The Hill from H*LL

Today was an experience. Nordic Combined was going to start at 10am. I thought if I caught the 8:15am bus I should get there with some time to hike up to the competition site. I never considered that a Saturday would be worse than a Friday afternoon. Or that maybe the fact that nordic combined, women's cross country and men's jumping were all going on today. I made it to the train in reasonable time. Unfortunately, when I got there I faced a wall of people that was not moving. Train after train came into the station and left empty if it wasn't going to Holmenkolen or was so full when it came into the station no one could get on it. I eventually texted Hanne and said that I wished I knew more about the area so I could figure out a plan b. She called me a few minutes later and said that there were issues with the train and to walk outside the station where I should be able to find a bus. Within 15 minutes I was on my way up to Nordic Combined. I double checked with a teenage girl and her mother to make sure I was in the right spot. They told me I was and we chatted while we waited. The teenager reminded me very strongly of a former U.S. Alpine skier named Kaylin Richardson. And just like Kaylin she was very friendly and helpful.

Those inside the station did not seem to figure out that there was a bus option right outside. Despite that fact the bus ride was extremely packed. I squeezed myself between two sections of seats over a wheel well and rode up that way so I could leave more room in the aisle. When we got dropped off at a parking lot I wasn't completely sure where I was, but figured that following the crowd was a good plan. On the way out of the lot I realized the group waiting for more members were American. Turns out they were a high school nordic team from the Boston area. They came over for their winter break and took advantage of World Championships being here to attend an event. We all hiked up the hill together. Eventually we came to the spot where the train lets you out and I realized how far we still had to go but we made it.

At the top it was not long before I realized that the weather was as bad or worse than the day before. I'm still not convince there is a ski jump there but those athletes keep coming from somewhere. When I walked in I saw a couple of people in our team jackets so I yelled to Tara. I had brought socks for the head coach to give some of our service guys and wanted to get them delivered. I left a note in the bag that said Toni told me that DJ would owe me a drink for delivering them. We'll see what happens with that. Tara informed me that our guys had not jumped and gave me their approximate start #'s. No sooner had I walked around to find a spot that three of our guys jumped right in a row. They did okay but not great. In fact, watching some of the guys I kept thinking the girls jumped just as far. Fortunately, Bryan Fletcher had a great jump and was sitting in 10th before the Cross Country portion. I had found Bryan and Taylor Fletcher's mom and stepdad in the crowd. I had met them the night before when they came almost straight from the airport to cheer on the women jumpers.

After the jumping we headed for cross country which was on the other side. This is when I met the hill from h*ll. I'm pretty sure it rivaled the hill we walked up at the Torino Olympics. In fact, if I can walk tomorrow I'll be impressed. It did switcheback. And since there was such a crowd headed that way the pace was slow which helped my knee. We ran into the high school team again. They were extremely impressed to be walking with Bryan and Taylor's mom. At one point we came around a turn and all I could see was people going straight up the hill. It definitely scared me a bit. My knee can take a lot now but that was going to be pushing my luck. Fortunately, it turned out those were just the crazy people who decided to take the "short cut" route. We had the option of another switchback. I took that option. Eventually we reached the top but still had to find a place to watch the race. That took so long that we only saw the last couple of cross country girls go by us. And then it was over and we had a new chance to find a spot for the nordic combined race. I was disappointed to miss an opportunity to cheer on our girls, especially Liz Stephen. Finding a location to watch became a whole new adventure but eventually we found ourselves on a fence that overlooked two sections coming and going. We could see the back half of the stands too. And at one point when the fog lifted for a brief moment we could see more of the stadium, and then it was gone again. The men were warming up and the girls were cooling down while we were standing there. A few times we saw some of the U.S. men go by. I kept hoping the U.S. women would go by on their cool down. Just so I could say I saw them even though I missed the race. Eventually an American uniform came our direction so I just started yelling, "USA, USA, USA!" I'm pretty sure it was one of the two girls I couldn't have identified that qualified. But then I looked up and coming our direction was Liz. So I started yelling for her. No idea if she heard me, but at least I got to see her go by. Turns out our girls finished 24th- Liz Stephen, 25th- Holly Brooks, 28th- Jessica Diggins, 43rd- Morgan Arritola.

