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blueeyesspitfire · 4 years ago

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Relax

Almost every year, it seems like training slows down in December. Between Thanksgiving and New Years, various factors come into play that make it harder to run. In more "normal" times, it was usually the hustle and bustle of decorating, shopping, and gathering with friends that kept me off the trail. There were parties at work, parties with friends, parties with family. Of course, this year is significantly lacking in all that.

Even though December marks the true start of winter, it often arrives with crummy conditions. It has snowed a bit here and there, but not enough to safely use the sled yet. Big storms, meltdowns, and freezes have been the norm for late fall in the North Country, but the big snow dumps have eluded us so far. The ground is partially frozen and there's no base to set a snow hook.

I've been running the dogs with the ATV, which works better on small amounts of snow than the non-motorized carts. However, I have to avoid the muddy spots, otherwise I’ll create deep ruts with the heavy machine. I also can’t use the ATV on most of the state forest trails, so I’m eager for snow.

Holidays and weather aside, there’s another reason I've been struggling to get back on track. If you're not following my social media, you may have missed that Blitz had a seizure a few weeks ago. I'll paste what I shared on Facebook below to recap:

We had a scary day on the trail. We were wrapping up another 10 mile run when Blitz’s tug went slack and he started dipping his head. I thought he was sniffing the spot where we had passed by a couple walking dogs, but then he yanked on his neckline and put on the brakes. I stopped the ATV to see what was wrong, and he immediately started seizing. I’ve never dealt with a seizure before and BOY are they terrifying.

My immediate thought was hyperthermia (overheating), even though it was in the mid-30s and I was keeping them at a pretty slow pace for the return leg. I had also watered them at the five mile mark, and he wasn’t showing any other signs of heat related stress. I poured some water on him just in case, and he eventually came out of the seizure (felt like an eternity but was probably more like 20-30 seconds).

He was very weak immediately after the episode so I pulled him onto the ATV and tried to get the team moving, but the other dogs wouldn’t line out and were curious/distressed. So, I started carrying him the remaining 300ish feet of trail back to the truck but quickly realized that wasn’t the best plan. (He’s a big dog.) I laid him down, ran back to the ATV and the dogs finally figured out we had to keep moving forward. I scooped him up and got everybody back into the truck and shot over to North Country Veterinary Services, who had vets waiting for us upon arrival. (I’ve never loaded dogs/gear/ATV so fast before... although I did leave behind several water bottles and gloves on the trail)

Blitz perked up on the ride over and was able to walk inside the vet’s office on his own, where they ran blood work to determine exactly what happened. Turns out, his blood sugar was very low. They gave him a sugar boost and he immediately perked up.

We’ve been doing longer runs and today we started about an hour later than normal. I feed the team after their runs (to avoid bloating) but I now realize it was too long a gap after his meal last night.

The plan now is to rest for at least a week. He goes back to the vet next Thursday for a followup. Assuming it was just exertional hypoglycemia, I will rework their feeding schedule to three small meals (instead of two) during mushing season and snack him before/during runs. I’ll also have emergency Karo syrup ready if he (or any of them) have this issue again.

I’m not sure what this means for his “career” as a sled dog. I’m hoping he can remain on the team and continue training towards 20-30 milers, but I won’t take any chances with my boy.

Since then, Blitz has been totally fine. He had his follow-up appointment and his blood sugar levels were right on target. I experimented with their food regimen a bit, but ultimately decided to continue feeding two meals (morning and evening) and shifting runs to midday instead of in the early morning (when none of them are very eager to eat). This has worked so far, but I've only had time for short runs on the home trail during my lunch breaks. I need to get them back to the state trails and running longer distances. I prefer to train before work, when fewer people (and dogs) are around, so hopefully I can convince them to eat a bit beforehand. I might be able to swing some extra long lunch breaks, but there will always be a portion of the season where we have to run early (especially when temperatures are warmer). Just another thing to work out.

The vet said Blitz would be fine to run 10 milers again (as long as he has food before/snacks midway), but it's been a challenge to resume training. It took a full week before I could even get the harnesses out of my truck, so it's safe to say there's some lingering PTSD. The fear of another seizure has snowballed into a mountain of anxiety about every possible thing that could go wrong during a run. (And trust me, there’s plenty.)

