On our way....

After months of planning and with eager anticipation, we start our adventure to Norway. Unlike other vacations we have taken this one is particularly unique. For you see we not only have places to see but instead distinct people to meet. 

First we are very excited to be re-united after 22 years with our foreign exchange student, Stein Vidar Karlsen. He stayed with our family during the school year of 1990-91 while we were living in Sioux City. Jon and Chris were only 4 and 2 years old then and Stein affectionately referred to them as the "little monsters". We can hardly wait to see him and his family in Oslo. 

Secondly, we are anxiously awaiting to visit the area where Bob's great granparents immigrated from. It reads like a fairy tale.... We will take the express boat up the coast from Bergen to the island of Vagsoy, then to the village of Vagsvag to see the Vaage family farm.... In Vagsvag we will finally meet some of Bob's relatives and share an unspoken bond. 

Well, how can one not be a little emotional about all that!

 I am filled with warm thoughts.