How many times had we scanned the edge of the forest, holding our breath every time one of those thousands of moose warning signs appeared? No, it wasn't that dramatic – but we would have been a bit disappointed to leave Scandinavia without having seen a single moose. One could almost think: "They don't really exist." So a solution had to be found. And since many others likely feel the same, moose parks were invented. Tadaa!
The day before, we had already traveled through wind and weather to reach Vimmerby. Here in Astrid Lindgren's land, autumn has fully arrived. The last cornflowers bravely peek over harvested fields, swaying in the wind. The attractions have long since closed, yet the red wooden houses with their gardens full of sunflowers and marigolds radiate so much coziness that one almost expects Pippi Longstocking to wave from around the corner.
After a cozy breakfast, we set off for the moose park. And wow: although the park only opens at 11 AM and we arrived at 11:05, the parking lot is already full of German camper vans. The tour has already begun, but that doesn't bother us much. Instead, each of us is given a branch – Frank gets birch, Steffi gets oak – and off we go.
Barely through the entrance, we must defend our food against some cheeky goats. They know exactly how cute they are and beg with all their might. But just a little later, we find ourselves in front of our first moose. Initially from afar, then up close: a hungry cow moose munches the branches straight from our hands. Quite an impressive moment!
Later, we come across the group that is currently listening to a lecture about the mating behavior of moose. Apparently, a bull has been courting a cow for some time, but she consistently ignores him. Well – that’s how it is sometimes.
We stroll a bit more through the expansive park, enjoy the sun which finally warms us up again, and then it’s time to say goodbye. The south is calling. Off to Malmö!
Moose Mission: Success at Last!
How many times had we scanned the forest’s edge, holding our breath every time one of those countless moose warning signs appeared? No, it wasn’t that dramatic – but we definitely would have been disappointed to leave Scandinavia without seeing a single moose. You’d almost start to believe: “They don’t really exist.”
So, a solution was needed. And since many others surely feel the same way, someone came up with the idea of moose parks. Tadaa!
The day before, we had already battled wind and weather to reach Vimmerby. Here in Astrid Lindgren’s homeland, autumn is in full swing. The last cornflowers still peek above the harvested fields, swaying bravely in the wind. The theme parks have long since closed, but the red wooden houses with their gardens full of sunflowers and marigolds radiate such coziness, you almost expect Pippi Longstocking to wave from the porch.
After a leisurely breakfast, we head to the moose park. And wow: although it only opens at 11, by 11:05 the parking lot is already packed with German campervans. The guided tour has already started, but we’re not too bothered. Instead, each of us is handed a branch – Frank gets birch, Steffi gets oak – and off we go.
Barely through the gate, we have to defend our moose food against a bunch of cheeky goats. They know exactly how cute they are and beg like pros. But just a little further down the path, there he is: our first moose. At first in the distance, then right up close – a hungry cow moose munches the branches straight out of our hands. What an amazing moment!
Later we stumble upon the group listening to a talk about moose courtship. Apparently, a bull has been trying to woo a female for some time, but she just ignores him. Well … that’s life sometimes.
We wander a bit more through the spacious park, soak up the warming sunshine, and then it’s time to move on. Southbound – Malmö, here we come!
