very
interesting, beautifully situated and
there seems to be big crowd daily.
1t was very amusing to see how
Al h1aF