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To the Edge of Finland

October 8, 2001

Kilpisjarvi, Finland

Dear Family and Friends,

Well, we started our drive to the mountains feeling more comfortable than we had been yesterday. I'm not sure why. The morning was foggy but the forecast was for above-freezing temperatures and that's what's important.

A mile or two out of Rovaniemi the roads were pretty empty. We were on a "primary" highway, number 79 and it would take us about half way to our mountain pass goal of Kilpisjarvi. The second half of the route would be on "motorway" E8. We had learned that motorways are far bigger or more important roads than "primary" or "secondary" roads. But so far, in Finland all roads had been good, though mostly just two lanes.

The three hours of Highway 79 passed uneventfully. We stopped for lunch shortly after we got to Motorway E8. Chopped reindeer and watery gravy over mashed potatoes. Real road food.

Back on E8 the scenery got more and more desolate and the road more empty. (Page #01) Eventually even the yellow line in the middle disappeared as the roadway narrowed to little more than a wide single lane. So much for any inference that "Motorway" implied autobahn or freeway.

We now worried just what kind of accommodations had we reserved in a place as odd sounding as Kilpisjarvi. This was definitely not the crossroads of the world, even if it was the connection between Finland and Norway. However, our place was just charming. (Picture #03) It is normally a summer fishing or winter skiing resort. Right now it's just a refuge for unemployed tourists. We have the entire collection of cabins to ourselves.

Across the road, Mt. Saana stands guard. (Picture #04) On our side is the Kankamaeno River that divides Sweden and Finland. We took pictures (Picture #05) that have Finland in the foreground, Sweden on the right and the Norwegian mountains in the distance.

This is our last day in Finland and it makes yet another lasting impression. Maybe the reindeer-on-mash wasn't so tasty, but the scenery can't be beat.

Take care.

John and Marianne

ps: Tomorrow, we go to John's grandmother's birthplace.

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Completed October 9, 2001

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