Pilgrimage(s) to Trondheim

Trondheim

It has only now occurred to me that over the centuries many have made pilgrimages to Trondheim.  Our family has also made that pilgrimage to visit relatives of both mor-mor and mor-far.  They are here in Trondheim.

Marilyn and I got up to find a grocery store to buy and make breakfast.  We were greeted with a parking ticket.  We knew better but just missed the meter maid by 5 minutes.  We brought coffee, eggs and ham back to the room to fix for everyone.  However, one more thing – the van wouldn’t start.  Better here in town than out on the highway, somewhere.  Trygve had just put a new battery in, so I knew it was the charging system.  Back to the front-desk (Budget Rent a Car, etc) and they have a garage right there.  I talked with Stigge and he said he could fix it (after we diagnosed the problem) but it may take another day to get the alternator.  Oh – well, we really didn’t have a room reserved yet, anywhere else.  After breakfast we all walked to the Nidaros Cathedral.  Wow.  This is really something.  The King and Queen are coming this week for a ceremony celebrating the 100^th anniversary of his grandfather’s coronation.  Things were real busy with news camera crews setting up and grounds keepers cleaning and fixing.  This is some cathedral with a very interesting 1000 year history.  We climbed to the top of the tower – very much like the climb to the top of Rosenkrantz Tower in Bergen.  This is one of just a few cathedrals in Europe that pilgrims have walked to for centuries – also Paris and Rome.  It is huge – now – but is not finished.  The Reformation seriously impacted its economic health.  Stein called and invited us for “coffee and cake” and said he would meet us at 5:30.  I told him about the car trouble and he said he would bring two cars.  We took the bus to Ringve.  We had a nice, late lunch there – then toured the museum.  Here is the story:  a rich business man, that wanted to be a professional musician, married a Russian woman, that carried on his wish to create a music museum after his death.  Does that make grammatical sense?  The farm, Ringve, is now a botanical garden and the house and barn have a collection of musical instruments that must rival any collection, anywhere.   No interior pictures allowed, but even our boys (and girl) were impressed. 

We met Stein at 5:30 and he took us to his home.  Randi, Heide and Hildegunn prepared far more than “coffee and cake”.  We had a wonderful family time together – figuring out just how were are related.  I marvel at how hospitable this family has been over the years.  They have hosted – that I know of and remember – first Pearl and Grandma Marie, in 1961.  Then Marilyn visited in 1970 – we weren’t even married (or engaged) yet.  My mom, Lillian made two pilgrimages.  My oldest son, Rolf, even visited in 1998. I know that Jim, Carol and Marion, Cec and Harold, probably Andrea, Linda and Sara and Dick, Carol and at least Eric Sundholm have been here, and of course, most recently Bud, Susan, Vicky and  – were there others??? 

Now for my commentary (what is the rest of this monologue?).   When Grandma Marie and Pearl came home in 1961, they commented how Arne’s son Stein, reminded them of me.  I looked at his picture and thought nothing of it.  When Marilyn visited she said he was as crazy as I was (what does that mean?)  out of time for now...go back a few days for more and I will add more to this commentary - when we get to the land of the midnight sun, Lofoten and Verteralen - we leave at 6 am and will make it in one day.................I trust.  Praise the Lord again for watching out for us!!

Comments

[Sharon Ebelt]

Ralph & Marilyn:

It is so fun to follow you guys on your family adventure and it brings back so many memories - memories that have long been forgotten - of our trip. Oh what fun we had!!
Take lots of pictures - and Cook, we HAVE to get together when you get back.

Have a great time!!

[Patrice Holberg]

Hi Ralph & family. . .

School is out !! Brian got you all checked out.

I hope to spend some time catching up with reading your daily journal. I have read a few here and there and I am impressed with your committment to sharing your trip through words and photos.

Did you see any Holbergs??

Patrice (& Rich)