🐾 Road Trip with a Dog in Norway, Days 4 and 5: Valdresfjellet Again

❄️ Back Over Valdresfjellet

After driving the Atlantic Road, we decided to head back over Valdresfjellet to spend another night outdoors. Finding a rest area wasn't easy, we drove back and forth several times because camper vans and cars were parked everywhere. Finally, we found a quiet spot where we could be alone. <3

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Arrive earlier in the afternoon to secure a good rest stop, many popular ones fill up after 6 PM.

• Look for spots near a small stream or river, it's convenient for both water and quick washing.

• Download offline maps before heading into the mountains since cell service can be spotty.

💤 A Freezing Cold Night in the Mountains

Oh my gosh, it was freezing, so much colder than the first night. I wore merino wool, regular pants and a sweater, slept in my sleeping bag with a blanket under and over me. Gizmo had a wool blanket underneath and a regular blanket on top, but even then it was bitterly cold.

We both only got a few hours of sleep. When I woke up, I had pulled all the blankets onto myself, leaving Gizmo shivering. Poor guy. I wrapped him up properly, and he wanted some cuddles first, so we shared the blankets and dozed a little more before he returned to his own bed.

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Add extra warmth with an emergency blanket or heat pack inside your sleeping bag.

• Bring a sleeping bag rated for colder temperatures than you expect, mountain weather can be unpredictable.

• Always pack a thick blanket specifically for your dog, they can get surprisingly cold even with fur.

🌄 The Morning After

Gizmo was still exhausted and slept in a bit longer, snug in his bed. Sleeping in new and unfamiliar places isn't easy, especially when the temperature drops so much at night.

We took a short walk to stretch our legs and had a quick breakfast outside. Afterwards, we started Googling for a new place to stay. After a few hours on the road, we finally found our next overnight stop…

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Prepare breakfast the night before so you don't have to fumble with gear in the cold morning air.

• Check mountain weather forecasts, temperatures can swing wildly between day and night.

• Always have a backup plan for where to stay in case your first choice is full.

🌟 Summary

A freezing but beautiful night on Valdresfjellet. Even with frost and little sleep, waking up to that view and silence was magical. Gizmo was such a trooper, but both of us would definitely prefer slightly warmer nights! It's a good reminder to always be ready for the mountain's unpredictable weather.