A Scandinavian Sonnet

Off o’er the Atlantic the ‘sibs’ were aglow,
Rob and Liz, Jan and Brent, Marg (but not Jim and Jo)!
A timely planned outing to ‘Norway or bust’,
Was the plan, and a ‘plan’ for this group is a must!

At home Jim and Jo into action they sprang,
So excited they were to meet up with their ‘gang’!
Notions and lotions and vitamins packed,
They were off with every known trip artifact!

Arriving in Oslo, Jim and Jo Rich,
Were to meet with their ‘clan’, but this plan had a glitch!
One last tour in the city was simply a must,
But the tour ended badly - a car robbery bust!

The Pattersons now without passport or ‘purse’
Saturday too, so it all just got worse!
No way to board the ship was their fate,
Rob and Liz in Oslo, would just have to wait!

So sad were the others, but onward they cruised,
Grand staterooms and food to keep all quite amused!
First stop Copenhagen, a beautiful sight,
A walk into town by dawns early light!

Now, while on the trip, Janette had been ill,
With a darn old flu bug that nagged at her still!
But drugs brought by Jo from the U.S. took hold,
And in a short time they killed that old cold!






Disembarking the ‘Mermaid’ sat perched on the coast,
‘Little’ was right, after history’s boast!
Saw Hans Christian Andersons house by the water,
Then on a boat tour, we thought that we aught-er!

A walk thru the city we spotted a ‘bike
It had ‘several’ seats in the ‘round’, we were psyched!
‘All’ hopped on board with a driver quite funny,
Down the street we all rode, it was well worth the money!

Then to Tivoli Gardens, the center of town,
It was Sunday and busy with crowds all around!
Weathered by years, decidedly so,
So we dined, Danish style, then proceeded to go!

Down Stoeget Street for shopping some flew,
Others took off for castles to view!
Bought a Royal Copenhagen trinket to tote,
More souvenirs then back to the boat!

Monday at sea exploring and resting,
Playing trivia games and a lot of ‘food testing’!
Excited to rendezvous with our ‘two’
Who’d been stuck back in Norway trying to get thru!

Riga, Latvia was where we would meet,
We walked from the pier and there on the street…
Were our long lost companions, so happy were we,
Finally together, the whole family!


Of course Rob and Liz were both in their glory,
With a ‘tale’ to tell, their lost passport story!
Miracles happen, prayers make things right,
‘Course a ‘BYU’ intern didn’t hurt in their plight!

The adventure continued in Riga the city,
Buildings like castles, fairytale pretty!
A beautiful day, some ‘amber’ to buy,
Back to the ship ‘let’s eat’ was the cry!

Next day at sea we played games to unwind,
Jungle Speed, Pit, yes the relaxing (?) kind!
More great entertainment when evening rolled ‘round,
Then into our cabins to sleep safe and sound!

Thursday dawned in St. Petersburg’s port,
So much to do in one day, just too short!
Our able guide ‘Tatiana’ was ready,
To spout Russian history cool, calm and steady!

To “Catherine’s Palace’ we ventured by van,
Scenery spectacular as our tour guide began…
Explaining the history with details complete,
The ‘Amber room’, truly an awesome treat!

Another canal tour with cool sites to view,
Winter Palace, the Hermitage, to name just a few
Then a nice hotel lunch, the ‘business buffet’
Had us ready to finish this fabulous day!

Off to the Hermitage, history insightful,
Impressionist paintings, unique and delightful!
Russian performers for the evening cruise shows,
Then a midnight buffet brought the day to a close!

Helsinki Finland our first day of ‘rain’,
O’er beautiful landscapes we traveled again!
To Parvoo, an old fishing village we stopped,
For hot tea and cake and a ‘chocolate shop’!

Last night on the boat the sunset was splendid,
In fact it seemed that it never quite ended!
We lingered up deck-top as long as we could,
Then went to pack up as we knew we all should!

Stockholm Sweden, our last port of call,
For the Riches and Pattersons, not long at all!
Marg and the Sonnenbergs planned to stay on,
A few more days of the trip to pro-long!

From Stockholm to Amsterdam flying we went,
Then into New York, we were all pretty ‘spent’!
A wonderful trip to a beautiful land,
Memories to cherish, company grand!

The stragglers will have to end this last line,
I’ve not got their ‘details’, but surely they’ll ‘shine’!
So add what you will and I’ll try not to edit,
Giving you all you’re rightly earned credit!

Trips are….. ‘So Happy Together’
JPR