a trip up north

A couple of weeks ago we went on an adults' trekking weekend up north with my sister and her partner. We rented a cabin in Kuusamo, around a four-hour drive from ours if you make stops, and set on the road on a Friday afternoon. It was my sister Piritta’s birthday, so in the evening her partner cooked us a delicious meal at the cabin after which the celebrations aptly continued with popping open a bottle of champagne that had travelled there in my backpack.

After an early night we woke up to a sunny Saturday and proceeded to hike the Little Bear Trail in Oulanka National Park. The weather was magnificient, the views were stunning, and after about three kilometres in (one-fourth of the trail) an old foot injury of mine started bugging the hell out of me. (It still hasn’t healed, and I’ve got a doctor’s appointment booked.) Nevertheless we proceeded as planned and enjoyed the fresh crisp air, the amazing hike along the river Kitka, and the warmth of a cup of coffee (or few) in the outdoors.

We spent Saturday evening lounging about at the cabin, popping in and out of the sauna for hours, and taking turn playing our favorite songs with the theme of 'hidden pleasures', from the songs and artists of teenage angst years to stuff we might listen to now if on our own. The evening stretched on, wine and beer were involved, and any thought of possible outdoorsy adventures the next morning were let go off.

On our drive back on Sunday, we did two fells in one go, taking a gondola to the top of the ethereally foggy Ruka fell in Kuusamo (above), then driving by car to the top of the southernmost fell in Finland, Iso-Syöte (below). My appetite for adventures in Lapland was momentarily diminished, even though we didn't venture to up to Lapland at all, but not completely satisfied. If anything, my hunger for sceneries with fells and mountains grew while eating; more weekends like this, pretty please.