Östersjön

We fought off the sun until around 10 this morning, but we had to get up eventually.  Then it was breakfast time and a decision had to be made about what to do with the rest of the daylight we had. 

The family decided it was a good day for boating, and they were very right.  We made the hour long drive to Fårosund Marina (we don't remember much of that since we were all passed out in the back), readied the boat and headed out on to Östersjön (the Baltic Sea aka "East Lake). It was an incredible day to be out and I didn't have to get into the water so I was happy. 

At the marina

We were already as far north as you could get just by car, so we hopped on the boat and turned east along the coast of Gotland for a small harbor off of Bungenäs - a neat little area that used to be a limestone mining fabrik and concrete producer.

Harbor at Bungenäs

We ate at the restaurant there right at the base of the two remaining kilns from long ago.  Today was the first day it opened for the summer.  So many things here are only in the summer.  It's crazy to me. 

The restaurang

Since we were there at middag, we missed the lunch menu (only by 30 mins...bummer) and had a much smaller selection of dishes to choose from.  I ordered a well presented salmon dish, that came with seaweed salad. I'm happy to say that I actually really enjoyed the seaweed.  I wasn't sure how that would be. 

Laxsashimi

After lunch we walked around the area and enjoyed the scenery while Bobbo and Vanessa went for groceries and gas. 

The hotel where you can get a room and stay. 

Waiting for the boat with Anja and looking at the blue and yellow flowers :)

Once they got back we loaded up and headed to a sweet little island called Fjaugen where we met up with two other families and cooked out by the sea. 

The spread at Fjaugen

Bobbo and the other guys worked the grill while Vanessa helped get the salad and watermelon and potato salad prepared. Vendela and I mostly just got in the way :) 

Grilling out :) 

After we had eaten our fill and cleaned up the island, it was time to start the journey home.  We watched an incredible sunset along the way, and made it safely back to Fårosund just in time for the sun to slip down over the horizon. 

Sunset on the way into the harbor

Made it!

Then it was time for the drive back home. We listened to Spain play Portugal on the radio (all Swedish), and dozed lazily, worn out from the relaxing, perfect summer day. 

It has been so incredible to be welcomed so fully into the Werkelin Family over the last two weeks.  They have been so gracious and loving, and even though I am excited to travel to Italy and Stockholm soon, I know I will be excited to be back as well.  Just like I am excited for this adventure of living on Gotland for a while, but knowing I'll be coming home in the end. 

On a sentimental, mushy, cheesy, sappy note - my head and heart are bursting with gratitude for everything in life right now.  Not just the things and experiences I am having here, but everything from the very beginning that has lead to here and the last . Because from the beginning I was born into a family that was strong and loving and guided me so well to make choices that improved me.  Through that example I learned to seek out mentors that challenged me and shaped me.  I learned that not all mentors realize that they are mentoring you, and that lots of life mentors are the people that piss you off and inadvertently teach you about your self and how to deal with this messed up world.  And because of all of this, because of the good and the not so good, I somehow managed to carve a path that has always put me somewhere that I needed to be.  

I don't know what it was about watching the sunset over the sea while shivering under a blanket because I didn't want to miss a second of the colors splayed across the sky while we sped back to Fårosund.  Vendela and Boston were snuggled beside me sleeping, and everyone was quietly content.  I felt calm in the middle of all that water (which isn't a usual feeling for me when big water is involved), and in that calmness, I found a more profound respect for the way life chugs on and on.  For the way the sun rises and sets whether or not Britain is part of the EU.  For the way people are able to take adversity into stride and come out stronger.  It was nice.