Willmar tribune., 1913-09-24
Letter From Norway

Letter From norway.
Norheimsund, Hardanger, Sept: 9th,
1913. .5.. : ..a=,.s
Editor Willmar Tribune,
3 In my last letter, I mentioned the
trip we were going to take to Chris
tiania and Haugesund. We left here
in the morning, July %, by motor
boat to Botnen. From there we had
to load our luggage on horse back
and walk up the mountain side. We
arrived at Lien in the evening. We
remained here four days and enjoyed
a good time. s One day we took a
trip on top of the mountain (Kjer-.
ingen) and slid down on the snow.
At that time it was very warm up
! there and Kept, so for some time.
On the Goth we started for Dale.
! Here we used the two-horse wagons,
which are mostly used in this coun-
try and rode a distance of %. kilo-.
meters, about IA miles. We saw
some beautiful scenery, including
two waterfalls that furnish power
for the Dale factories. When we ar
rived at Dale we saw Ludwig. Dale
(well- l-known Willmar boy) sitting on
the porch of his fathers home. We
had heard he was home, but he sure
was surprised to- see us there. 1t
seemed so nice to shake hands with
him and get acquainted with his
folks. Here we spent the most en-
joyable time we ever had in Norway.
Mr.. Dale's parents, Mr.. and Mrs
S0renson and his sisters, which were
all at home at that time, were very
nice and Christian people. We also
went through the factory with Mr.
Dale whore we could see the ma
chimes weave cloth from wool anG
cotton. This is the largest factory
Of its kind in this country. Dale il
surrounded with high mountains will
only a narrow opening where tn
railroad passes through. One coult
not feel much wind or storm her,
now but in the summer, it is one O.
the warmest places. It was 80 de
grees Fahrenheit when we wer'
there. Mr. and Mrs. S0renson fel
kind of sorry, for another one O
their boys left for Willmar las
spring. He is the third one goinl
| to Willmar He is now working OF
Spicer's stock farm near Greer
Lake. He is a bright boy with goot
talent. We read some poems writ
ten by him on the ship, which he sen
home to his folks when he reached
New York City and they were yer.
: good for boy of his age. I hop'
Willmar people will get acquainted
with him.
: The same e> cning, we boarded tn,
train for Voss, where we spent Sun
day. In the forenoon we went to tn
church where Rev. Lavik breaches
He uses the "Riksmaal," as most o
the ministers do in church but il
school the "Landsmaal" is in major
ity. In the afternoon sc took in th
town, we visited at Graatomcen
) ) where Mr.. Sandven spent some tim
in the army before he went &c Amer
ica. He was surprised to s.t tn
place and buildings in tho sam
style as when he was thelc Vos
has improved a great deal since
was here 13 years ago. 1t is no,
a nice little city and a tourist cen
ter. They have automobile rout
= from here to Eide, Hardanger. Th
next day we went on with a one da:
stop at Opset on (Longvatns St0il
en), where my wife's cousin is work
ing as "Budeie." When here, we ar
t close to Gravehals tunnel. It take
$ about eight minutes to pass throug
e this tunnel, it being the longest on
:, in Norway. The sights from her
S on are grand. At Finse we could Sc
the glacier not far off and close t.
the road was ice and snow. We ar
Y now 1922 meters above the sea lev
E ell, At this place, on the highes
: point of the road, we 60 down, bu
= it is not as steep us on the othe
b side Of the mountains. It is abou
: one hours ride from Finse to Gjell
which is fine place. Soon we reac]
$ Hol, Aal and Col in Hallingdal, whic]
are all fine places. The road nov
e follows the river until we reac]
h H0nepass. This is a nicely locate'
s city and has sawmill and severa
factories. The country around her
is all nice farming country. AS W
t came near the capital city, it wa
getting dusk so we did not get
very good view, but it was nice t.
q see the lights along the bay. w
reached Christiania at 20 p. m
where we stayed only few days a
] Hotel Bondeheiman which has jus
been built and is modern and up-to
date in every way. =.
: The St. Olaf's college student
were there for the second time an,
!, we intended to take in the concer
apain h,,t tho tiokotc ho1 oil hoo,