So, sometimes, we don't run at all. Then the guilt creeps in—the feeling that I'm failing these dogs. I look at our training schedule and get depressed as our numbers plummet. I'm always telling myself, "Next season will be our season." But dogs age fast; each season feels so precious and fleeting.

I know what you’re going to say and I am trying to cut myself some slack. Mushing has always been my release. I balanced it against work, travel, and friends. Now most of that equation is gone and I need to find joy instead of stress, whatever that looks like. The 2020-2021 race season isn't looking all that promising with the pandemic still raging. Races may still happen, but I'm unsure if I'll feel comfortable attending.

If there ever was a season to slow down and relax, this would be the one. Let’s hope I can figure out how.

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xylianna · 7 years ago

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🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 I have had a lot of rum today and will totally star for star with you....of course I will probably be sober by the time you get to this... MORNING RUM IT IS!!!!

48 STARS? SERIOUSLY DO YOU WANT MY LIFE STORY? CAUSE YOU’RE ABOUT TO GET IT.

1. my first pet was a rabbit named Carmel

2. my first cat was a yellow tabby named Orlith (Moreta’s queen dragon in the Dragonriders of Pern books)

3. my other two cats have been named Wolf and Lynx. Wolf is my old lady cat, 18 years old. Lynx I had to rehome when I moved a few years ago. Orlith died years ago, the poor thing.

4. I learned how to hunt because I live in an area that is THE THING and also animals are tasty. I spent hours tracking a damn pheasant on my first hunt but because of my shitty eyesight/lack of depth perception, couldn’t see it, so my dad shot it. He still credited me with the kill since I tracked it.

5. I like to go fishing, if by fishing you mean “sit on the boat and read a book because its pretty on the water”

6. I like spreadsheets a little too much. Google Sheets means I can have them EVERYWHERE.

7. I love to sing, and its the one thing I’m actually a bit arrogant about. At least, I feel like its arrogance. Maybe its just being truthful? I have a really good voice. I trained it for a lot of years. it’s one of the few things I can do that almost always lifts my mood.

8. I hadn’t seen any live concerts in ages, and then in 2016 I saw Final Fantasy A New World and the Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses

9. I have next to no confidence in anything outside my singing and it still boggles my mind that people like my writing. this isn’t me fishing for compliments, I’m honestly astounded. I read other people’s stuff and I’m blown away that those same people like mine, when theirs is just so fucking amazing.

10. sometimes I go anywhere between a day or a week without contacting anybody just to see if anyone bothers to talk to me if I don’t reach out first. the results usually make me more sad than before I tried. and make me question most my ‘friendships’.

11. I’ve been single for two years and I kinda hate it, but don’t expect it to change anytime soon. part of the reason is i’m picky AF. most of the reason is I have little to no social life.

12. I’m pagan and I am deeply spiritual but I generally don’t discuss it at all if I’m not asked by a close friend, because to me spirituality and religion is DEEPLY personal

13. I have never slept with a woman who hasn’t decided afterwards that she’s straight. this is probably why I’ve dated so few women. while logically I know there’s no correlation between my performance and their declarations (especially as my more recent ex-gf is dating another woman now), its still a pretty big ego blow.

14. Sorry I just answering this to sing for like 10 minutes. Currently trying to type while singing “Missing” by Evanescence. ANGST ANGST ANGST ANGST!

15. i hate going to movies alone and will actively buy people tickets just so I don’t have to

16. I hate cooking for just me when my son isn’t home, so instead I tend to batch cook and freeze a bunch to enable lazy dinners down the road

17. I’m a really good cook :D

18. Tomorrow I play D&D! I play once a month with a small group of family and friends. This is the third group I’ve had for the same campaign and I don’t think I’ll ever see the end at this rate, haha.

19. I also play WoW. In WoW, I play Xylianna, the Paladin. In D&D I play a Fighter. I like swords okay?

20. work sucked this week but I have rum now :D

21. I had cancer when I was 17. In 2 months will be my 18th anniversary of being cancer free. I celebrate that more than my birthday, or my wedding anniversary before I was divorced. Nothing gets you to pare the bullshit out of your life faster than getting that diagnosis, let me tell you.

