Another beautiful sunny morning. It was actually 22C when we
left the hotel at 8:45. The morning was a lovely ride again through lots of
little towns, past lakes and streams. They have chosen such picturesque
spots to place the rest stops beside these bodies of water.
We had planned today to be an easier ride not aware of the
numerous long construction sites where there was many, many kms of gravel – a motorcycle
pilot’s nightmare. Stopping and waiting for pilot cars, equipment, etc. just attracted hoards of flies. We passed two bikes who seemed pretty nervous. Met up with
them again later at a gas station. They were from Italy and wanted to take a
picture of us old guys – his words – to show his girlfriend who will not travel
with him.
We passed through the Arctic Circle half way through the
morning. Who would ever think it would be 28.5C this far north? We took the
usual selfie – well actually time delayed photo and added a Canada flag sticker
to the numerous stickers on the sign.
Wildlife spotted today – two moose foraging in the middle of
a “tundra pond” and three separate sightings of reindeer along the road. One of
them had a red collar on which we later learned is how the Laplander herders
identify their semi-tame herds.
One of our stops today was the Laponia interpretive center.
The lady there was so pleased we had stopped in. She put on a great
documentary, in English, telling about the wildlife and survival in the tundra.
She told us about her friend in Canada, showed us a picture as if we might know
her, and later showed us a map of where she lives. We think it might be
Newfoundland? This was the second time we were asked if we knew someone from Canada.
When we were ready to leave Doug gave her a Canada pin. She was thrilled and
had to thank us many times and give us hugs. There is a beautiful view from the
center looking over one of the many power stations in the area. Outside the
center there was a sculpture representing how humans had captured energy to
create electricity.
Many of the rest stops today had interesting information
about the area we were riding in. On one sign it said there are 50 days of 24
hour daylight in the summer and 20 days of total darkness in the winter with temperatures’
ranging from +30C to -30C. We are seeing evidence of the daylight hours and
most of the hotels have good black out curtains. We just keep getting caught
staying up to late, not realizing what hour it is. Don’t think I would want to experience
the darkness part.
Tonight we are in the biggest and nicest room so far. The rooms
have all been OK but small by North American standards.
Tomorrow we head further north, back into Norway. Maybe
reindeer steak for dinner? We have 2 nights booked in Karasjok, our
northernmost stop. We do have a couple of options for the “day off” so we shall
see. . .
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