Day 8: Strömsund to Rättvik

Click here to enlarge this panorama or see an ultra high-resolution version.

A small restored 12th-century church on Frösön island first caught my eye for its 18th-century wooden bell tower, but I ended up fascinated by this wooden headstone — the only in the graveyard. You'll have to zoom in on the ultra high-resolution version to be able to read the inscription. It says:

Bonden [the farmer]
Sundvis Israelsson
Mjälle [nearby village]
1808 + 1875

h.h. Margeth Jonsdotter
1916 + 1896

There is something really pleasing about the curves in the wood and the 5-pointed star (neither a cross nor a star of David, intriguingly) — Sundvis and Margeth were of lowly means perhaps but not without individuality.

There were many more forests to drive through during the afternoon. At one point I went walking through some old-growth forest near a lake looking for some interesting lichens, mosses and mushrooms to photograph when I realized I was actually walking on a swamp, with the roots of the trees supporting a web of woven green spread between boulders, thick enough to support me. Still, I started hopping from rock to rock — and the sun never did come out for a good shot. But there is plenty of forest left to try with next time.

By the way, I take requests:-) I'll be heading to Falun next, then to the coast above Göteborg, then down to Malmö and up to Orrefors, Öland and Vättern lake (that's the plan, at least). So if you know of a spot I shouldn't miss, do let me know via the comments.

 [Update: Amazingly, Googling Sundvis's name brings up a link to the Swedish national archives' online database, where his will is referenced.]

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