Our trip to Finland started out on a pretty exhausting note. Due to last minute preparations and such, we didn't drive to Prague until 9 at night. By the time we got there, organized our bags, and fell into bed, it was just about time to get up and take the bus to the airport (3:30 am, weee). After some pretty horrible (and expensive) issues with overweight bags, some even more last minute poster prep, and a couple hundred laps in the Helsinki airport looking for our rental car, luggage, each other... we finally started our adventure.
After a 3 hour drive (what were we thinking?), we made it to Helvetinkarvi National Park. At sometime around 9 pm, we hiked in 2 km. None too steady on our feet, and with eyes crossing involuntarily, but man oh man was it lovely.
This gorge is what makes the park famous. In Finland where everything is relatively flat and monotonous, this thing is pretty spectacular.
The evening light in Finland is absolutely amazing. We took a moment to stare in awe.This was our first campsite. As tired as we were, we had the hardest time going to bed. Its a little confusing when it looks like early evening at 11 at night! I laugh at myself because I had been worrying about getting camp set up before dark!
Midnight in Helvetinjarvi
One of the greatest things about the parks here was how well set up they were. Dry wood complete with hatchet and saw. Here is Jarka getting ready to make our fire.
The next morning we went swimming. The water is so dark, it makes you look like you are on fire.
They often have these little huts set up for cooking or winter refuge.
WE left the hard way, just for the fun of it. Back out the famous gorge.
It was a beautiful hike
Since so much of Finland is sopping wet, most of your hikes are on these planks.
Fun frog
Fun lichen
Pretty pictures
Our second campsite was on a larger lake
Dasa and Jarka
Pretty place
There are often even pots available to cook with! Here's our gourmet meal all ready to go.
More firewood prep
More amazing evening light
I wasn't having the best of luck capturing it, but this one sort of got it, just on the lake reflection
So, it was a lovely first exposure to Finland. The only downside?
Mosquitoes!
Midnight in Helvetinjarvi
One of the greatest things about the parks here was how well set up they were. Dry wood complete with hatchet and saw. Here is Jarka getting ready to make our fire.
The next morning we went swimming. The water is so dark, it makes you look like you are on fire.
They often have these little huts set up for cooking or winter refuge.
WE left the hard way, just for the fun of it. Back out the famous gorge.
It was a beautiful hike
Since so much of Finland is sopping wet, most of your hikes are on these planks.
Fun frog
Fun lichen
Pretty pictures
Our second campsite was on a larger lake
Dasa and Jarka
Pretty place
There are often even pots available to cook with! Here's our gourmet meal all ready to go.
More firewood prep
More amazing evening light
I wasn't having the best of luck capturing it, but this one sort of got it, just on the lake reflection
So, it was a lovely first exposure to Finland. The only downside?
Mosquitoes!
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