BoathousePrivate boathouse at the east end of Lustrafjord, Norway Boathouse on Lustrafjord

In September 2006, after traveling south for over 4 hours from Geiranger in west central Norway, my wife and I came to where County Road 55 turns and heads further south toward Bergen. This is easternmost point on the fjord called Lustrafjorden. This highway, beginning in Lom and ending in Bergen, was once a national roadway and designated as a National Tourist Route. The fjord was very peaceful that day, almost mirror-like and we needed this view, if nothing else but to relieve the stress of driving. It had been a long day and we craved the serenity of this scene. What struck me especially about this scene besides its natural beauty were two small boys playing soccer, out of camera view, along the mostly quiet rural county roadway meandering alongside the fjord. Norway, like most other european countries is full of soccer fields where kids can play, even in small towns. It is their national sport. But here, the kids were playing in the roadway with such a beautiful view behind them. Oblivious to the view for the moment and concentrating on practicing kicking their ball was of the utmost importance to them. To my wife and I it was the serene view laid out before us. No speed boats, no factory buildings, no ferries, just peaceful, flat blue water.

This older boathouse, like so many in Norway, had a stone foundation, and wood frame construction with slate roof above. Repainted maybe every ten plus years or so, the wood clapboard siding showed the effects of the harsh Norwegian winters. The entrance to the boathouse from the fjord side was on the other side, out of view. The approach to the building from the roadway was merely a couple of logs used as beams, propped up on posts and stone, spanning over the water with planking between the logs for walking on. No railings, no gates, no signs not to trespass, no "caution for hazards" signs. Just a boathouse along the road.