The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1911-03-25


spent in wandering over many
III lands Let US go north. write
Tor the uairaS eled-the general
reader. Bergen is by far the best cen
ter, from which TO radiate and get in
touch with the most attractive scenes
and sights in this northern land. by
train OF boat or carriOle you can
reach almost every spot of interest IN
Norway Travel in Norway naturally
divides itself in three sections, first,
the drive through its mountainous in
terror: second the exploration OF its
grand Fjords; and third, the voyage
from Trondjhem to the North cape.
This voyage in the fast excursion
steamers. which run two or three
times a week during the summer
months. occupies eight days for the
round trip. 1t is charming expedi-
tfon, for only in a few places need
rough weather be feared since for al
most the entire distance the steamer
glaes along in smooth water between
the coast of Norway and the long
fringe OF islands which serve for more
than / 900 miles as break-water to
protect the Norwegian shore from the
pillows of the North Atlantic.
The scenery for the first Is miles is
far from imposing or impressive and
on a dull day would undoubtedly be
monotonous and depressing, fitting
prelude withal. by the way OF con
trast, TO the sights and scenes of UNI
riyaled beauty TO follow.
Sailing through the clusters of is
let's one gets an idea Of Morse pilot
age At every critical point in these
dangerous archipelagos sharp. skill
full pilot suddenly jumps into notice,
giving rapid and peremptory orders
TO the man at the wheel. AS the dan
ger dminishes and the boat glides
out into the open, he disappears, TO
reappear again and again during the
Journey through these singularly tor
tuous and difficult passages. This.
however. is not the most ifficult bit
of navigation along the Norwegian
coast. as the tourist will find when
sailing due north from Bergen to-
wards the entrance OF the Sogne ford.
and north of this through the myriads
of Loffoden islets. Is. if possible. still
more difficult.
Having passed this rock-bound ster-
lie coast, we defect away to the left
into the Bommel ford. which may be
regarded as the outer portion of :. the
great Hardanger This is bounded on
one side by the mainland and on the
other by cluster Of islands. great
and small--a land-lockei sea in fact,
so miles long. We a,e now sailing
northeast. and the panorama at the
upper end OF this outer ford is sur
passingly beautiful Flanked in with
lofty mountains, looming in all drec-
tons, capped with eternal snow. which
in the rich sunlight of this autumnal
day flash forth dazzling rays. the
scene is most imposing. Yonder is
Rogendal, with the lofty Meldersking
rising 1850 feet; while stretching
away from its base Is an extensive
area of cultivated land-a rare sight |
along these fjords. where all is /
broken declivitous wild and wonder |
jul
Turning eastward, facing Rosendal, |
s the Maranger ford, which laves the |
base of the Folgefond mountain. We |
are now nearing that charming little
hamlet of Ostenso, with its ring Of |
v OGDEN houses. and near to this is
And now. as we move onward. the !
attention of all on board becomes )
more and more riveted by the glory ,
If the scene on every hand. By de-
ees every individual feature assumes
IRE imposing aspect: points less