Yesterday we hopped in the car and drove about 35 minutes south from Arendal to make a Lillesand Norway day trip — and it turned out to be one of the most charming coastal towns we have visited.

Parking was easy. Google Maps had it marked clearly. We used the EasyPark app to pay and set our hour. We also have this little clock decal from the store. You turn the dial to your arrival time so the parking attendant can see when your free hour started. Very organized. Very Norway.

Poppy went on her leash and off we went.

A little about Lillesand — your Norway day trip guide

Lillesand dates back to the 1700s. It was a busy port town back when sailing ships and timber were everything in southern Norway. When steam power took over the town just stayed the same. Quiet. Preserved. White clapboard homes. Church spires. A harbor that has been there for centuries and looks like it.

We walked past a few beautiful statues along the way. A woman frozen in time looking out toward the water. The kids found a cannon and immediately had opinions about it. As they do.

Down at the waterfront the boats were bobbing quietly. The restaurants all had glass barriers around the outdoor seating areas so you could see the harbor without getting blasted by wind.

We honestly were not sure if anything was actually open. Cars in the lots. Barely any people. Just quiet. That kind of deep quiet that Norway does really well.

We walked past the school. Flowers everywhere. Beautiful white homes lined up along the street looking exactly like you imagine Norway looks.

Something I did not expect

Norway is dry.

Like actually dry. We are on the water. There is snow and rain everywhere. And yet my skin has been screaming since we got here. We are drinking so much water. The tap water is incredible by the way. Just cold and clean straight from the tap.

The pollen is also out of control right now. Just a heads up if you are coming in spring.

The McDonald’s situation

We have a rule. One McDonald’s per country. Just one.

Norway’s was $85.

Five sandwiches. Two fries. One sweet potato fry. Sixteen piece nuggets.

Eighty five dollars.

We ate outside because Poppy was with us. Europe is different about dogs around food which we love. She sat right there with us like a person.

Here is what surprised me though. The food was actually good. Like really good. The meat tasted like real meat. Big patties. Actual chicken. It tasted more like a sit down restaurant than fast food.

Was it worth $85. I mean. We ate it.

Oh and we filled the diesel tank on the way home. $88.

So yesterday cost us $173 just in gas and nuggets.

Norway is beautiful and Norway is expensive. Both things are very true.

We were home just before two. Work started at two thirty. Perfect morning.

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