Monthly Archive for October, 2007

With Halloween just around the corner…

Published on October 25, 2007 in Personal. 5 Comments

…I stop to contemplate my past Halloweens as a kid in perspective to me as an adult.

Photo: When you think of how Halloween has become, it’s pretty scary!

I enjoyed Halloween in the U.S. tremendously. My parents always made certain that there were pumpkins to carve and my mother would always give tips or provide help with costumes. Dad always chose appropriate candies for the expected visits of small ghosts and goblins and kept aside sturdy paper bags for us boys. Before we headed out for “trick-or-treat”, both parents would renew warnings about dark places or strangers we didn’t know and to be careful in the dark. Trick-or-treat was in the evening time when I was a boy. Halloween was fun and…innocent.

Now, as I see how Americans must go door-to-door during daytime hours, often accompanied by parents in cars, and hear of vandalism and people being assaulted, and as I see how more kids are only concerned with the amount of candy they get, as they race from one neighbourhood to another to another with sugar as motivation, I question the whole idea of Halloween. How has this happened and Why do we continue with it?

I do know that my father’s last Halloween was not what he expected. No one came to his door. He was all alone, as my mother passed away earlier that year. He was sad, he told me.

I think the worst part of Halloween is the ridiculousness of Sweden having imported the holiday. When my boys were young, it was brand new and, as their parent, I felt it good fun and a cultural initiative to their American background. We had to plan certain houses beforehand to go to for trick-or-treating so they wouldn’t be disappointed with our own enthusiasm.

But, now, I wonder if it was worth it all. Sweden has made Halloween into something entirely commercial. This was the in-between-holiday that Swedish businesses needed to increase sales profits before the big holiday of Christmas came. And many Swedish kids use it as an excuse to create messes or other tomfoolery. Is this what Sweden, or others, really want? Is this how America wants Halloween?

Let’s take time out this holiday weekend and re-consider and look for better alternatives. Find time to enjoy it without the b_s_t that has been artificially created, and forced on us, and think of how nice it is to just be…! Stay safe out there!

For myself- I’m heading towards the mountains in Västerbotten!

A Tourist from Belgium…

Published on October 18, 2007 in Geographics. 2 Comments

…by the name of Gabby, participated in one of my historical tours this last summer and expressed a disappointment with Jokkmokk that there weren’t any well-marked paths near the town that visitors could walk along.

Well, I’m glad to say that just recently the newly inducted “Mill Creek Trail”, or Kvarnbäcksleden, now stands prepared to welcome walking anxious visitors who also want to learn about native plants and such.

Photo: When walking the new “Mill Creek Trail” in Jokkmokk, you may discover things like a giant ant hill

The trail covers the distance from Skabram Lake to the Little Lule River, a walking distance of just under 8 kilometers. Along this trail, of which part of it goes right through a residential area of Jokkmokk along the Talvatis Lake and past the Botanical gardens, the visitor will find some 20 signs explaining about interesting plants, common for the area, or even one or another special plant. Binoculars, for birds, and a camera are recommended equipment for the walk. Why not take along a picnic lunch?

Now, when visiting and wanting to jaunt in the bush, I could think that taking the whole trail would be fun but, as each end is a distance from the central area, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to start in the middle and walk one half one day and the other half another day, doing round-trip walks each time.

So, Gabby and all other Belgiumonianites…Welcome to Jokkmokk’s outdoors and have a great walk!

The Lapland Winter…

Published on October 17, 2007 in Geographics. 0 Comments

…brings out snowmobiles. If I’m not mistaken, Norrbotten and Västerbotten have the most snowmobiles in Sweden and, with winter and snow knocking at our door, these machines will soon be buzzing the forests, lakes and mountains. As a visitor, it is tempting to rent snowmobiles or participate in snowmobile activities, unless you’re ecologically minded. But, in all likelihood, you will hardly be met by a tour guide or tourist bureau that explains about snowmobiling and the Right to Public Access.


Photo: Snowmobiling along a marked trail in The Tarra Valley

As I wrote before, organized outdoor activities by tour operators, travel agencies, hotels, camping and cabin businesses etc., and there’s a lot of them out there, must have written permission from landowners to conduct outdoor activities on their property. These operators even include EU or foreign businesses conducting activities on land in Sweden for any activity on any land in all seasons.

Besides snowmobiles, commercial businesses organizing outdoor activities with dog sleds or just ski tours are regulated by this same requirement. A commercial operator should inform their participants about driving laws and safety with snowmobiles or ATVs.

You must be at least 16 years old and have a special “drivers permit” or be adult age with a legal driver’s license to drive snowmobiles. Also, snowmobiles are not allowed to be driven on bare ground, patches of bare ground, over new tree planting areas and drivers must show strict carefulness in not damaging trees, plants, fences, private yards etc. Use snowmobile trails marked on maps.

Photo: All tour operators must have written permission for commercial outdoor activities from landowners

Snowmobiling is not allowed within national park boundaries in Laponia other than the Saami, park wardens engaged in work or others with special permission. Please respect areas that are set aside for reindeer work and calving areas that are outside the parks. The local police, snowmobile clubs or regional government have this information and will help you with your plans.

Now, this may seem harsh, and especially when coming to Lapland and seeing that the “natives” do or say otherwise, but many regulations are for preservation. In this case, to preserve as much natural beauty as possible in respect for landowners so that others in many years ahead may also enjoy being outdoors.

So, when visiting, ask if your tour operator has written permission from landowners. Ask to see a copy (they are required to always have a copy at hand during tours). Promote good practices and common sense and don’t be misled by “local customs”.

