IN SEARCH OF THE FARTHER MOST NORTHERN TIP OF FINLAND AND THE ARCTIC CIRCLE!!

We headed out this morning from Hotelli Inari and drove about 3 hours north and east so that we could find Nuorgam......far right tip top of Finland, on the Norway border! When we got there, we realized there was not a whole lot there. It is too cold to be that far north in the winter!! For heavens sakes, it is the most northern city in all of the Arctic Circle .... just look on a map and you will see!! As we went around a small curve in the road, we came upon this sign (pictured below). Wayne was looking at something else and I was trying to figure out what it said.....something about a "National Border". What did that mean. Wayne looked up just in time to see the sign and say 'We just crossed over the border into Norway'! OOPS...... that is out of our mission! We are not suppose to go there. We can go in ALL of Russia, Estonia, and the other Baltic countries but not to Sweden or Norway! Wrong time zone for our temple district!

We made the most of the situation and decided to take a few pictures. The rock monument that Way and I are standing by is the monument to the Finland Border on the Finland side!

You might be able to read what it says.....if you can read Finnish!

We took this picture welcoming us back into Finland! We were glad to get back on that side of the border. Even the road surface was different in Norway!

And here we are being officially welcomed back into our 'home country'!

Home Sweet Finland Home!!

A FEW RANDOM SHOTS OF OUR TRIP TO INARI TODAY!

Wayne talks about everything being so hardy here in Finland. Have to be because of the harsh winters! These trees are NO exception. Growing out of this boulders is no easy thing!

The SAMI people are 'known' in the Lapland area. We have enjoyed learning about them. Here a Sami lady signs a wooden spoon she made and I purchased.

We went to the SIIDA Museum this afternoon. Part of it was outside. As we were walking around, we noticed the tons of mushrooms everywhere. Mushrooms grow like crazy all over Finland. These red ones are beautiful....BUT DO NO EAT THESE....they are poisonous! Only the brown variety of eatable!

I found me a pair of these handmade slippers. They are so comfortable. Made of leather outside and lambs wool inside. Should be warm for the winter.

When we checked into our Hotelli Inari tonight, the temperature was there to greet us. A reminder that it is a bit chilly up here.

ROAD TO INARI, FINLAND

We picked our little (and I do mean little) rental car up this morning in Rovaniemi so that we could begin our journey to the far reaches of Finland.

We were not sure we could get all of our luggage in (which we didn't have much, but.....), we actually got it all in. Had to lay the back seats flat in order for it to fit! Should get good gas mileage.....we hope!

We have been warned and forewarned about watching for reindeer! Lots around and they are everywhere. "If the head is down and they are grazing, all is well.....but, if their head is up, watch out because they will probably run in front of your car". This is what we were told by several people. We bought the rental car insurance 'just in case'.....an extra 12 euro per day. Hope we don't have to use it! The sign above is a homemade Finnish sign warning to watch our for reindeer!

The professional road sign telling just where the reindeer areas are. Basically, the entire upper part of the entire country of Finland falls into that category!

You have to admit that this is a gorgeous reindeer! The antlers were so pretty with fur on them.

And yet another.......

And another small grouping!

And 5 more.....look carefully at the right end and you will see the last one!

There was NO shortage of seeing reindeer today! And we are headed farther up north tomorrow......wonder how many more we can spot!

Sunday finally arrived so that we could attend the Rovaniemi Branch and give our talks! Can't believe it finally got here!

Above is the chapel. It is a very nice building on the inside. I had a lot of people come up to me afterwards to tell me how well I had spoken and that they really enjoyed it! Wayne did a wonderful job. It is a relief to have that behind us!

After church, I gave a little cross stitch temple picture to Sisar Riskila, who is the oldest member of the Rovaniemi Branch. She was such a sweetheart!

And this young lady (I can't remember her name) is leaving in 3 weeks to go on a mission to Manchester, England. She will be coming to the temple as soon as it opens. I am sure we will see here when she comes. She is so sweet!

After church we went with the Kervinen's (Branch President and his wife) to their home for dinner. It was delicious. Chicken in a sauce over rice with vegetables and salad. After dinner they wanted to drive us around to see some of the country. One spot that was of a big interest to them and to us was a German cemetery where more than 2400 german people are buried in a mass grave. They were killed after World War II. Very sad, very sobering.

We then drove to a nice look-out ski lift so we could get a good view and picture of the surrounding area. Very impressive! What great people the Kervinen's are. So hospitable, so warm, so kind! What a wonderful day!

On the map...... "Lumberjack Candle Bridge" is quite the impressive bridge. We actually walked across it!

IN SEARCH OF THE STATUES IN ROVANIEMI

It started out as a rainy day but we were on a mission ...... to find the different statues listed in our little brochure! And we found them all.....and a few more!

This is a 'bonus' statue, not on the map....cute don't you think. A match! How clever.

On the Map......... "Brother In Arms Chain"....it reminds me of the Civil War!

Another bonus, not on the map......the Marttiini Knife Factory! Cool knives...we bought one, of course!

On the map...... "Lumberjack". In honor of those who engage in that hard work.

On the map..... "Clearing and Reconstruction" to indicate the rebuilding after the wars.

Not on the map but cute.....Moose (or reindeer) made out of concrete! Very clever.

On the map...... "Birth of a Mountain" with each 'section' getting taller and bigger. Very cool.

On the map..... "Monument to the Reconstruction of Lapland 1944 - 1955". A lot of rebuilding had to be done because of several wars Finland was involved with. They are a strong people!

On the map...... "Aurora Borealis" depicting the Northern Lights with a bird flying below it. This one is on the side of a large building.

A KICK BACK - RELAXED DAY! We are on 'Holiday' and we are retired and we can do that!! :-)

Today was our day to walk over to the Arktikum and spend the day. It is a very large indoor museum. It was only about a 15 minute walk from our downtown City Hotelli....but, of course, it took us longer because we made several stops.

Above: Our City Hotelli is located in the main downtown shopping mall area.....looking toward the main street it gives the appearance of being a 'mini-New York Times Square'!

On the walk we went right past the largest, most northern McDonald's in the world. We did stop and have a burger and fish sandwich with fries and milk shake on the way back to the hotel. We deserved it.....we did a lot of walking today!

Very popular style of condos in Finland.....everyone (almost) has a glass enclosed balcony. It proves to be a great asset in the long, dark winters months. You can get outside and get some fresh air without having to actually go outside!

We finally made it to the Arktikum! What you can't see is just how very, very long the building is. With 2 floors of great exhibits.

Statues, all very unique everywhere in Finland, are so fun to see! This was no exception. And right by the front door to the Arktikum.

Lots of fascinating displays inside. We were NOT suppose to take photos of most things. We saw another tourist taking a picture of this. When no one was looking, we did the same thing. This bear, afterall, looked friendly enough!

On our walk back to the hotel, we decided to walk down by the river. Actually the whole city Rovaniemi in located on a river. I loved this bridge the first time I saw it. A bunch of college students where by the river having classes(?) or something. Just a few in front of us, and in our view of the bridge, and many, many more loud ones behind us.

THE MANY 'FACES' OF THE WALLS & ELEVATORS IN CITY HOTELLI, ROVANIEMI, FINLAND!!

There are beautiful pictures.....all very large and more than full size......to be found in City Hotelli!

Here you can get an idea of the size of the pictures because you can see Wayne in the background, sitting on the stairs!

All pictures are indicative of animals and special people who can be found in this part of Finland. All of them were our favorites!!