COUPLE DISCOVER AMERICA ON SKIS

Tore and Nina Vingo set out on their cross-country journey through America to gain a true understanding and appreciation of their adopted country.

Seven months into the trip, the natives of Norway have found that and much more -- including each other.

The couple stopped Monday in Cape Girardeau, where they took a break for Christmas before getting back on the road today.

One year ago, Tore, 61, and a resident of Paradise, Calif., read an article about a device called a Nordic Roller, a type of cross country ski for use on pavement rather than snow.

Being from Norway, he grew up on skis and decided to give them a try. But rather than settle for a quick spin around the block, he decided to ski across America.

"I have lived in America a long time, but I have not seen that much of the country," Tore said.

While he had traveled quite a bit during his 24 years in the United States, like most people he went by car. Being enclosed in a metal box and zooming down the interstate, Tore said, makes truly enjoying the scenery difficult.

"You don't really experience the country that way," he said.

Starting at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, he set out on his trip in May.

On his skis, Tore keeps a pace of about five to six mph, allowing him the time to take in his surroundings. The real America, he said, is much different from the one depicted in newspapers, magazines and on television.

"It has not necessarily changed my appreciation of America, but has helped me to see it from a 'real' point of view," Tore said.

Tore has a support vehicle which accompanies him, carrying the supplies needed for such a long journey. Shortly into his endeavor, however, he lost his driver.

Enter Nina.

Prior to the trip, Nina and Tore did not know each other.

Also a Norwegian, Nina, 57, has lived in the United States for 30 years. She resides in Lake Tahoe, Calif., where she teaches cross country snow skiing.

"We were both raised in Norway and found we had a lot to talk about," Nina said.

She started driving the support vehicle on an occasional basis at first, but by mid-summer was on the road with Tore full time.

On Oct. 10, Tore and Nina were married -- in Norway, Kan.

"One thing led to another and by the time we got to Kansas we figured we would get married sooner or later," she said.

"We feel like it was meant to be. Now we can discover America together."

The pair has covered approximately 2,500 miles since May. They expect to conclude their journey in mid-February at Savannah, Ga.

"We really began to appreciate the enormity of the country, not just as far as its size is concerned but in its diversity," Tore said.

The Vingos have met hundreds of people from numerous different backgrounds during their travels and have learned a lot about the different regions that they never knew before.

"A lot of Americans do not know their country like we have gotten to know it," Nina said.

"It has really been an eye-opening experience."

For example, the Vingos said they new nothing about Missouri when the hit Kansas City on Nov. 10. Now they seem more versed in the state's history and lore than many natives.

Such in-depth study and taking the time to see as much as possible and meet and talk with as many different people as possible has slowed them down.

However, the Vingos said getting to know the country and its people is the whole point of the journey, not getting from Point A to Point B.

"We are never going to make this trip again, so we want to take as much of the experience with us. Otherwise it defeats the purpose," Tore said.