22. HOW THE FUCK AM I ONLY ON NUMBER 22 WHAT DO YOU PEOPLE WANT FROM ME *gets a third drink*

23. In my local kink community, my ‘scene name’ is one of my first OTP’s.

24. If 23 didn’t warn you, I’m going to talk about BDSM now. I’m a switch insofar as I’ll top without any real hint of dominance since I LOATHE the responsibility of being a dom. Iggy in Discretion/What Would Happen is totally based off me, because I vastly prefer to give over control since my entire fucking life is me running everything. I run my dept at work, I run my house, I run my gaming group, I run my karaoke group. Sometimes I just need a break okay?

25. also gimme dat pain

26. and I’ll give you some, too, because I enjoy service topping

27. Consent is Sexy, okay? I go out of my way to portray consent being constantly re-established in my bdsm fics particularly, because its never okay to assume that just because I was allowed to do X last week, its okay to do X this week. I mean obviously in an established relationship, it would be different, but even then CONSENT AND COMMUNCATION, SO FUCKING SEXY

28. I wish I could play a string instrument. I bought a guitar and tried to learn it but it turns out I am not good at teaching myself something so different from what I already know, haha. Chords are confusing to me for some reason. Or I made them more confusing than they had to be.

29. I am embarrassed to admit how many years its been since I picked up one of my clarinets. I wish I could find a local ensemble to join, but, that would mean reaching out and asking and aahhhhhh *hides*

30. I would also totally lose my shit if I could find a choral group to join that wasn’t attached to a Christian church. no offense at all to christian churches, but I feel a bit dishonest joining a group connected to a faith I don’t share, you know?

31. when I go to xmas eve church with my mom at her church, my brother-in-law’s mother does indeed make me join choir for that night, and its great!

32. i’m intensely lonely most of the time but I pretend i’m not because indulging in the feeling won’t change anything. and tbh part of it is my fault for isolating myself.

33. I have chronic severe depressive disorder coupled with a side of anxiety. So I feel like shit, and I worry about it, LOL

34. Prior to November 2017 NaNoWriMo, I hadn’t written in over 10 years, save for a couple 300ish word short stories.

35. part of me is terrified certain family members will find my AO3/Tumblr. I actually talked to my psychologist about this fear at my last appointment. We agreed that if they go to so much trouble as to find my internet alter ego, they deserve to be offended by my work. Fuck ‘em.

36. just once I wish I could feel the support I give my family given to me. I have one supportive family member and its not even blood. my brother-in-law is my best friend, for real. my Warder (if you follow WoT), bonded in balefire. I wish the rest of my family would care about me, but I’m working on accepting they just won’t.

37. I love learning languages for the same reason I love studying music, and I love writing - my goal is to communicate as effectively as possible, make people really understand, and the more avenues open to me the better

38. when I get a little drunk, I forget English and speak a mashup of Spanish, German, and Japanese

39. I have to go to karaoke tomorrow night for the first time since I was sexually harassed at karaoke last October, and I’m kinda terrified

40. I get very down on myself when I realize in my writing I do no world building and very little serious plotting. I basically write angst, or love, or smut. I’m trying to be okay with that, but I admit I feel like I don’t do a good enough job.

41. wow way to kill the mood, Xy. honestly, if anyone is still reading this, you get a fucking medal. i’m not that interesting, and I probably should have stopped writing this long ago.

42. I really wish life would give me a fucking break, you know? but that’s not how it works. you gotta make your own breaks, and I’m too gods-damned tired to try at present. Maybe I’ll try later this year.

43. I wish I lived alone. Ironic, since I’m lonely 99% of the time. But having a roommate isn’t the same as having companionship and sometimes I just want to not listen to someone else’s blaring TV or have someone else walk thru the house while I’m writing at the table or have someone comment on my singing (even if its complimentary)

44. WOW I GOT DEPRESSED LETS LIGHTEN THINGS UP SHALL WE? I love apple scented shit.

45. I own at least 10 pairs of kitty ears, and two tails. In fact I am wearing ears to karaoke tomorrow. Meow.

46. I want the relationship I write for Gladnis in my Discretion series BUT I’M NOT HOLDING MY BREATH FAM

47. my son is 8 yrs old and he’s honestly the best thing i’ve done with my life, and he is the thing I am most proud of, even topping my joy in beating cancer

48. in 2016 I lost 120 pounds. in 2017 i gained 30 back. in 2018… we’ll see.

