Read this on galpod.com.
"Mom, I like hiking and chatting."
"Me too, kiddo. That's why we're doing it."
Yes. That's why we're risking tick-borne diseases and falls and drowning and having a fucking tree fall on top of your head (that's a new worst-case scenario for me. Thanks, windy, wooded Sweden). Because when we hike we have time to chat, and it's so nice to chat while walking. What did we talk about? Honestly, I can't even remember now. It's been two full days. But that feeling of hiking and chatting is one of my favourites, and now my kids have experienced it.
We also encountered magical places like the one in the picture. I told my daughter this is where the actual fairies live because it looks like it. All fairy imagery I've ever seen is in that section of spread-out trees with some sort of moss growing among them. We found it while hiking a random trail near Nyköping, which is a sleepy little Swedish town. In Hebrew, Dr Seuss's "Oh, The Places You'll Go" was translated (roughly) into "When You Go Out You Arrive at Wondrous Places". Not the best translation, but I like the idea that finding new and wondrous places happens only when you leave the house. Transcend daily life, if you want to get all new-age-y about it.
We are now well into our adventure. We're driving along, surrounded by lakes with little islands in them, stopping to visit a lake here and a motor-museum there. We're in the heart of it. This means lots of shared memories, but also moments of frustration, and home-sickness, and plain old silliness. It's already shaping up to be the experience I was hoping for: family bonding and exploring. From now on, anything else is really just gravy.
By the way, I have another recommendation for you, if you're ever travelling with kids in Sweden. It's a little place called Palstorps Hage (just rolls of your tongue, no?) They have about a hundred things to do for kids of all ages and mommies who feel old enough to not give a fuck. There are obstacle courses, a racetrack (with trikes, so more for the little kids), slack lines, and zip lines. Some of it is indoor so you can go if it's a bit rainy as well. Most of the stuff is made of logs and plain ropes, so there's a rustic feel. We had great fun there.
Here's to a trip free from worst-case scenarios :)
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