Pictures and Stories About Bicycle Tour Adventures

Sigtuna (Preserved Medieval Town Center), Morning

Above Left: By the strangest coincidence, this is the same exact same bridge that we pedaled over, 10 days ago, on Day 2 of our Göta Kanal Bicycle Tour.

Above Right: Stora Gatan (Main Street), Sigtuna, Sweden.

It is rare for old towns and villages to exist in a preserved state in our current time mainly because most old towns were made of wood and over time most old towns have suffered through at least one large destructive fire.

Sigtuna is Sweden's oldest city, founded in 980 CE. Sigtuna is referenced in old Nordic Sagas and other Medieval References or Correspondences. Sigtuna has some Celtic artifacts about the neighborhood and many an old grave stone has Celtic symbols and/or Viking Rune Writing.

Above: Citroën 2CV, 1955(?); Citroën was a French manufacturer whose company was saved by a guy named Michelin.

On the Road Again

Above Left: Lunch.

Above Right: Yes, they have these in Sweden too.

Uppsala, After Noon

Uppsala was the 'Pagan' (Celtic) religious center of Sweden prior to the Christian movement and it became the Catholic Archdiocese in 1164. Today, Uppsala is a College Town and Uppsala University, its oldest, was founded in 1477.

Above Left: We are parked just south of the Stora Target and Rådhus on the Fyriån River - The College Student center of Uppsala. Everywhere, there is Bicycles, Cyclists and Bike Parking.

Above Right: Bicycles, Cyclists and Bike Parking.

Above: Uppsala Domkyrka (it is huge brick church).

Above Left: Uppsala Domkyrka Main Entrance.

Above Right: Runestone on Church Property.*

* The church would never allow pagan graves or attributes on their property. Remember that 'Pagan' just means Non-Christian. All of these Runestones are Christian Epitaphs written in the old language (Viking/Celtic Runes).

Inside Uppsala Domkyrka

Above: Royal Tomb Inside Uppsala Domkyrka - Only Kings and Queens have Crowns.

Above Left: Another Queen's Tomb, also note that this is the first time that the three crown symbol has appeared (Denmark-Sweden-Finland).

Above Right: King (Rex) Johannes III of Sveciae.

Above Left: Saint Fricvs, Rex (King), Martyr.

Above Right: Katharina Regina.

Above Right: Abstract World Globe (and prayer candles).

Above: Christian Runestones on the Uppsala Domkyrka property.

Above Left: Uppsala street near the Fyriån River.

Above Right: Old Uppsala City Well (it's functional).

Above Left: Uppsala's Fyriån River.

Above Right: Terry Struck in Uppsala, Sweden.

Carolus (Carl) Linnaeus' Home and Garden
Carl Linnaeus Created of the Modern Scheme for Binomial Nomenclature used in Bio-Science

Above Left: Carolus (Carl) Linnaeus is the figure on the 100 Kronor Bill and the Linnaea Borealis is pictured on the backside of the same Bill.

Above Right: Statue of the younger Carl Linnaeus discovering the Linnaea Borealis in northern Sweden (for which he named for himself). He Invented the Modern Scheme for the Binomial Naming of Plants and Animals (Kingdom, Class, Order, Genus and Species). He was also wise enough to name some new and pretty plants for some royal ladies (this did not hurt his status as a university figure nor his funding).

Above Left: Linnaea Borealis, discovered by Carolus Linnaeus in Sami Country in way northern Sweden (aka Lapland).

Above Right: Picture across the main pool of Linnaeus' Home/Garden.

Above: An artist's rendering of the statue of Venus d'Milo with arms.

Above: Various Flowers from the Garden of Linnaeus.

Above Left: Linnaeus Home and work/office/studio.

Above Right: Students were frequently lectured at home.

Above Left: Portrait of Carolus Linnaeus.

Above Right: Portrait of Carolus Linnaeus' Father.

Above: Portrait of Carolus Linnaeus; it is the reverse portrait (seen in mirror - very clever) that is used in the 100 Kronor Note.

Above Left: Linnaeus, Teaching. It is noteworthy that Linnaeus was not a very good artist and that task was best left to others.

Above Right: Latin Translation/Meaning: "Find wonder in all things, even the most commonplace", it is a phrase with a deep religious basis but it sure fits Linnaeus' personality and work ethic.

Gamla Uppsala, Late Day
Gamla means Old, as in Ancient

Above: Known burial mounds of well statured people, Pre-Christian era, Pre-Viking era, and as well as can be determined, Pre-Celtic.

A couple of mounds have been investigated by archeologists but there does not seem to be a big hurry or need to immediately investigate the other mounds. This view is from the south (looking north).

Above Left: The display map's layout.

Above Right: Blow-up of the English text.

Above: Another view of the ancient burial mounds - This view is from the east (looking west).

Above Left: An excavation report with a tomb display graphic.

Above Right: A partial translation in English.

Above: There are about 250 grave mounds in this area and somewhere between 2-3,000 ancient graves below ground. The area has been a center for religion and spirituality as well as kingly administration before recorded history.

Brunnby Hotel and Evening Meal, Uppsala

Above Left: Cool Play Boat for kids at the playground for ht Gamla Uppsala Museum, unfortunately it was closed during our time to visit.

Above Right: The Brunnby Hotel/Hostel - Yes, we walked by it the first time.

Above Left: Our bedroom at the Brunnby Hotel/Hostel.

Above Right: Kind of a rare picture in Europe.

Above Left: We stopped at the Orienthus for some supplies and travel foods. The clerks were very helpful, all Middle Eastern in origin as were most the goods.

Above Right: Lamb was the big meat at the Orienthus.

Above: Flowers at our Dinner Table.

Above Left: Terry Struck, out on the town in Uppsala, Sweden.

Above Right: It is the Knife that is interesting; the base of the blade is rotated 90°s from the blade.

Above Left: Appetizers.

Above Right: Dinner.