Scenes of Sweden

Dear Travel Diary,

What began at 5:30 p.m. Minneapolis time has culminated in a whirlwind travel adventure across the Atlantic, touched down in one American city (Newark) and two European ones (Copenhagen and Kalmar), and 24 hours later - we dropped off our bags at the First Hotel Witt in Kalmar, Sweden.

So it would make sense to collapse into that bed, correct? NO. Instead, we force ourselves to stay awake, seeking the most caffeinated beverage sold in the city (triple shot espresso THANK YOU) to help us keep up with the local time. That is the secret to winning the fight against jet lag. Until I had my coffee, I could have sworn 'tired' was an emotion - I felt that shit deep in my soul.

The city of Kalmar has quite the historical account to tell amongst its modern city planning. Cobblestone streets and brick pavers still compose the majority of the roads and sidewalks. The city is located on the Baltic Sea, so a stone flood wall constructed in the 1600s still reports for duty. There are ancient cannons still poised, and though one hasn't been shot for centuries, their presence tells a unique story. This scene predates the treaty signed in Medieval times by the Scandinavian countries to maintain peace amongst them.

 These photos were taken at 10 p.m.

There is a castle built in the 13th century, and today, parts of the old jail have been converted into the glass-blowing studios that create Sweden's famous glass. I was in awe as I walked in the footsteps of Scandinavian history.

 Kalmar Castle

My final sentiment? There aren't enough hours in a day, days in a week, months in a year nor years in a lifetime to fully appreciate all this world has to teach. I do feel I received the essence of this portion of Sweden - a lovely summary described in the hundreds of photographs I brought home with me. These images trigger so many memories I'm so honored to have.

Sunset View From 18D

Dear Travel Diary,

 

I watched the moon rise as night fell somewhere over the East Coast as we flew into Newark. It was just a pit stop until it was time to try for seats on an airplane bound for Europe.

I know I have barely begun to scratch the surface, but when one aspires to travel the world - the most important thing to do is start. I am curious to see how 5 days in a Scandinavian country, at a time when the sun never sets, will change me. Will it alter my perspective in any way shape or form, and influence how I move forward? I am eager to find out. And this trip is my first outside of the U.S. (okay, that is a lie - I did spend a few days in Canada 8 years ago but the cranky border guard didn't stamp my passport) so my eyes are open, my mind seeks and my camera is ready.

Finally, to the woman beside me in Row 18, who silently observed me photograph these sunset scenes - I will not apologize for my own excitement, even if it seemed awkward to press the lens of my iPhone 6Plus against the dirty airplane window. The view beyond was beautiful.

P.S. The look she gave my husband when he sauntered to my seat from the fifth row and asked for my passport was PRICELESS - sorry miss, he's not a Federal Air Marshal just a goofball booking our next flight from the air ...

Minnehaha Falls - Minneapolis, MN

Dear Diary,

After the #DeltaBlockParty, we decided to check out Minnehaha and cool off a little. 

 The face of a kid, who sorry - you may not jump in.

Madelyn spotted a restaurant. This is her "can I eat it?" face ...

#DeltaBlockParty

Dear Diary,

This past weekend, we spent a few hours at the Delta Block Party, held at the headquarters of its regional carrier, Endeavor. Immediately, I endeavored to own a similar grill as the own shown above! It was a hot day (90*) but we managed to carve out some fun.

Like that moment, when he realized his son (65 mph) threw a faster pitch than he (58 mph).

Then, we shot hoops for prizes ...

(Hi-Five)

Landen showed off his throwing arm in front of Vikings staff members, but avoided the nearby cheerleaders.

We were literally melting in the heat - the Upper Midwest can handle snow storms, but throw down some heat and we board the struggle bus. I'm a self-professed lover of summer and sunshine, but even I will admit 90* is no joke.

Next up, miniature golf - Maddie needs to work on her form, but she did well for her first time!

We tried out the fun activities at the St. Paul Saints booth.

And found some shade near the stage, but the music took hold of Madelyn - she must dance!

Heart-to-heart ...

As I previously posted on my Facebook page, Madelyn gave Leo a run for his money ...

It was a fun day!

Colorado is always a good idea.

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(DIA)

Dear Travel Diary,

Inspired by a graduation announcement and finalized with a well-timed EFF IT, we boarded an outbound flight to Colorado for the weekend.