HOLY FUCK THAT WAS HARD I DESERVE MORE RUM NOW OKAY

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lindsaydoeslife · 8 years ago

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incentive plan and random ramblings

Like I said, it’s really not all that exciting, but I’m a little excited about it.

I used to stop at the gas station by work nearly every weekday. I would buy food for the day. Considering I weigh more than 300 pounds, I’ll let you guess the amount and types of food i was buying (if you’re guessing: junk and a whole lot of it, you’re right). I would spend I would say on average $8 a day there. Sometimes more, sometimes less.

So, I’m not tracking mileage or anything right now, just days that I work out. On days where I work out at least 30 minutes and do arm weights, crunches, and wall push ups, I will give myself $5. If I do half of the stuff (like two days ago I did 30 minutes of activity, but not the crunches/pushups/arm weights) then it’s $2.50.

I must say, it’s nice to be able to do something like this. I feel like in the last 6 months I’ve somehow gotten to the point where I’m doing okay financially. I paid off my credit card and just have student loan debt and I have that at a reasonable payment now. It’s nice to have more money than month and not have to rely on credit cards at the end of the month.

The thing is is that I don’t usually have cash on me. If I went to the bank and got a bunch of fives at the beginning of each month I’d probably spend it on other stuff. So I’ll give myself a little ticket with the amount earned written on it and stick it in a jar. At the end of each month I’ll add up the tickets and cash them in. Or maybe i’ll just let the tickets add up for a long time. Or maybe I’ll actually USE my savings account and just transfer the money.

I have no clue what I’ll use my earnings on. A pet? A trip to New York? New clothes? Race registrations?* new york would be at the top of that list.

*I am not going to do the lincoln half in may. While I’m sure I could do it (even if I walked most of it) and it would give me a baseline time to smash next year, I just think it’s too much too soon. And I think a poor finishing time would mess with my head. I appreciate all of your input and support on the matter. :)

There is a 10k and 2 mile race in april in my hometown. My dad and I have done the 10k together (when I was in shape). Our picture was even in the newspaper and then again in the Omaha newspaper. The following year I registered but didn’t run (one of several races/events I registered for and didn’t do). Anyway, he’s done the 2 mile race the past few years and last year got first place in his division. I’m thinking about doing that with him.

Tonight at the gym I walked 5 minutes, ran 10 straight (go me!), then walked 8 and had to take a restroom break. Then i got back on the treadmill and did a little running and finished the rest walking. My feet and legs just feel “off” today. I thought I had put a towel in my bag but it wasn’t there when I got to the locker room. I like to use it to cover the numbers on the treadmill so I don’t pay attention to the time.

I liked this new gym location. Good energy. It was pretty crowded, but it was good. It’s not identical to the other location in its setup. I think it’ll be okay, but I actually missed “my” gym. Weird, huh? That’s weird that I just referred to the other location as “my” gym because still - even after having moved more than 4 years ago from Omaha to Lincoln - I still call the gym I went to in omaha “my” gym. I spent so much time there. I would spend HOURS there at a time. It didn’t hurt that “cute trainer boy” was there to look at. anyway, it’s weird how we make things ours and how long that feeling can stick.

I’m sitting here thinking, “I don’t remember struggling this much to get into a grove with running in 2011 at that gym???” I guess I had started running in my apartment (I would run a figure 8-ish route through my apartment) in February, didn’t start at the gym until probably the end of March, and would have been about 230ish pounds and was only 29. Now I’m almost 35 (FUCK!) and 300ish pounds (dear scale - you better fucking move tomorrow). I guess it’s only natural it’d be harder.

The fact that there’s a 70 pound difference there (2011 starting-to-run lindsay and now) is staggering. It’s interesting though. When I think, “I’m going to lose 150ish pounds” I haven’t been struck by the enormity of that number. But right now thinking about it....that’s a little overwhelming. I’m going to lose half of who I am.

