Haugesund to Røldal to Haukeli

July 22, 2018

Haugesund - known as the "Home of the Viking Kings" because of the burial site of Harald Fairhair.

Langfossen - Langfoss Falls - about a 90 minute drive to the east of Haugesund. You come around the corner on the road an there is this amazing waterfall that cascades down and right under the road. The fifth highest waterfall in Norway.

Langfoss is voted one of the world's most beautiful waterfalls by CNN Travel, with a fall of 612 meters. Langfoss is in the middle of the Åkrafjord, and you can see it from the E134. There is a small turnout where you can stop and watch the falls and take a few nice pictures. We spent close to an hour here. You can walk the stairs that lead you down to the Åkrafjord, and get very close to the waterfall and can feel the energy of the high waterfall. On the way down we also experienced one of the great Etne stone parks.

Røldal Stavkirke - The church was built between 1200 and 1250, and is famous for its healing crucifix still in the church. According to legend it sweats once a year on "Olsok" (July 6th after the Julian calendar), and the sweat has healing power. Røldal was one of the most important sites of pilgrimage in Norway during the middle ages and pilgrims continued to come until 1835, longer than any other place in Norway. The church is beautifully decorated, and is still the parish church for Røldal.

Haukeli - mountain region neighboring Telemark known for it's outdoor activities of Skiing, Hunting & Fishing - We stayed overnight at Haukeli Husky (AirBnB) - They train & work with 46 Huskies that are used for sled pulling all year round - Summer sleds are on wheel

Haugesund

Mormon Pioneer Handcart Monument in Haugesund in honor of the Norwegian sculpture who did the original on Temple Square in Salt Lake

anyone for sailing?

coastal oil barge on the way from Stavanger to Haugesund

Another Tunnel among many on the roads in Norway

entering the Ferry on trip from Stavanger to Haugesund

oil rig just off shore

17th of May 1864 (Norwegian Constitution Day)

Some of the local farmers rolled huge boulders down the roadways to hinder Germany from advancing during the war. They called them HITLERTANN "Hitler's teeth" they are now just off of the main roadway.

one of the better selfies so far - this is the field just behind Hitlertann

Langfossen

When the sun pokes it's head out for a brief time and it makes the flowers look magnificent in the foreground

Etne stone wall - large gem stones line the fence wall leading down to the bottom of the waterfall

next attraction was Roldal Stavkirke just off of v134

rosmaling on the wall of a gas station pit stop

Haukeli Mountains

Cabin in Haukeli where we spent the night

bellows in the cabin to help start the fire in the fireplace

rules of the mountain - hanging on the wall of our cabin in Haukeli

We arrived a little after 10p and everyone just kicked back and relaxed after a long day of driving.

Stairs leading to an attic where more sleeping quarters were if needed.

the bedroom we slept in

We turned the lights on in the cabin but as you can see they weren't really needed. Plenty of light outside...but it was a nice mood.

another view of Haukeli mountain range

midnight sun at the cabin. That is a sauna in the background.

Husky sled dogs were anxious to see people early the next morning. They have 46 that are trained to pull sleds all year round. In the summer they pull sleds on wheels.