AUGUST 12...(DAY 20)...Next Stop Ronnbacken (Northwest of Ockelbo)

House in Ronnbacken: We spent two nights in this awesome house, which is owned by the cousins of old friends of Amanda's family. This house was huge, and all 6 of us had separate bedrooms. The house was built in the mid-1800s, and has been restored several times. The floors have wide wood planks, there are two kitchens (one per floor), and two bathrooms. There is a shower room and a sauna in the basement. AWESOME!!! Many thanks to Anna-Maria and Gunnar for allowing us to stay in the house.

Typical Forest Floor: I decided to walk down a trail to a pond to explore what I considered to be prime moose habitat. I couldn’t resist taking this photo as it is typical of so many of the forest floors I have seen throughout Sweden. There is moss and lichen everywhere!

Typical Moose Habitat: This pond was prime moose habitat as you will see in the next photo. It was such a pretty setting for wildlife watching. Our hosts had recently seen bear scat near their house, and have seen a wolf in the area!

Moose on Pond: This pond is on the property of the house we stayed in for two nights. I was actually on my way back to the house, so as not to be late for breakfast, when I heard a moose calling. I high-tailed it back to the pond and saw this female feeding in the boggy grasses. We saw each other at the same time, and both of us froze. Then, she nonchalantly made her way to the neighboring woods.

VIDEO: Watch the moose walk through the bog: This moose wandered into the boggy area to feed. What a wonderful way to start my day! I hope you enjoy the video.(Note: In order to play this video, you need a lot of patience if using dial-up. You also need Flash.)

We were honored visitors at a nearby moose park.

After my exciting moose-filled morning at the guest house, we visited this Elk (aka moose) park in Ronnbacken. There are 7 moose in the park, and they have 140,000 acres of heavily wooded land on which to roam.

Moose Sign: In Sweden, moose are called Elk, or Alg.

Algparken Guide: Our guide was wonderful. He gave us a private tour of the park before opening hours. The park personnel were excited that Americans were visiting, and set up the special tour for us. We were completing our tour when the park opened, and the guide shooed people away from the moose enclosure so we could have a private viewing!

This guide is the "parent" to the two yearlings in this enclosure. He is raising them until they can be released into the larger area of the park.

Female Moose: This is a female yearling who shares this enclosure with a yearling male. She was not interested in meeting us, but her brother was very friendly. It seems as if the moose in Sweden have smaller heads and shorter/stockier legs than those in Maine.

VIDEO: Watch the young female moose chew on a branch: This pretty little girl lives in the Algparken where she is well cared for. She will be released into a larger part of the park when she grows up. (Note: In order to play this video, you need a lot of patience if using dial-up. You also need Flash.)

Male Moose: This yearling was ultra friendly, and loved to eat bananas. We were behind the enclosure, and I had to snap the photo through the fencing. He did let me pet him. And, yes...moose do enjoy eating bananas!

Moose Antler: I got to touch this fuzzy antler, and it is as soft as it looks.

Laurie with Moose Hat: This hat is Ulla Lena's fault. I was done shopping at the Algparken gift shop, and she goes and says, "Laurie, look at this hat; it is so you!" And, there you have it, I had to buy the darned hat and wear it around the park, and in the car, and to bed...I love this hat!

Next, we went to a local botanical garden

Sunflower: I enjoy the beauty of sunflowers which had a bed all their own at the botanical garden. I couldn't resist this one.

Back to the farm for a bit of horseback riding.

Evelina on horse: Evelina has ridden horses before and was very comfortable riding this one. She was in her element. She is Jonathan's cousin. And, the lovely woman guiding the horse is Kristina. Kristina belongs to the family who were our hosts on this part of the trip. Her family are age old friends of Amanda's family.

Jonathan on horse: Jonathan really enjoyed his horseback ride, and wanted to climb on up for more.

Amanda on horse: Amanda was quite the natural horsewoman! She was braver than I and actually rode the horse. I used the age-old excuse of having to be the photographer.

 Kristina and her lovely horse: Kristina's horse is the most gentle horse I have ever met. They are truly bonded.

VIDEO: Watch Kristina ride her horse: Kristina loves horsing around and her trusty steed is up for a galloping good time. (Note: In order to play this video, you need a lot of patience if using dial-up. You also need Flash.)

Guests and Hosts together: Front row - Evelina & Jonathan, 2nd row - Kristina and Ulla Lena, 3rd row - Ulla Britt, Amanda, Gunnar, Anna Maria. We had a lovely stay in this old home. A big "Thank You" to our hosts. 

And, next, you will hear Amanda and young Evelina serenading me.