Traveling to Alvdalen - Sundborn - Mora - Gåsvarv - Evertsberg

THE VAN:

Rick's unique 'head rest'

Saturday, July 31st. We left Uppsala around noon and began our trip to Dalarna. I will only speak about how our van and Marbles and Parkers car traveled. I don't know which routes Sheldon and LeGrand and their cars took.

Just a word about our van. Roger Zakrisson arranged for the new Volksvagen 9 passenger diesel for us to use through a car rental agency in Mora. When we arrived in Sweden we were met at the airport in Arlanda by Hasse and he handed us the keys. The perfect ride for our crew. We were very comfortable, even when Rick and Joelle joined us. We drove the van (Mike and Bonnie) from Stockholm to Ystad, then back to Stockholm and from there to Älvdalen (Mike, Bonnie, Rick) and back to Uppsalla where we turned in the van. In fact, Hasse drove us to Uppsala from Mora. Roger did us a great service. We owe him, big time! I don't remember how many kilometers we logged, but it was a lot.

As we traveled Rick was able to find rather interesting ways to nap - in the van as well as at stopping places.  Bonnie took a few photos that show the 'sleeping man'.

'Bench Rest'

'Table Rest' at Frösthult

Down and out at Gyllene Brunen

Grassy rest at Malmins

SUNDBORN:

On our way to Älvdalen, we stopped at Sundborn, the home of famous Swedish artist Carl Larsson. Carl Larsson was born in 1853 and is famous for his water colors and paintings of his family in their cottage "Lilla Hyttnäs". His paintings portray a happy family life. His wife Karin created a light and airy environment in their home with bright colors which contrasted the dark colors used in interior decorating during that time in Sweden. The home has remained just as it was when the family occupied it, creating an interesting living museum. Our guide was particularly informative and gave us a very nice tour.

When Larsson's art was put on display at the Stockholm Exhibition in 1897 it was an instant hit and was used by the media as an illustration of wholesome Swedish life. Today copies of his charming paintings can be found in Swedish calendars and lovely note cards.

He considered Midvinterblot (Mid Winter Sacrifice) to be his masterpiece, and was sorely disappointed when it was turned down for exhibition by the Swedish National Art Museum in 1915. It was not a picture of family life, but rather of the pagan sacrifice of King Domalde being offered at the Viking Temple in Uppsala. In 1997 it was purchased and donated to the Museum where it was hung on the wall as originally intended.

The on site store tempted many of us to buy just a few special items. 

MORA - GÅSVARV - EVERTSBERG:

After passing through a classic American car parade in Rättvik we finally arrived in Mora. We saw classic American cars all over in Sweden but they were having a week long event in Rättvik, sort of like Logan's Run. Cars with fins were especially popular. We didn't know how to get to Zakrisson's house but, as happened so many times during this trip, we got help from a stranger. Our cell phones didn't work in Sweden and, since we couldn't call, we did the next best thing. We went to a McDonalds parking lot and asked a comely young tös (girl) if she had a cell phone, which of course all flickor in Sweden do, and she called Maria, who called Roger's parents, who came and guided us to Zackrisson's house.

After a delicious meal of spaghetti with moose meat sauce, we left Mike and his family at Zackrisson's and Rick and Joelle in Rebeka Sten's apartment in Mora. Larry and Bonnie, with Vern and Mary and Dave and Wyoma and Jill went on up the road to Gåsvarv where we were bunked on the Bogg Farm by Karen Bogg. Slades and Marbles stayed in the old Baker's Stuga and Parkers and Jill in a nearby cottage.

Sheldon and Donna, LeGrand and Dianne, Christine, Rosalie, Gloria and Davine were accommodated in a big house owned by Ulla Bogg in Evertsberg. We all had wonderful places to stay.

It was a long day that lingered on in the northern twilight. Everyone went out of their way to make us comfortable.