Day 8 (Åtta): Vaxholm

Another lovely, 80+ degree day in Stockholm! We spent two hours of it traveling back and forth by ferry to Vaxholm, one of the thousands of islands that constitute the Stockholm archipelago. The outbound trip was lovely since we got to spend most of it outdoors on the deck. The return was on an older ferry, a steam ship actually, that was cool in its own right, but more cramped.

Upon arrival we headed for the nearest "beach" recommended in tour guides. This portion of the Baltic Sea is brackish, but doesn't taste like salt, so the kids enjoyed swimming out to the farthest rocks and sunning themselves along with scores of other tourists and natives. Alas, it was not a topless beach.

After about two hours of that, we wandered around the north part of the island until the kids started to grasp their stomachs and whine for lunch. Our search for sustenance brought us to the famous Sports Bar No. 10, so named because there is just one of them in Vaxholm. Go figure. The food was better than pub fare, however.

Carey reports her shrimp salad was the finest she's ever ingested and Greta worked through her tagliatelle scampi with vigor. I had something the menu called a Club Sandwich, but see how many of these club sandwich fixings you recognize: Chicken, bacon, guacamole, tomatoes, salad, aioli. All heaped upon two slices of multigrain, neither triangle nor toast. Also, salad is the catch-all term for any green. I did enjoy a Great White IPA, which the locals pronounce "eee-pa," much to my delight. I should add the women also split a bottle of rosé, which made both of them very happy and fun to be around.

Damond's retirement house if he stays in Sweden long enough for all three of his kids to be college educated for free. The other side of the property runs to the sea.

Waiting to board.

Stockholm's Grand Hotel, where the Obamas stayed when he won the Nobel. Jay-Z and Queen Bey were there earlier this month, too.

Leaving Stockholm Harbor... about the only wide camera frame angle without a construction crane.

The water "tram" to the Vaxholm fortress. We didn't fit it in, but it was kind of cool how this yellow boat ran on a cable in the water to and from the waterfront.

Just a pretty house on our walk. They either love their flag here or are still basking in their World Cup success. The yellow cross on baby blue banner is everywhere.

Two of my favorite girls. Many compliments this trip from strangers and friends alike that Greta is "very good with kids." Time to start making some money with that skill, kid!

Again, Photoshop out the queue of strangers behind them and this one's good! Though Jack is a bit notorious for not keeping a straight face for photographers.

Don't know whose house, I just liked it. And the tourist beauty in the foreground.

One of the charming alleyways that meander through the island. Perfect for a bicycle.

Hey, there's one!

The loveliest non-blonde I've seen in days!