Going to Cape North, Norway

Motorcycle-tripF
Photos and text by Corey Amaro:

Last summer French Husband and I rode our motorcycle around Europe. We covered 3000 some miles in three weeks. Milano, Admont, Prague, Budapest, Motovun….

Last summer I wrote about our ride on my blog, every inch of the way to be exact, every little nothing we had packed, and were we stayed.

Last summer Lieselotte (Lieselotte reads my blog,) invited us to their home in Austria when they learned about our adventure. We did not know Lieselotte, but that didn't stop us from going.

I sang the Sound of Music the entire way. Plus I ate enough Austrian cakes to make Heidi jealous… and Heidi has never felt jealous her entire life, that dimple cuteness that she is.

Yann-and-Francis

This summer, as in today, French Husband and Francis (a friend from our village) are riding to Austria to meet up with Lieselotte's husband Dieter. (You see where blogging can take you! You meet people, then your husband's meet the people you meet, then the husbands plan a vacation without you!)

The three of them, sans femmes (without us women folk), are going to ride by the seat of their pants to Cape North… and back… a mere 7000 plus miles in two weeks.

Rearview-mirror

Questions you might ask:

1) Are they mad? Are they going to start a blog too?

Yes. Yes.

2) Why didn't you go?

They told me that they were not stopping for anything: No Heidi cakes, no photo-opts, no glass of wine overlooking the view, no toilet breaks… and that they plan to ride in the rain, and sleep under the stars.


3) Norwegian summers… the midnight sun?


This morning French Husband woke up late, then he rushed around like he hadn't planned anything. When he arrived at the meeting point he said to Francis, "I forgot my sleeping eye mask!!"

Francis, a natural born teaser reassured him, "Don't worry I'll throw my underwear over your eyes tonight."

4) Did you want to go?

I did. But camping even if it rains is what they plan to do… and I did not want to do that.

And it is a boy thing and I am missing a thing.

A few hours ago French Husband called… I thought he was going to tell me, "Hey Honey, I love you, sorry I was so rushed this morning."

But no. No no no, not at all… he calls to ask he I could reserve the hotel on the other side of Stelvio pass.

"What no camping???" I asked.

"It is cheaper than camping." He offered as if I would buy that line.

Like a good wife, I reserved the hotel. Though I told the hotel manager, "…Could you please add a handful of Heidi-jealous-cake-crumbs between the sheets?" You see I am nice like that.

Day One: France to Trafoi, Italy via Stelvio pass.





Comments

40 responses to “Going to Cape North, Norway”

  1. “…and I am missing a thing.” Pardon me while I pee my pants laughing…

  2. what a hoot… and so husband like… love Linda

  3. I hope you reserved the room with the outhouse! *giggles*

  4. I bet they have a wonderful time! Sounds like camping is already going by the wayside!

  5. Yep… sounds like a “man trip” to me. Point A to Point B as fast as you can, then come back. It was men who invented super highways… It took YEARS of pitching fits to get Himself to slow down enough to actually SEE where we were traveling!!

  6. OMG! I loved the ride through the Pass…what a rush. Did you film that last year on your journey?

  7. Me and Jackie…peeing our pants together over that funny line. You are such a hoot, Corey. Are they really doing a blog?? I want to read it!

  8. You are a good wife!!!!!!!!!

  9. I am soooooo envious!

  10. Wow that sounds like such a great trip! But I agree about the camping, unless they have really good comfy equipment. I spent 14 days camping in the Scottish Highlands with nothing between me and the ground but a thin plastic sheet…NOT fun!! When we got to the Isle of Skye and discovered camping was not allowed, boy was I thrilled!! A B & B for the night, a dream come true.
    Well boys will be boys Corey, but I have to laugh that a guy who is rugged enough to camp needs a “sleep mask.”

  11. Marie-Noëlle

    Delicious crumbling post !!!

  12. The REAL question is:
    Corey, what will YOU be doing while the guys are gone? Resting up? Brocanting like a fiend? Getting started writing your book (hint, hint)?

  13. AMAZING .. so great what blogging has done for lots and lots of people.. Mine took me to Paris, where I met lots of lovely people.
    This actually brought tears to my eyes. That your husband as so much adventure in him, not just with you, but with men friends. My husband is working so hard we have time for nothing.. maybe once a year but that is it.
    Very sad .. but true..!

  14. Lucy Rogers

    I hope he has fun. I hope you have more fun..

  15. Living life seperate make living life together so much more interesting.

  16. Roughing it is a noble quest, but I would vastly prefer your Heidi-cake/glass of wine/bathroom break approach. And the Easy Riders already gave in to the appeal of a hotel room. I don’t blame them.

