Entry 21: Leaving Midgard
March 17, 2012
Regional Population: 8,066 (+9.8%)
Kanin Fjord Population: 4,371 (+20%)
For centuries the old villagers have held a profound conviction that they are the destined stewards of Midgard (realm of Humans in Norse Mythology), and until death takes them, they shall be bound to Midgard. This belief among the older village folk has resulted in an unusual paranoia of airplanes. Some truly think that if they get onto a plane, the gods will strike them down for abandoning their responsibilities of taking care of Midgard.
Another superstition of the villagers is that there are hidden doorways to Jotunheim and Svartalfheim (realms of the giants and dwarves) in the mountains of Tufjord Island. They have a fear of the mountains, believing creatures from other worlds venture through these doorways and inhabit the mountains and surrounding forests.
Tyr flypass
By early 2010, Tufjord Island had a population of nearly 20,000. The island was connected to mainland Norway by sea, train, and car. However, it was impossible to travel to the island by plane. The nearest airfield was 30 kilometers east of Nolborg. Pressure had been building for the past 5 years to construct an airfield somewhere on the island. Rough topography combined with a dispute between Kanin Fjord and Stokkvågen over jurisdictional control of the airfield had been holding up construction of the airfield.
In May of 2010, the two towns agreed to construct the airfield at the base of Dvergfjell (Dwarf Mountain) under Kanin Fjord’s jurisdiction. Additional disagreements over the airfield’s name resulted in a lottery being used to determine the name. The airfield was named after the Norse god Tyr as a result of this lottery. Construction of the new airfield began in September of 2010 and was completed by March of 2012.
The runway measures 30 meters wide by 800 meters in length. Topography surrounding Dvergfjell limited the size of the runway; therefore, many parts of the airfield are constructed to near minimum dimensions. Tyr flypass is designed to only handle small aircraft such as Cessnas and Learjets. Upon opening, an average of 10 small aircraft a day began passing through the airfield.
Upper Kanin Fjord (Øvre kaninfjord)
Development of Tyr flypass coincided with the construction of a new suburb of Kanin Fjord called Øvre kaninfjord. Øvre kaninfjord is the largest expansion to Kanin Fjord in the past 10 years. The new part of Kanin Fjord is located at the base of Dvergfjell to the Northwest of downtown, and can be reached by the mountain road Midgardsveien.
By March of 2012, Øvre kaninfjord added an additional 900 residents to the town, increasing Kanin Fjord’s population by 20% in a matter of months. Additionally, Øvre kaninfjord became the region's unofficial mass transit hub, containing an airfield, bus depot, and aerial cablecar terminal. Other new amenities and businesses included a gas station, fire station, multi-story apartments, two grocery stores, an aircraft part repair shop, and other businesses.
Kanin Fjord Region
Kanin Fjord
Øvre kaninfjord
The mountain road of Midgardsveien
Valhalla leiligheter (Valhalla Apartments), with a mural of Valhalla, Odin, and Thor on the side of the first building.
Norway’s rapid economic growth had attracted the attention of the German family-owned grocery chain Aldi. Kanin fjord was selected as one of three towns in Norway for the construction of a new Aldi. This was quite a gamble for the company as these stores are Aldi’s first business venture in Scandinavia.
American fast food arrives in Kanin fjord’s first McDonalds. Located off of Tyrveien on the lower level of the new aerial cablecar terminal. Now residents can enjoy a taste of America.
The intersection of Midgardsveien and Tyrveien is considered the center of Øvre kaninfjord.
The new aerial cablecar terminal, providing a connection between Øvre kaninfjord and the resort and soccer field at the northern end of Kanin fjord. The terminal is surrounded by medium density apartments and condominiums.
Tyr flypass (Tyr Airfield)
This is Tufjord island’s only runway, which averages roughly 10 flights per day. The runway and airfield is designed to only support small aircraft. The runway is too short to allow safe landing and takeoff of larger planes.
Residential development under the gaze of the Dvergfjell.
The end of Langdalveien
The eastern end of Floveien.
Small aircraft parts repair facility, and homes located along Buveien in the immediate background.
These three homes are built closest to the mountain on the northern end of Floveien.
New residential development on the south side of Øvre kaninfjord.
Swiss-inspired housing on Troveien.
Housing located along Kaninfjordenveien
A couple of homes located on Moslingvei.
Upper-class homes with some Finish inspiration.
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