Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Final day in Karlstad

Today was our final day in Karlstad. We started off with a tour of Karlstad’s Fire and Rescue and 112 Center (equivalent to our 911). Have you ever seen a Volvo Fire Truck? We also got to take their boom into the air – If I recall correctly, it goes 30 meters (about 90 feet) up. Then the firefighter allowed us to take control and play with the controls. It was great fun, until Joe started rocking the basket. Needless to say, we all made it down to terra firma safely.

Following that, the fire truck taxied us (yes, we all piled into a Fire Truck) to the harbor for our rib boat tour of Lake Vänern. The best way I can describe a rib boat is that it is like one big jet ski with saddle seats. We flew across the water and had lots of zero-g time. It was an awesome experience. Then we had lunch in Kristinehamn, a town about 20 miles away, and saw a Picasso statue on the shore.

Even though it was a beautiful day, the water in the lake is cold so we had to wear these nifty red jumpsuits. I felt like Ralphie's brother from The Christmas Story.

Karlstad has been a lot of fun and again, we have met many great people. Tomorrow we’re off to Norway to celebrate their constitution day then we have a few days off. We’re staying at cabins so I don’t know what kind of internet access we will have.



The boom fire truck that we went up in.

A view from the top

32 Meters up!

Cassie, Henrik (our fireman guide) and Joe operating the bucket.


That would be Pete and Kristi down on the ground. I took this from the top level the boom was extended.


The team infront of our taxi to the harbor. From left to right -- Pete, Cassie, Kristi, Joe and Eric.

Here's our boat!

Like our fancy red jump suits? It was nice to have these on becuase the lake trip was a bit cold. Left to right: Cassie, Eric, Kristi, Joe, Peter (the boat captian) and Pete.


This is the best photo I had to show how fast we were going. Check out Pete's hair...


And, of course, our illustrious leader, Joe enjoying the ride



The Picasso Statue

No comments:

Counties We Are Visiting

Counties We Are Visiting
We will visit the three counties west of Stockholm