21 & 22 september 2003.
so right now is the time for finns to get out and enjoy the fall colors before winter sets in (i biked to class in snow this morning - albeit briefly - and the sun has just poked through for the first time in days, so it was good to get out beforehand) called ruska. tom, karolina, masha and i decided last minute to find a cheap bus ticket and head out. so... a 23€ round trip ticket to kuusamo and back was nice to find at the bus station, and a 10€ round trip to oulanka national park was even better.
strangest thing, though, kuusamo is further south of here, but more inland. i swear it was about 10 degrees colder than both rovaniemi and oulanka when we were there wandering around the bus station area (not an exciting town at all...). snow started falling as soon as we disembarked the bus. but, overall, a wonderful trip. only a 5 km hike to ristikallio cabin and back, but the most gorgeous views were had for only a 3 mile hike... a fire and some sausages at night were nice; a warm cabin heated by woodburning stove was even nicer come bedtime. anyhow, some pictures.
this is probably my last backpacking trip till i'm home, but i'm glad i got to do it - i decided after coming here i'd freeze to death if i went on an outing ... but glad to defy my expectations. this weekend, i will be going on the cottage weekend sponsored by the intl studies centre. so that'll be quite nice. another cabin, fun times, good friends, etc. pictures soon enough i assume. i'm finally caught up!
photos!
on our way, hiking; karolina and tom by the lake.
found the most amazing gorge! the name was very finnish... don't quite remember :)
the cabin.
karolina and masha checking out the guest register. chapel hill has made it in!
TIME TO CHOP WOOD FOR THE FIRES!
AND TIME FOR THE FIRE ITSELF!
starring the magical, mystical yeti-hunting stick (well, the only thing closest to the yeti there were the reindeer we saw...but still - good to tell yarns and whatnot eh?)
SUNDAY, time to head back home... but a beautiful day nonetheless.
kippis!
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