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.
A favorite view: looking out from Puksa across the Research Station Peninsula to Kevo Lake.
…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!
This is the only place we could find that matched Ilkka's description of where to stop so I could catch the Norwegian bus.
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 big yellow bus that picked me up off the side of the road. As you can see, it is headed for Hammerfest, the northernmost city in the world.
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.
The small, neat terminal building at Lakselv Airport. Someone did finally show up to check me in!
I wandered around a little, thoroughly enjoying the scenery of the Lakselv area. Northern coastal Norway really is beautiful.
Lakselv sits at the head of Vesterbotn, a bay. 'Botn' literally means 'bottom' in Norwegian.
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!