Hanging it up in Hamburg

 Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Well, the pill minders are empty, the hair is turning gray and camper turn in day is today!  We have reached the end of our journey to Scandinavia.  We have about a 3 hour drive to get to Hamburg, but must have everything cleaned and emptied before arriving at the camper rental facility.

Leftovers were put in the kitchen for the benefit of other campers.   Boy was there a lot of stuff!

Jim did the final walk to empty the cartridge.

And then we were off!  The turn-in was an interesting process as each rv was inspected for cleaning, damage, etc.  We got off with a "free pass''...whew!

The challenge was the luggage...which would hardly fit in the bus storage compartments!  Big bags went first, and then some bags had to sit on the seats!

The bus driver was a bit grumpy, but our German speaking travelers helped get us through.

Then, the wait to get everyone into the hotel...

But, we made it, and had a wonderful farewell dinner, with lots of sharing of memories, wine, exchanging contact info and good wishes.

The three Jim's

The trip covered 4,633 kilometers (2,878 miles) 4 countries (Germany, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden) 4 different currencies, and lots of beautiful scenery and great experiences.

Some observations that we noted as we end the trip:  The roads were excellent; two-lane roads had little or no berm; Trucks must stay in the right lane on 2-lane roads, (and they obeyed!);  There were slow speed limits--highest was 130 km (80mph) but most were 100 (62mph) or 80 (50mph); the rv got about 21 miles per gallon; roundabouts were everywhere--one had seven spokes; there were lots of smokers and cigarette machines; cobblestone streets are normal; there were no pickup trucks-many cars towed a trailer; massive recycling with detailed instructions; mostly cashless; lots of candy and breads; lots of bikes and prams; each country has their own language but generally speak English; the cities were very clean and clear of litter; water was great, but you had to distinguish still from sparkling; open-faced sandwiches are a big thing, but not sure about what's on them!; road signs often need an explanation; speed cameras are plentiful, but few police cars on the roads; Restrooms are called water closets (WC) or toilettes; Electric vehicles are everywhere, even buses and trains; mass transit is available even in small towns; Scandinavians are very friendly and also curious about the US.

It was a great trip and a great experience with new friends and a new appreciation for this part of the world.  We will be glad to return home to our own pillows, and grateful for the opportunity to experience the Best of Scandinavia trip!   Until next time....