My Northern Home

Sodankylä, June 2020 I was waiting for it many days. In the news they promised it would come. I almost lost my hope. But then, the spring flood finally started. It was a time for a flood adventure I have always loved to experience the power of the nature. And the running water is one of the most powerful ones. It will make it's way. Where ever it want's to go. Now it didn't fit anymore in the riverbed. And started to take over the forests and fields around it. And houses of those wanting to live (too) near the river. With our bicycles we went to look for the familiar places around our city, now taken over by the rivers Jeesiö and Kitinen. It was exciting to cycle in the water. Feeling how the strong stream tried to catch our tires. Wanting to takes us with it. At some point the water went so deep That it was hard to cycle fast enough to avoid falling down. And my fatbike tires actually started to float like a pontoons. Finally, but not surprisingly, we end up swimming in th...

I actually decided to take my own advice quite literally. So on my way to work I stopped the car next to this small river, which I cross every day on my way. I started to walk bushy track, that was following the river. The place weren't magical or exceptionally interesting, but I was smiling. Just being outside. For stopping. The river is called Vaiskojoki I found a lot of beautiful plants by the river and nearby swamp. Maariankämmekkä or Heath spotted-orchid  (Dactylorhiza maculata ) is actually very common in the north, and yet it stands out from the other vegetation as an exotic Orchid family member.  Suopursu or Wild rosemary ( Rhododendron tomentosum ) is one of my favorite plants. I love the strong smell which always welcome me when entering to a swamp. Metsätähti or Arctic starflower (  Trientalis europaea ) is surprisingly common here in the north. I think it's really beautiful.  Mesimarja or Arctic raspberry (...