But, I just need to break it down and look at in smaller goals: celebrating each milestone along the way. Getting out of each decade number, each 5 pound milestone, 5% of my starting weight, 10% of my starting weight, etc. BEING ABLE TO BEND OVER OR LEAN FORWARD AND TIE MY SHOES WITHOUT PROBLEMS. Yes, I’ll celebrate the shit out of that accomplishment. Can you tell it’s been an issue?

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daisycactus20-blog · 6 years ago

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Why You Need to Visit Gothenburg and its Archipelago in West Sweden

This is a sponsored post in partnership with the Göteborg & Co.. All words and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help us do what we do!

We recently had the opportunity to travel to Gothenburg, Sweden (or Göteborg). If you’ve been following us on social media, you probably saw a ton of Insta Stories and posts about it. We were there to attend the Way Out West festival, as well as to explore this beautiful city. Needless to say, we were so smitten that we couldn’t help but take a million photos (677 to be exact) and to share the experience with you.

Sweden has been on my “wish list” of places to visit for years. But to be honest, I wasn’t familiar with Gothenburg, its second largest city on the West Coast. I had always assumed that a trip to Sweden would land me in Stockholm. But Gothenburg caught me by surprise. And quite frankly, swept me off my feet. If you’re planning a trip to Sweden, a stop on the West Coast is a must.

Given its location, Gothenburg had for years been a major port; more of an industrial city than its glitzy, high-fashion counterpart. But in the last few years, this city, which locals described to me as ��laid back,” and “cozy” — a favorite word of Swedes — has seen a dramatic change.

Old buildings have been renovated and now house cool mixed indoor / outdoor spaces. There’s a huge focus on sustainability (both in terms of architecture, as well as in food and fashion). And there’s a general feeling that they’re on the edge of becoming the “next hot place” to visit (listen up New York Times and Afar!). Not to mention, of course, music is a big part of this city; the Way Out West Festival is held in Slottsskogen, its beautiful urban park, which is easily accessible by public transit.

It’s hard to choose highlights from the trip because, quite honestly, everything felt like a highlight. Our room in the Comfort Hotel, a hip chain in Scandinavia and the Baltics, faced the water and beautiful city that meets its edge.

Every day, we indulged in a delicious breakfast spread before heading out to explore the cobblestoned streets. Of course, most people will tell you to head straight to the Haga district, a historical shopping and dining area that’s now home to well-to-do young families and the giant cinnamon rolls the size of your head. Given its central location, we ended up strolling through numerous times and each time felt no less magical.

pictured in my favorite, go-to travel Everlane Wide Leg Cropped Pants (c/o)

The Magasinsgatan shopping district is the place to pick up both high-end goods, visit global chains, as well as to immerse yourself in local Swedish brands. There are plenty of restaurants, cafes (most notably, Da Matteo), and bars here. Like Lisbon, where yellow trams are ever-present, Gothenberg’s light-blue ones are ubiquitous. But that’s not the only way to get around the city. You can hop on a boat or in a canoe to navigate your way under dozens of flower-adorned bridges. Get yourself a three day transit pass and you can hop on and off as much as you want (you can even rent bikes!).

Another magical spot right inside the city? Trädgårdsföreningen, the dreamy The Garden Society of Gothenburg, and 1878 Palm House. This is perhaps one of the most Instagrammable spots in the city, and also one of the most relaxing. Surrounded by gardens, the Palm House is filled with cacti, palms, a lily pond, and a lovely seating area where you can lazy away the day with a book. If you get caught in the rain, I can’t think of a better place to wait it out.

Our initial plans only vaguely included a trip out to the archipelago. But once we arrived and realized how easy it was to get out to the islands, we booked our way there. Locals will recommend you allot an entire day for a trip out there, but honestly, it’s so quick that even if you have just a few hours, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to zoom over on one of the fast ferries that take off from Salthammen.

The island of Vrångö, which was our first stop, is the southernmost inhabited of the islands (with just 300ish residents). No cars are allowed on the island, making it tranquil beyond imagination. You can literally walk around the entire island, along the coast, through its nature preserve, and through the little neighborhood. Find yourself a slice of sea, a warm rock, and you’re set for however long you’re lucky enough to stay. The sweet cafe just across from the ferry is the perfect spot to sip on your coffee, grab some lunch, and squeeze every last minute of your trip.

