Friday, July 8
We have now been on the road officially for one month.
Here is a picture of our campsite under the BASE exit 
Hellesylt – the hike up (for good hikers) averages 2.5 hrs. It is harder than Kjerag which is referenced as “a walk in the park”, “the easiest hike in Norway”, Tony is waiting for the helicopter at 4pm to make his first jump. So we have some extra time and head into town to get a few things – a larger packing mat, masking tape, apples, … I rode my bike (it’s mostly all downhill) and Tony drove the RV. There is a carnival setup in town and a few vendor tents; looks like it’s going to be a big weekend in this small, lovely Norwegian village. Tony and I walk around town, check out some shops and get information on the scenic ferry that runs between Hellesylt and Geiranger. It is an hour ride so I am taking my bike and Tony is going back to the BASE camp. It’s now 2pm.
The ferry ride was wonderful. There are several abandoned farms along this fiord that are preserved by “the Friends of the Fiord” even though they are still privately owned. Most occupants left during the 1960′s, some before. The farm in this picture was left 100 years ago because of a large rock overhang they thought would collapse on them – it is still overhanging 100 years later. The farm is so high up, they tethered their children to keep them from falling into the fiord. 
This farm was accessed by ladders. When the tax collector came they took the ladder up and the tax collector went home empty handed. 
This series of falls are called “The Seven Sisters”. There is a legend the sisters are all still unmarried and have broken the hearts of many men with their beauty. 
Geiranger is a small tourist village filled with small local shops and tent vendors. It was wonderfully relaxing (girls) to wander through and visit with the locals. This chocolatier, Bengt Dahlberg, opened his shop 1 year ago. He uses a blend of Norwegian brown cheeses, goat and cow, and honey from a local farmer to fill the center of these dark chocolate sensations 
. His website is www.geirangerskokolade.no if you want to see more, of course it’s always great to stop by in person. I had lunch across from the marina; a plate of topas – moose, raindeer, spiced pork, Wise Man aged (like bleu cheese), a couple of other local cheeses, apricot compote, dried tomatoes, green olives and the local draft Hansa beer. Ahhhh, bon appetit! Then back on the ferry and biking uphill to the BASE camp. I’m getting better – it took 35 minutes and 6 brief rests, whew!
Tony had a great time on his first jump here. It was filled with excitement – first time using this rig, first time using this canopy, first time jumping this exit, an though he has 100″s of skydive’s on the Apache its the first time jumping one on a BASE jump. A lot of firsts!! “One very nervous jump” he said, He exited along side Graham, a Scott, here for the competition. Everyone said from the ground it looked like he was going up! He pulled high, short of the finish line so was not close in the time category but was very happy with the jump overall. Frode [2009 champ] had the fastest time on the practice jump followed by our own Odd Martin, the Go Pro team are here again and will do the WBRace next week also, nice to have fellow Americans “along for the ride” its quite a tour.
As I rode in, Tony was finished packing and we headed over to the tent to hang out for awhile. Martin, the landowner, and his son, Martin Jr, have a tent set up for gathering and meals. They fix 3 meals a day for 3 days for 350 Kroner (about $70 USD). That is the most affordable price we have seen since we got here. A hamburger and fries in Lysebotn was $30 USD. So we have paid for meals for 3 days, money well spent and they are cooking good food!
…so, Tony and Hans Christian are still not in the competition, but their times are being logged. We will see what happens tomorrow 
