Biking Through Koster

Today, we visited the Koster Islands, part of a national park off the coast of Strömstad. A small ferry carried us across the Koster Fjord from the mainland out to South Koster.

Headed west aboard the ferry

We rented bikes and took off along a gravelly path. There were no cars on the island. The tourists all walked or rode bikes. The locals (only 300 folks are tough enough to call these islands home) ride around on mopeds and golf carts.

On the trail

First stop was a small cafe with a lovely large garden in front and a pond in back. We stopped for a morning fika. And I found a heart on the outhouse door.

Can't have fika without kafi

Told ya.

We split up at the next stop. Savannah and I poked around inside the small church and walked over to the field next to the church grounds to spy on the horses. Jeremy and Chelsea climbed up a tall set of stairs for a bird's-eye view of the scenery.

Koster Kryka

Looks windy at the top!

We pedaled on until lunchtime. We sat outside in the sun and Jeremy entertained us all by ordering, eating, and inspecting a bowl of crayfish. After lunch, we poked around in the small nature center next door. We watched a movie in English in the center's small theatre, which looked like a gigantic sauna, all paneled in wood.

Lunch al fresco

Scientist at lunch

We couldn't read anything, but the pictures were pretty

Riding bikes on the island, I felt relieved not to have to worry about cars. I looked at the houses as we passed, wondering what the people keep in their little sheds, wondering how they bring their groceries home, how they deal with the summer crowds of tourists, and how they survive out here over the long, dark winter.

Ferry arriving

The last stop of the day was a sandy beach. It was gorgeous, but the water felt like ice. Only a few brave children and my husband were crazy enough to swim in it. The girls clambered over some rocks and searched the water for jellyfish. I just lounged on the beach, enjoying the warmth of the sun.

I can understand the desire of the people who live here to soak up the warm sunshine whenever they get the chance. When we first moved here, I was cold all the time and it took a long time until I felt warm outside. And we weren't even here for the coldest parts of the year!

By the time we caught the ferry back to the mainland, we were all exhausted. Add Koster to the list of beautiful places to enjoy a family outing in Sweden.

Still smiling, waiting for the ferry