Leaving Rokland, we didn’t expect to be greeted by snow — but about twenty minutes into our drive toward Trondheim, the rain turned to flurries, and soon the world outside was blanketed in white. The road, the trees, the rooftops of scattered farmhouses — all dusted with powder. It was beautiful and peaceful, like driving through a dream, though admittedly a little anxiety-inducing at times. Norway in snow is something else entirely — quiet, pristine, cinematic. We even spotted a family of reindeer grazing along the roadside, their silhouettes soft against the snow-covered grass. For a moment, it almost felt like Christmas. Somewhere along the drive, we crossed the Arctic Circle once more — a fitting farewell to the northernmost part of our journey.

As we continued south, the snow slowly melted away and was replaced by the familiar drizzle we’ve come to associate with Norway. The scenery remained jaw-dropping — the kind of beauty that forces you to stop mid-sentence just to take it all in. Trees in every imaginable shade of yellow and orange painted the hillsides, while snow-capped peaks shimmered in the distance. Waterfalls poured down cliffs like silver threads, and fjords cut dramatically into the land, mirroring the moody skies above. Casey and I made a game of spotting waterfalls — a game I’m proud to say I won. Some were massive, tumbling down the mountainsides in roaring cascades, while others were small, shy streams that trickled gently through the rocks. The endless scenery and our laughter-filled competition made the nine-hour drive to Trondheim feel far shorter than it should have.

Trondheim – Forever a Special Place

We arrived in Trondheim around dinner time and made our way to Trondheim Microbrewery, a cozy spot that smelled like hops, roasted pork, and pure contentment. The food was far from traditional Norwegian fare — I had pork quesadillas, Casey had pork wings, and we shared a plate of “dirty fries” smothered in chili con carne, cheese, and jalapeños. After weeks of gas station hot dogs and hotel snacks, this meal was pure joy.

The next morning, we explored the city on foot. Trondheim is one of Norway’s oldest and most charming cities — once the country’s capital and home to the stunning Nidaros Cathedral, the northernmost medieval cathedral in the world. The city sits gracefully on the Nidelva River, with colorful wooden warehouses lining its banks like a watercolor painting come to life. We helped a couple take photos by the bridge, then grabbed lunch at PaoPao Bao, where I had the Hot and Sour Ramen and Casey went for “Hell’s Ramen” (because he can’t resist a challenge). Both dishes were incredible, and the warmth was welcome after a chilly morning. Later, we stopped at a café for cappuccinos and cinnamon rolls — a small but glorious break from gas-station coffee.

That evening, we decided to do something we hadn’t done in months — go to the movies. We chose The Black Phone 2 and arrived early with our drinks and popcorn in hand… except, as it turned out, we were at the wrong theater. Not just the wrong screen — the wrong building entirely. With only 14 minutes until showtime, we sprinted through the streets of Trondheim, popcorn and sodas in hand, and miraculously arrived at the right place in just 13 minutes. We collapsed onto a comfy couch, ordered a bottle of wine, and laughed at the chaos. Sadly, the movie didn’t hold up. After 45 minutes, we decided to call it — our first time ever walking out of a film in 18 years together.

But the night was far from over. We stopped for a drink at a nearby bar where the death metal music nearly scared us back into the street, then ended up at a smaller club near our apartment. The crowd was thin at first, but a few drinks (and a few shots) later, we were befriended by a local celebrating his birthday — and before I knew it, I was up on stage singing Dancing Queen with him. I can’t say we were good, but I can say we were enthusiastic. We stumbled home around 2:30 a.m., laughing the entire way. The next morning, we were supposed to drive seven hours to Sogndal… but we couldn’t bring ourselves to leave. Instead, we extended our stay another day — sleeping in, cuddled up, reminiscing about our new Trondheim memories. This city has a way of getting under your skin, and we’ll never forget it. “Kos.”

🏔️ The Road to Sogndal: Heights, Fjords, and Heart-Stopping Beauty

When we did finally leave, the drive from Trondheim to Sogndal turned out to be one of the most stunning of the entire trip. We climbed to heights of over 1,300 meters, winding through narrow mountain roads with snow still dusting the peaks and valleys below. The sun dipped low between the mountains, casting a golden glow over the landscape as waterfalls poured from sheer cliffs and rivers shimmered like glass. Every turn revealed something new — a lake so still it looked frozen in time, a tiny red cabin perched impossibly high on a ridge, or a lone sheep blocking the road just long enough to remind us to slow down and take it all in.

Sogndal itself, tucked along the edge of the Sogndalsfjord, was small but peaceful. We grabbed pizza for dinner and started watching Baby Reindeer — only two episodes in and already deeply unsettled but intrigued. After just 14 hours in town, we hit the road again, this time for Karlstad, Sweden — but not before making a quick detour to Oslo Airport to drop off our luggage for safekeeping. We’d be flying out from there in a few days and couldn’t bear the thought of lugging all our bags back and forth.

🧳 3,500 Kilometers Later: A Road Well Traveled

The evening drive to Karlstad was uneventful — mostly darkness and rain — but when we arrived, the city felt warm and welcoming. We checked into our hotel, grabbed dinner, and took a short nighttime walk through the empty streets. The city center, with its mix of shops and restaurants, felt vibrant even after hours. I could see myself returning someday, maybe even staying awhile.

The next morning, Casey handled the car return while I enjoyed a rare morning to sleep in. After a quick bite, we headed to the train station — only to find that our train had a mechanical issue and was delayed 75 minutes. So, naturally, we did what any tired travelers would do: we found a pub across the street and had a few pints. Once onboard, we settled into our seats for the three-hour train to Oslo. It was quiet, scenic, and relaxing — exactly what we needed after driving over 3,500 kilometers across Sweden and Norway (about 3,000 of which I drove myself, by choice — for everyone’s safety).

When we arrived in Oslo, we took a short train to the airport and checked into the Radisson Red, conveniently located just 330 steps from the terminal (a fact proudly displayed every 20 steps of the way). We had dinner and drinks at the hotel and made plans to explore Oslo the next morning… except the weather had other plans. Rain poured down nonstop, so we decided to stay in, rest, and get ready for our early morning flight. Lunch was at Peppe’s Pizza — a beloved Norwegian chain, though ironically we didn’t order pizza. I had a chicken quesadilla, Casey had a chicken sandwich, and we learned later that ordering anything but pizza there is basically sacrilege. Still, it was a nice meal and a quiet way to end our Scandinavian adventure.

✈️ The Final Stop: Oslo Airport Adventures

Tomorrow morning, we fly home — 6:05 a.m. out of Oslo, connecting through Paris and JFK before finally landing in Charlotte. From there, it’s a whirlwind few months ahead: a Halloween party (or two), a stop at Universal’s new Epic Universe, a cruise departing from Miami, some much-needed downtime in Atlanta, a 10-day getaway to Curaçao, and finally the holidays in North Carolina. Then, on January 6th, the next chapter begins — Africa.

🖤 Reflections on Five Months Abroad

These last five months exploring nearly a dozen countries together have been nothing short of extraordinary. We’ve shared countless unforgettable moments, navigated the highs and lows of being together 24/7, made new friends, indulged in a few splurges, and most importantly — learned to live fully, intentionally, and without regret. Leaving behind our careers, our home, and the life we thought we were supposed to live has been the second-best decision we’ve ever made — the first was marrying each other.

Here’s to the roads that brought us here, the love that carried us through, and the adventures still waiting to be found.

With love,
Brandon & Casey