16 June 2013 Farewell to Finland

It is time for this adventure to close. I walked up Puksa behind the research station this morning, for one last look out across Kevo Lake and the fells of the Utsjoki Valley. This really has been a fantastic place to live and learn, and I am sorry to leave. I feel I am leaving lots of new friends to stay in touch with.

…But One Last Stop

However, I am off to visit a friend in Tromso, Norway before heading back to Fairbanks. After Elina helped me with some Internet bus research, Kim took me across the Finland/Norway border at Utsjoki, where we found a pullout. Yes you read that correctly – not a bus stop, but an area off the road big enough for Kim to back her car into. Ilkka had told us this is the place to be!

We had estimated the time that the bus should come by, as Utsjoki is between two published stops along the bus route. I was just saying to Kim that "it should come right around now" when lo, a huge yellow bus popped into view over the rise. We waved, and it stopped. The driver came out with a big smile and a 'no problem' attitude. Obviously this really is the way to catch a bus in these parts!

The bus ride took me west along the Teno River that separates Finland and Norway. We then turned north to Lakselv, where an airport serves this region. As it turned out, my arrival by the only bus possible was really early compared to my flight time. I found myself the only person in a seemingly deserted but very pleasant little terminal.

I wandered around a little, thoroughly enjoying the scenery of the Lakselv area. Northern coastal Norway really is beautiful.

Not the End

I do have more to say about things I have learned during my time in Finland. However, I will no longer be trying to post every day. Thanks so much for all the reading you have done to this point!

I also need to send a shout-out to all my PolarTREC colleagues. During our orientation in Fairbanks in March, Alex, one of the PolarTREC alumni, presented us all with some very special glasses. The point she was making was that whatever else happens, we should have fun on our PolarTREC expedition.

I definitely accomplished that goal, as you can tell. This little video also represents a big KIITOS!! (thank you) to the people of Kevo SubArctic Research Station for their warmth, friendship, assistance, and wonderful collaborative spirit…

http://youtu.be/lHndlHsTieQ

If anyone is wondering, Elvis liked it so much at Kevo (especially hanging with Poro the Reindeer) that he decided to stay there. However, he did mention that he would be happy to swing by and help with the field research of other PolarTREC teachers this summer!