Regrets, vol. 1: To Ålesund

So we made it to Ålesund in two days despite taking the scenic route. And you could too!

But should you?

No.

As I kvetched about described looking back on the drives over the Sognefjell mountain road and from Lom to Geiranger, you're winding your way through scenery so dense it's like a movie trailer that goes on for hours, or an all-day bar hop, only they're not bars but Michelin-rated restaurants — all highlights, no filler. Before long, you're numb.

Not to mention many of these roads are tiring. After a while you'll feel like you spent spent hours threading a needle on a roller coaster while balancing on one leg and dodging high-speed geese.

Learning: Give yourself time. We had, originally. The plan was to take two days from Lom to Ålesund, spending the night at a campground in Geiranger. We had to cut it short when we couldn't get the delivery date we'd wanted for the Volvo, and our AirBnB in Ålesund was already booked. So, we booked, and made it in two days with time to spare, but that doesn't give you much time to stop and smell the roses. Or the heather. And we just plain cut out Gudbdrandsjuvet, the National Tourist Route Trollstigen, Trollveggen, and Rampestreken.

Unless you just want to get to Ålesund, give yourself three or even four days. This is the thick of fjord country, and if you're only going this once you want to get all of it. All. The. Things. And have time to enjoy it.

If, on the other hand, you do just want to get to Ålesund, there's a much simpler route you can do in a day:

Much easier. So there are two choices, I think: If you just need to get from A to B, take the short route. If you're going the scenic route, take your time about it. There are campgrounds everywhere. Use them!

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