  17. Wow, can’t wait to see that blog!

  18. Lorelei Lane

    “…I am missing a thing.” Hilarious. I can’t wait to read what antics you and Annie are up to the next couple of weeks. Rose jelly, perhaps. Brocante after brocante, day after day. Will you cook? Or will you buy fresh bread and cheese and a sweet?

  19. you are SO FUNNY! I just love reading your blog! Hope you enjoy some “me time” while French Husband is away!
    Blessings!

  20. You sure know how to live! 7000 miles for FH, uninterrupted brocanting for you. Such a deal!

  21. Hillary

    My Butt is hurting just thinking about all the riding with out any stopping.
    Oh “…and I am missing a thing.” To funny Girl, I’m thinking that you might not be missing to much on this trip. Just think of all the pictures they will NOT take. Such a shame.

  22. Wow…I am jealous! Wish I were on that road trip…or maybe you and I with them. I have a motorcycle that I have not ridden in 2 years. It has 1400 miles on it. I sure loved it when I lived in Utah and we took off all the time on road trips. He on a Ducati, and me on my Suzuki 800.
    Miss that…….but sure as H don’t miss him!!

  23. Lieselotte

    ” …then the husbands plan a vacation without you!” I´m glad you mentioned that, Corey, as it is a very sore point for me, when your husband lets you know that after the North Cape he won´t feel like travelling anywhere else, meaning I am supposed to spend a nine weeks holiday at home, doing the dusting ! Hugs, Lieselotte

  24. karina westfall

    Corey, I really enjoyed reading your blog.
    So you are going to have plenty of time to keep posting your interesting stories of life in France.
    Karina

  25. I’ll say it again, you are hilarious! But I’ve got to tell you, I think French Husband stooped you on the camping vs hotel part. He is too funny.
    You may be missing a thing but you’ve got the looks and talent, lady!!
    I can’t stop laughing at this post….thank you, I so needed to laugh.

  26. Victoria Ramos

    wait…were is the line in the road that seperates the two sides….on the video??? egads, looks scary! you are a brave soul – but the view looked beautiful. Sounds like FH will have a ball. I have been told by other European folks that Americans work too hard and don’t vacation enough — and from reading your posts I think I know agree with them!!! We need to enjoy life more — or at least I do!!! Happy Antiquing/Brocanting in his absence!

  27. Cory, this made me laugh and laugh.

  28. oops, bad typo! I meant Corey, this made me laugh and laugh. On the other side of the world you are my good morning friend to cry and laugh with.

  29. Hahahahahahahaha That story really made my day!
    those *boys* ( said while shaking head and smiling)

  30. Thank you for writing a post that made me smile and laugh and not weep over my 4 year old son, who will one day grow up and leave me;)

  31. gloria p

    Wait…they are going from France to Norway via ITALY? Did they forget to pack a GPS or at least a road map?
    _____________________________
    Hello Gloria
    We live in the south of France, and they’re going to Admont Austria to meet Dieter. Riding through Italy is a given.
    C

  32. Corey doll I will come stay with you! Shopping till we drop& lots of wine- who needs boys!

  33. oy, vey, it is an unfair world when you are ‘missing a thing’ and french husband (dearest) is sleeping out with some guy’s underwear hanging from his (cyranose?).
    well, no cakes, and the rain might just be just desserts!
    m
    °°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
    Hi M,
    LOL that is well said!
    C

  34. jend’isère

    Geography lesson: Imagine a puzzle piece the shape of Sweden, remove and realign its north at the southern end of Sweden. That southern piece would be the same lattitude of Sicily. Confused you, but just to say that most are unaware of the vastness of northern Europe…and North Cape is even further up there.
    Men out, women keeping the fort, kids and Internet connections…. That is why Norwegian women have traditionally been present in government, for their strong community role as the men were off to sea or hunt.

  35. So, the whole point of the trip is the ride.
    They can’t stop to see much if they plan to make that many miles in two weeks. Something only a guy would want to do.
    ~elaine~

  36. Which way are the guys taking in Scandinavia? I mean, if they’re going to take the Finnish route, I could stand at the roadside and wave “happy journey” when they’re driving by.
    Hope they’ve got mosquito repellent with them when camping under the stars up here in the North…

  37. Judy Lane

    Enjoyed the pictures yesterday-love adventurous people! I have followed your blog for several months. Would love to visit France some day!
    I visited the tip of South America (on a
    cruise ship) Not as adventurous as French
    Husband)! Anyway, the photos of extreme
    north reminded me of being there at the extreme south!

  38. Debra P.

    C – can’t wait to read their blog . . .could never be as funny as you. thanks for the laugh!
    let us know how you are spending your days.
    xo

  39. You know, North Cape is a must for every bikers, and the dream of my life. So I guess I will read every entry on FH blog with lot of envy….as soon as I get back from my summer bike trip to Germany….

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