Ah Nature

We are surrounded by nature: dense pine groves resting along rambling rivers, large pristine lakes, marshes, wetlands, bogs... all the ingredients that make a perfect home for - mosquitos. Arrgh! They are everywhere. Our van has become our prison.

Up until now, the mosquittos hadn't been a problem for us. We had been clinging to the coast where the breeze had apparently kept them at bay. Now we inland and there is no escape. John and I had been discussing a possible two day hike into one of the National Parks here; we have just changed our minds.We did attempt a hike earlier today; but a two kilometer stroll into the forest left us with foreheads of lumps. Yesterday it was the same thing; our walk cut short by the donation of blood. Yet I see people are out there; standing by the river, the mosquittos around them in swarms. How can they stand the punishment? For me, inside the van is just fine. There isn't enough mosquitto repellant in the world to get me to leave.

East of the coast in Finland there hasn't been a whole lot to see. Forests dominate the views, an occasional windmill. But the woods bring the possibility of spotting a moose or an elk or more reindeer. Scattered throughout the forested areas are the unique Sami lavvos (tepees), although most of them are set up as tourist souvenir stands. The souvenirs are reindeer antlers and reindeer hides, or anything else fashioned from them - fur hats, fur vests, fur shoulder bags and the tell-tale pointed sami boots, (yes, made of reindeer fur.) A few stands were serving samples of reindeer stew and everywhere are plastic dolls dressed in traditional, colorful Sami clothes. We stopped to take pictures and to buy a doll for my sister. The doll, except for the head, is made entirely of - reindeer fur.