With all the fog it is hard to know what is going on. So we realized the race had started when the first guy went by us on the lower section. We started counting so we could find our guys. No one ever did catch the guy in first. But it was quite a race with our boys. Bryan started 10th, Todd started 16th, Billy was 29th, Johnny maybe 34th and Taylor was 39th. We cheered as loud as we could. And I took pictures the best I could, but very few are actually good. In the end our boys finished 7th- Billy, 8th- Todd, 19th- Johnny, 22nd- Bryan and 26th- Taylor. A good day for moving up. Hopefully they will recover and be ready to kick some butt in the team event on Monday. I would really love to see them win a medal after performances like today.

I thought I picked a Fletcher, but this might be Johnny

The white hat is definitely Todd

Johnny again? (It was a confusing day)

Once it was over the next adventure, getting home, began. It was slow going working our way back up and then down the hill. We did make a brief detour to see the Holmenkolen Chapel which is beautiful. Then it was down we went. According to Penny and Fred my limp got worse as we went. Which is not good since I've been trying not to limp. Along the way two students asked me if I was from America and then proceeded to give me a high five. Turns out they are also Americans on exchange in Norway. From their attire you would never have guessed it. I had been confused when I first walked by them and heard their english but saw their clothing. Guess they were just trying to fit in. After what seemed like forever we reached the bottom near the train station. At which point we ran up against that human wall again. Penny asked someone about the wait while I asked someone about the option to get a bus. I was told there were no busses, just the train. She was told it would be over an hour of waiting for the train, but we could walk to the center of Oslo in an hour. With those options we decided to walk. I texted Hanne to let her know and off we went. At one point Hanne texted telling me to let her know when we got close on the train since they were in town. I sent her back a message letting her know we were literally walking so it might take awhile. When she called we had only reached the lower drop off point for the lower jump. She told us to keep going and she would see how far they could drive up to meet us. At one point we were optimistic that a bus was an option. But then we were disappointed again and kept walking. I was warm enough during this whole process, just annoyed because my boots had become so wet that my feet sloshed. I have never enjoyed it when my feet sloshed in my shoes (made for long spring soccer seasons). We finally reached a lower train stop that also had a coffee shop. Our theory was that we could get something hot to drink, check in with Hanne and see if we could squeeze onto a train coming down. Thankfully Hanne called as the 3rd train we would never have been able to fit on came by. She told us they were almost to us and to wait at the street. I have never been so thankful to see two people in my life! They picked up all three of us and took Penny and Fred to their lodging. That warm car with Hanne and Bjornar was the most beautiful sight of my trip so far. First Hanne saved me so I could get to the event, and then Hanne and Bjornar saved us returning from the event.

Back at their condo we hung out for awhile, ate some lunch and I tried to dry out. Eventually a run to the grocery store was in order. I think the closest way to describe their big grocery would be similar to a super Target or Walmart. It has some of everything. Although I think it is a bit more mixed together than our stores. I decided that I wanted to make them something since they have done so much for me. So walking through the store I was trying to remember what is in Derby Pie since it is about the only thing I can successfully make. We managed to find chocolate chips, opted for walnuts instead of pecans and bought some dough for pie crust. The rest Hanne said she had at home. Dinner tonight was steak on the grill, mashed potatoes and cooked tomatoes using the garlic oil that I brought them. It was all delicious! Then Hanne and I set to work figuring out how to make Derby pie with their temps and measuring cups. Fortunately, she found one that had our measurements on one side so I was able to figure it out. When I opened the bag of chips I realized they are much bigger than ours. But its chocolate and going to melt somewhat so I just went with it. They also have different measurements on their stick of butter so we were guessing and melting. We had a bit more melted butter than we needed, but definitely got what was required. I put it all together and put it into the pie crust Hanne had created. I tasted some of the mix in the bowl and it tasted like what I am used to. It turned golden like I am used to, but it did a few things I did not expect. Hanne seems to think that despite it's looks the taste will be great. So tomorrow night we will find out. I joked that I needed to take a picture of the pie, but I don't think I'll be sharing it with mom and Amber unless it really does taste great. The family already has enough jokes about my cooking abilities.

Tomorrow is the Men's 30km Pursuit. So tempted to skip it after today's adventures. But I have been reassured that it should be partly sunny and the Norwegians will be out in full force for this event. I guess I can't come all this way and miss that experience. So I will be out there cheering on Kris Freeman, Lars Flora, Tad Elliott and Noah Hoffman (one of my rookies). Go USA!