European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 15, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                M a Convoy decided that if we got to Narvik we would rent a car with studded tires to get us to the assignment. Above Narvik the Road twists and turns and curves More than anywhere else on its path. A Chart i saw pointed out that the Road distance above Narvik is twice that covered by a flying Crow. But our rental car had the proper tires so the curves were no trouble. We reached an Selv in time to file a Story and photo for monday s paper. Our arrival was met with Surprise at the exercise. Quot you drove Here Quot people at the press Center asked. Quot did t you look at a map Quot i told Ruth Foshaug one of the local women about our drive. Pretty stupid huh Quot yes Quot she said a bit too eagerly. For the return trip we bought four spiked tires and had them put on the wounded stripes car. It was the Wisest a and least expensive a alternative. With them we zipped Home covering in three Days what had taken us five. The tires allowed us to relax and enjoy the Beauty that cod planted in Northern Norway scenery that we had missed in the stress of the trip North. Quot Gus were those mountains Here when we came up last week Quot Quot i Don t remember them  we encountered snowstorms but no Snowbank on the return trip. Noting Back with the t Larity of Hindsight it might be said that our automobile trip to the tar North was ill advised. But i believe it is More Correl t to say we were simply ill prepared. With the studded tires there would have been fewer problems. But there would have been less adventure too. It can be said then that a mid Winter i a trip to and beyond the Arctic Circle is possible1 if one is aided by proper equipment a mild Winter and helpful norwegians. And of course you must Wash your tires. <1 March 15, 1990 stripes Magazine 13