Islandic Ponies

Close to the Swedish border, about a 2 hr drive South East from Trondheim, we got to experience a half a days horse ride on Islandic horses/ponies. It was a rich, exciting experience from start to finish.

The Hell Tunnel: There is a small town outside Trondheim named Hell (in Norwegian, Hell means good luck or good fortune). We pass through this town. Rather than build roads over and around mountains, Norwegians build their roads through the mountain. This is The Hell Tunnel. It is almost 3 miles long.

Instead of renting just a mini-van to get us there, my mom rented a NINE passanger monster. In a land of compact Saab's, Volvo's, Audi's, BMW's, Mercedes, and Opels, we really looked out of place. And, it was a FORD of all things!
It was SO roomy!

These horses, though they appear small in stature, were amazing. They are raised in a herd on Island. I was surprised time and again, as we crossed rivers and climbed steep rocky paths how steady they were on their feet. I honestly felt I could trust my horse 100% to get me safely through any passage. It was also interesting to see them interact with other's from the herd. The horses left behind were clearly concerned about the separation.

In the thick of the forest, with moss covering rocks, wild flowers littered between the plethera of trees, it was easy to picture the landscape that gave birth to hundreds of well known fairy tales and folk tales. I would not have been surprised to see a troll under the next mossy boulder.

Here as the landscape flattens out, we can see the mountains that separates Norway from Sweden.

Intertwined with our path was the historic route that medieval pilgrims would take on foot from all over the country to the then capital Trondheim and the great cathedral Nidaros Dommen (pictures to be posted later). It was touching to see old rocks mark this path and to think of the many pilgrims that wondered this path in search of forgiveness from whatever sins they may have comitted.

The helmets were a must - along with the rain boots. In Norway, there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.

Although they were too young to come on the ride, the babies got to meet the horses when we returned.

After eating our lunch over a small fire, we took time to pose with our backs to Sweded.