The reason was a good one - to celebrate a relative's college graduation and her accomplishments. And what's even more exciting, is that she will be relocating to the Land of 10,000 Lakes this summer!

The hours were jam-packed with activity, documented through the lens of my iPhone 6 Plus because it all went by so fast. The photographs speak for themselves though. Observe - 

(Denver skyline)

My first visit came in December 2003, where I learned to ski at Copper Mtn. (Truth be told, learning to ski in the Rockies was a bucket list level of achievement, even though my skill is nothing to write home about.) We honeymooned in Breckenridge in January 2006. With family here, we're often called back for the best reasons and it is always a blast.

Moon River Brewing Company - Savannah, GA

(View of the street from inside Moon River)

 

Dear Travel Diary,

There is a bar in Savannah, Georgia called The Moon River Brewing Company.

 

It is pretty non-descript – white-washed brick with dark lettering, and an awning over the entry. It’s 3 stories mesh with the rest of the storefronts that overlook the harbor, and truthfully, one thinks nothing more of it than having a drink on the patio.

The term ‘haunted’ is thrown around there. Out of curiosity, I asked the employees if they believe it to be true, and they all said the same thing. “There is indeed a lot of history here, but since I work here, I cannot think about that.”

Originally built in 1821 and named The City Hotel, the establishment got its start as the city’s first hotel and post office. Patrons from the North would stay there, and violence would erupt when local people defended their Southern honor. There is at least one documented death, and a violent attack that left a man near death. The hotel closed in 1864 when General Sherman led the Union army through Georgia. 

With such turbulent history, it’s easy to associate a ‘haunting’ with a building that has withstood the passage of time. When Gen. Sherman arrived in Savannah, for reasons unknown, his soldiers spared the city its typical destruction of war. The building sat vacant until the 1990s, when it was transformed into Moon River Brewing and opened for business in 1999.

I listened to accounts of the building being used as a makeshift hospital for sick children, dying of an epidemic. They were treated as best they could with 19-century medicine on the third floor. I also heard that the roof was torn off during a hurricane. And yet, the building still stands.

One can say it’s the mind playing tricks on you. Or it’s just the imagination running wild, fueled by the stories told from within its walls. And speaking on general terms, I would agree. The mind will believe what it wants to believe. I had to see for myself.

We were granted access to first, the basement. Rumored to be connected to other historic establishments in Savannah, I wanted to see if I could find evidence of a tunnel. (I couldn’t.) However immediately, as you descend the staircase, the centuries melt away. It’s cold, and creepy, as basements typically are. The electricity seems foreign and out of place within a building built before its customary use. The lighting was dim. There was no furniture. And despite bar patrons taking advantage of the happy hour specials directly above us, it was absolutely silent.

Later that evening, we were granted access to the second floor. We were forbidden from going up to the third, however. These two upper floors are in a serious state of decay, with the third posing the worst threat to our safety. The story goes, renovations were attempted here to restore the entire building to its former glory. But then one day, the foreman’s wife was violently shoved down the stairs and the foreman quit that very day. The renovations came to a halt, and to this day, the supplies remain untouched. It is unclear if these renovations will ever resume.

Upstairs was even more of a time capsule. I admired the ornate detail work found in the trim, the transom windows, the banister of “the” staircase where the wife was pushed. Modern construction does not embrace such a thing, so I very much wrestled with a little jealousy over that. I imagined the building in its prime, when it was a hotel. People slept in those rooms. And there I was, standing in my jeans where women in hoop skirts once walked. 

That’s when I began to touch on the building's reported creepiness. The chipping paint that surrounds you seems to fuel that, as does the wallpaper that the years have not been kind to. In my imagination, I began to remember the children that died of illness, the cries and sorrow that filled these rooms and then the storm that tore the roof off. If these walls could talk, they would fill us in on details of a history we could have never imagined. 

Moon River made me realize that a haunting does not always mean a spiritual presence. Here, the ghosts are the tangible objects that have no place in 21^st-century America. What haunts the living, rather than a horror story, is a legacy that doesn’t want to be forgotten.

In 2003, the city of Savannah was named America’s Most Haunted City with Moon River housed in its most haunted building. But from what I’ve experienced, it’s not the dead the haunt this beautiful city. It’s the stories.