Another island we had the opportunity to visit was Styrsö, which was equally as beautiful, albeit felt just a tad more populated. Here you’ll be able to hike up to a historical point and be rewarded with a jaw-dropping view of the surrounding islands in the archipelago. You’ll also be able to grab a bite at Cafe Oberska which, to our great dismay, was closed for a private event when we visited. Everyone we talked to raved about the amazing food and atmosphere here.

Both Vrångö and Styrsö are great places to swim, so if you happen to be visiting on a warm summer day, pack your swimsuit! Cars are also not allowed on Styrsö, but you can rent a bike from one of the small hotels on the island (or bring your own). It amazed us both that we could feel so remote and in just an hour, be back in the city center (and at a major music festival). This is the kind of balance we really loved in Gothenburg: it felt like we were exploring a city, but it was easygoing and chill.

Food-wise, there’s a ton going on in the city. The focus on sustainability means that you’ll find inventive vegetarian and vegan spots, “natural” wines, but also fusion cuisine (dumplings, Thai, sushi). If you’re European, you’re probably already familiar with Oatly (based in Malmö, Sweden). I was obsessed with all of their widely-available offerings in restaurants, coffee shops, and at supermarkets. Oatly, if you’re listening, please bring your vegan ice cream (which we got to sample at Way Out West) State-side.

It’s been over a month since we returned from our trip and I can honestly say that it was one of the best trips I’ve ever taken. Gothenburg, you stole my heart! I’ve pulled together a list of spots we enjoyed. Stay tuned for a music-focused post (all about record stores and with snaps from Way Out West) from Matt soon!

Stay

Comfort Hotel Göteborg

This is where we were stationed for the duration of our stay, and I can’t recommend it enough. The location was great (close to public transit, with a lovely view of the water), the daily breakfast was fantastic (like, way better than most hotel breakfasts), and our room was super comfy. Plus, the vibe in the lobby is super cozy and there’s a great rooftop bar.

Eat and Drink

Totale

Our first dinner was at this fantastic neighborhood spot, and we both agreed it was probably our favorite meal of the trip. You can eat creative dishes made with locally-sourced ingredients, beautiful wood-fired pizza, and wash it all down with natural wine. The decor is also super cute and hip.

Da Matteo Café

This coffee shop and bakery is perhaps the most famous in Gothenburg (they even won the award for best roaster in Sweden!). We brought a bag of heirloom coffee beans home with us to enjoy. They have a couple of locations, but you have to try their pastries; they are truly the best.

Restaurang Gabriel

This fish restaurant is actually at the top of the “fish church” and we had the most lovely and delicious meal here (all the fresh seafood your heart desires!). This is a great spot for lunch, especially if you find yourself in a downpour. The owner of the restaurant happens to be a former World Champion in Oyster Shucking (x2!).

Feskekörka

The “fish church,” as it is lovingly called, is the triangle building you see in the photos above. Here, you can buy fresh seafood and also pick up a light lunch, which you can eat at the picnic tables overlooking the water.

Le-Gbg

Admittedly, I dragged Matt to this Instagram-worthy spot, which I found by looking at the Instagram Nathalie Cuti, a Swedish singer who happened to be performing at Cafe Gazette the evening we ate there! If you’re into wellness and looking for beautiful smoothie bowls, healthy-ish pancakes, and the like, you’ll love this sunny spot.

Kafé Magasinet

Another iconic Gothenburg eatery, this is a gorgeous, plant-filled space that is housed is a formerly-abandoned auction house, and is a must visit. You can grab pizzas, bagels, coffee, and beers here. This would be a sweet spot to enjoy a book, too.

Saluhallen market hall

This famous food hall is filled with deliciousness, and also happens to be a beautiful space to wander and oggle, and tempt your appetite..

Basque (tapas bar)

We stumbled upon this bar late one evening after Way Out West, and were positively smitten. They lay out tapas (small bites) on their counter, so you can grab what you want and they add it up later. Also, we learned that in Sweden, most places only serve low-alcoholic beer, but here, you’ll find the most impressive selection of beers, including ones made at local breweries. The bartender was super friendly, too. Go check out this spot for a bite and a drink!

