Stavanger, Norway
Located on the Stavanger Peninsula in Southwest Norway, Stavanger counts its official founding year as 1125, the year Stavanger cathedral was completed (pictured above). The city owes its charm to its 17th-18th century wooden houses and their wonderfully bright colors. Steep stone streets, beautiful views of the harbor, and lively cafes make Stavanger an unexpected delight for any visitor. Fun fact: do not be fooled by the sunshine and always pack for chilly weather! My optimistic packing (or lack thereof) had me running a 6K in a 50-degree weather in a tank top and shorts and not much else... Another fun fact? Aim to visit the city around June 22nd, the longest day of the year. The Norwegians celebrate the (almost) white night with bonfires and a lot of good beer!
So... Ha det! and until my next visit to Norway, when I am determined to hike the Prekestolen and ski some beautiful Norwegian slopes!
A few months back, a co-worker of mine convinced me to join my company's Spartan Race team. He didn't talk it up much: he mentioned it's a long-ish run with a few fun obstacles. You know, no big deal. Something someone who runs as much as me should complete more than easily (read, you don't really need to train for it). Ha ha ha.