Road trip in the summer – Day 1

After a terrible gloomy periode with little inspiration, and some summer weather to boot, I packed up the car. Into the back seat and the trunk went camping gear, camera gear and Edwart, my miniature schnauzer. My first plan was to take a trip as a circle from Stavanger through Sirdal and Setesdal further up to Haukelifjell over to Odda on the E134 then over the mountains to Rosendal, Leirvik, Haugesund and back to Stavanger. Well, this plan ended up being changed the first day. The trip started gloomy with overcast weather from Stavanger and up through Sirdalen to Ådneram. That’s where I took a detour to Lysebotn to get some spectacular mountain views.

As I said, the weather began out a bit gloomy, but warm. I started from Stavanger, and headed down south on the E39 to Helleland. At Helleland I turned north on National road (called Riksvei in Norwegian) 42 through Gyadalen toward Sinnes. The weather got better the further I got up through Sirdalen. I had hoped that I would get some shots by Gyavatnet, but this has to wait for another day.

That’s was not the plan

My initial plan was that the trip should take me from Sirdalen and over the mountains to Setesdal. This was not to be. My first detour occurred. With such improving weather and diminishing anxiety I headed back into Rogaland, and down to Lysebotn. A place I haven’t visited since my childhood years. Beside giveing me a spectacular vistas, the weather had also improved to where the sun was now shining from the blue dotted sky.

After snaking down the road to Lysebotn it was nice to stop and grab a cold beer (non-alcoholic). All can’t just be photography and driving. I enjoyed a short breather before I started the climb back up to the mountain plateau. 

Further on over the mountains

The road took me further back into Vest-Agder county (now known as just Agder county) on the Suleskar-road. More stunning mountain landscapes to behold, but “bad” weather in a photographic sense. Harsh midday sun that did not lend itself for much shooting. Only harsh shadows and contrasts with no interest in the sky. At the end of the Suleskar-road I ended up in Setesdal.

My original plan was to drive to Haukeli and camp there for the night. I had stayed there the year prior. Since the clock just showed a little past 5 in the afternoon and with my restlessness still driving hard in my body I decided that I would alter my route. My new plan was to take national road 45 over to Dalen i Telemark from Valle, and then head further up to Imingfjell. As I knew, the road to Imingfjell would take me past Rjukan and Tinnsjøen (Tinn Lake). A site where I shot some nice sunset shots last summer. Even though the sunset I hoped for eluded me when I came to Austbygd I got one shot. 

Need to find a place to sleep

From Tinnsjøen I headed up Tessungdalen and further on over the mountains to Geilo. As the light faded more and more around me I pushed on. Hoping to reach Hardangervidda National Park before I had to call it a night. From Geilo I got on national road 7 and headed for a place to camp along the road in the national park. With a little search along the road I found a good  spot. There were no other campers or trucks parked visible in the dark. and a view of the sunrise the next day. The night was spent sleeping uncomfortably in the back of the stationwagon. Cramped in between the wall of the car and Edwart’s crate, but hey… for a sunrise at Hardangervidda to wake up to, it was all worth it.

All pictures are shot with Nikon D200, Tamron SP lenses.

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