Rattvik
Rattvik is a town about 150 miles northwest of Stockholm located on Lake Siljan (pronounced Sil-yan) Also note that the Swedes pronounce their "j's" as "y's) hence my new friend known as Yamie. Yamie is living with two roommates who are Dartmouth grads, Dan Godfried and some other Dartmouth grad. He is getting the full small-town Sweden experience and has been also able to venture into Stockholm which the two of us will do in a couple of days.
Our first day, the three of us,
Yamie, Dan and myself, took a long and sweaty bike ride up to the top of a nearby
lookout called Vida Blick, which in Swedish means "tap-tap the
two." Here are a couple of pictures from that day. (click on picture for
more detail.)
This is a view of the lake and of Rattvik from the top of the lookout that is
in this group of pictures.
There was an incredible view from the top of the lookout. I also saw a
street named after our family.
Yamie knows how to have fun!!! Then last, up top
Day 2 Rattvik
Yamie
and I headed out for the Bjorn Parken, aka "Bear Park." We made
it out to the Bjorn parken and unfortunately found out that is was a souped-up
zoo. We had this grandiose idea that it would be like a Swedish safari
where we would trek through the mountains with bears left and right, knawing
on the bumper. Unfortunately, we experience caged-in, hungry bjorns and
deodorant less Europeans. A couple of pictures
"Ooh Yamie look, Bjorns!"
On the way home, we stopped at the famous Dala Horse which the area is famous
for because it is here that they make these wooden horses. 
Then to top off the day, we ventured to the Rattvik Rodelbana which was awesome.
It was a roller slide which was pulled to the top of the mountain by a ski lift.
Last but not least, Yamie is coaching a little league team and had me umpire a game that day behind the plate. I had a great time. I'm not sure what the young Swedish kids thought of me after ringing up any kid who took a third strike within a foot and a half of the plate. Anyway, Yames was the infield ump and we would joke, giving subtle signs back and forth to each other for the duration of the game. In fact, some pitcher balked in the middle of the pitch when he was confused to what the "tap-tap" sign was that I was giving to Mac. We had a field day with that after the game.