Restaurang Sjöbaren

We really wanted to hit at least one “super traditional” Swedish restaurant, and this one, in the Haga, did not disappoint. We really enjoyed trying some old school dishes here. The restaurant itself feels casual — with wooden walls, and is situated on the main street in the Haga, so it’s a great place to grab a seat at the window and enjoy some people watching.

FORSSÉN ÖBERG – Champagnebar

This champagne bar is situated in a beautiful courtyard where you’ll also find a tiny record shop (more on that in the next guide). It’s absolutely adorable. On a warm summer night, you should grab yourself a glass of bubbly and relax under the beautiful trees.

Café Gazette

The night we ate at this hip restaurant, they were hosting Nathalie Cuti, a local musician, to kick off Way Out West. The scene here felt VERY COOL and we were curious how the food would be. It turned out, delicious. Small share plates were a great way to sample virtually everything on the menu. There’s a game room in the back, and lots of beers, plus an awesome outdoor area.

Cafe Obergska (on Styrsö)

I feel weird including this because we didn’t actually go here, but it is obvious to me that if you head to Styrsö and you are looking for food, Cafe Obergska is a must. Sadly, we were on the island on a day when they were closed for a private event, but it looked insanely charming and everyone I talked to said that the food is amazing here, too. In fact, an older couple we chatted with told us that they would sometimes decide to hop over from Gothenburg on a sunny day just to have breakfast here.

Skärgårdens Café (on Vrångö)

This is the only cafe on the island of Vrångö and you can’t miss it as it is literally right in front of where the ferry drops off. Sitting here, eating my lunch, and watching our ferry pull up was maybe one of the saddest moments of the trip as I did not want to leave this magical island. No joke, when I want to think of something warm and happy, I’ve been mentally returning here.

The food at Way Out West

I can’t not talk about the food at the Way Out West festival (more on that from Matt soon!), which is completely vegetarian. We tried to sample ALL THE THINGS but the most unique thing I saw there (and I spotted it right away) was the active charcoal burger. I thought it was so cool that all the food trucks at the festival, even ones that aren’t typically vegetarian, adapted all their menus. Honestly, and somewhat ironically, given Sweden’s connection to the sea, I came back from Gothenburg feeling like I need to eat less meat and seafood.

See

Trädgårdsföreningen, Garden Society of Gothenburg

This park is a can’t miss, in my humble opinion. It’s peaceful and beautiful, and the Palm House is absolutely stunning. Not to mention, it’s free. Being here makes you feel like you don’t have a care in the world. If you’re in Gothenburg for a few days, come here with a packed lunch and a book.

Haga old town

The historic part of the city oozes with charm. Come here for a fika (get the GIANT cinnamon buns) and do some shopping, too!

Slottsskogen City Park

This was the location of Way Out West, but this lovely urban park is well-worth a visit even when there’s no festival happening. As someone who used to live blocks from Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, I so appreciate urban green spaces like this one. You can get here on a tram or bus, or rent one of the city bikes!

Paddan Sightseeing

Ok, when we first saw a boat tour on our itinerary, I was a bit skeptical. I’m not really a boat person, nor a tour person, but this ended up being so fun! You get to see the city from the water, passing under tons of bridges. Not to mention, we learned a lot about Gothenburg’s roots: its shipyards and role in wars, its relationship with Norway and Denmark, and how it has come out of a recession.

Shop

Artilleriet

This is hands down the most beautiful interior shop in Gothenburg. The kitchen part of the shop, though, is the dreamiest part…those yummy green walls..

Grandpa

If you’re looking to pick up a cool Swedish raincoat, sunglasses, or sweater, head over to this store. You’ll find Grandpa in the same square as Da Matteo . You’ll have a hard time leaving empty handed (you’ve been warned).

Twist and Tango

I stumbled upon this store in the Haga during their blowout summer clearance, and walked out with a pair of leather blush pink slides. They started in Gothenburg but also have a location in Stockholm. I’m not a fan of kitschy souvenirs, but shoes I can do. Check it out! They also have an online shop, but sadly don’t ship to the U.S.

Source: https://www.turntablekitchen.com/2018/09/gothenburg-west-sweden/

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