Otherwise, be careful out there! Be responsible! Don’t drink and drive.
Snowmobiles have killed!

Autumn In Lapland…

Published on October 15, 2007 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

…is often beautiful but usually comes and goes in an unacceptably short time. Already during the last two weeks of August, Jokkmokk can experience frost and we notice that the birch trees are showing signs of turning from green to golden. As the weeks go by, Lapland goes through moose and bear hunting season, starting the first full week of September. Soon after this, the reindeer round-ups start in compliance with nature and life’s routines and continuing until the end of December.

Autumn is briefly remembered and thoughts of the dark winter occupy movements, work and routines.


New ice on a Lapland lake

I enjoy walking my dogs this time of year. Especially when the sun blasts out between gray clouds to brighten up my walk. I enjoy discovering fresh tracks of capercaillie, field mice, snowshoe hare or squirrels on a thin layer of snow. There’s life in the move. The air is warm when standing in the sun. I don’t have any hurry to the contentment of my dogs, who race around on the frosty and firm vegetation of the forest.

They say that if a person feels autumn is the best season of the year, then that person will have a comforting and enjoyable old-age. I wish autumn in Lapland was longer and not so eager to say goodbye.

The Great American Debt…

Published on October 13, 2007 in Personal. 2 Comments

…should be scaring everyone in the world! Its increase is affecting all of us and it’s reality is truly blood-chilling. My thoughts went quickly to a blog I recently wrote defending a Shetland blogger who declared that money can’t buy happiness. As well, I just wrote about how outdoor skills can be useful to everyone for future needs.

So, what does finding happiness and outdoor skills have to do with the American debt?


Photo- Pleasure boat sales at the Cleveland Sport Show 2006

According to a spectacularly interesting website by Michael Hodges, the American debt, “…defined as the sum of all recognized debt of federal, state & local governments, international, private households, business and domestic financial sectors, including federal debt to trust funds – but excludes the huge contingent liabilities of social security, government pensions, Medicare and other government off-budget items.” comes to an estimated total of $48 trillion, or $161,287 per man, woman and child! (Read page 2- What is 1 billion?)

Mind boggling, isn’t it? How will America pull it off?

With these circumstances, it would be difficult to defend any logic that America, and countries hooked-up into its economic system, will not wind-up bankrupt given time. It doesn’t take any special amount of education for that thought. For some reason, I have visions of a new Dark Age enveloping the earth. Economic bankruptcies! Climate change! Wars over fresh water! The apocalypse?

Photo- Tanzanian orphan collecting grasshoppers for breakfast 2005

So, as we consider our own consumption attitudes, other nation’s exploitation of third world peoples and other nation’s waste of the earth’s resources for unnecessary “things”, let’s also consider the true meaning of happiness and how we can better get along with our lives, with nature and with the outdoors using skills we’ve learned. We may all need them someday!

Getting Started in the Outdoors…

Published on October 11, 2007 in Laponia. 1 Comment

…is a challenging topic to give a simple answer to. There are many websites for beginners with an array of different methods and tips of getting started and the answer is very individual depending upon individual goals, conditions and capabilities. But, having learned outdoor skills, everyone will have developed basic skills and routines that can be employed in many varied circumstances.


Photo-Learning to safely cross a stream in Laponia

First off, I’m not referring to “survival techniques”. I feel that this is a fantasy world for those who need their adrenaline kicks or to prove that they know something more than others. It is impossible to predict what “survival techniques or skills” are needed for what circumstances. “Survival” largely deals with risk management, inventiveness and common sense. Heck of a thing to learn “survival techniques” in a British Columbia forest and find yourself stranded on a Pacific ocean island! What does one do then?

Here, I want to add that most outdoor and primitive living skills you learn will be a tremendous help later in your life. Examples of these are starting a fire in wet weather, correct clothing for windy weather or tying appropriate knots. Be it a trip to Africa or a power-outage at home, having learned to cope without modern luxuries will have prepared you for most anything that may arise. Guaranteed!

The smartest way of thinking, when wanting to start enjoying the outdoors, is to remember that you are a beginner. Don’t be intimidated by others with a little more experience. You learn things at your own speed, in your own manner at your own level. Like learning to walk. At a beginner’s stage, any small mistakes or poor judgments made will prepare you for bigger challenges later.

It is essential to ask yourself, What have I learned by my mistakes and How can I use what I’ve learned for the future? The more oftener you’re outdoors, the more experiences you have to fall back on.


Photo-Start teaching your child early about the outdoors

Parents are central in teaching their kids about the outdoors. Parents, who are couch potatoes, will likely have couch potato children. If parents are somewhat outdoorsy, the children will likely learn to be outdoorsy…or at the least have a base to build on.

Easiest way to start gaining experience is to go “camping” in your backyard. Just decide a peaceful clear evening, prepare how you will do it and then do it. Get used to solving simple problems like food, shelter or equipment…pretend you’re in the wilderness but with the safety of home should anything be needed or go wrong. Enjoy the independence, gaze at stars and think about life, listen to the sounds of the night etc. Do this with a friend and share the moment. Make it fun to learn about the outdoors. It’s lifelong learning!

Once, when I wanted to test sleeping overnight in sub-zero temperatures, I borrowed a better tent and a better sleeping bag from someone and “went camping” in my backyard at –32 C. I practiced a real situation but with my house nearby if something didn’t work out. Later, I knew what I needed and how to do it for other adventures in the mountains. (It’s interesting to wake-up in a tent that has frost on the inside of the tent. Kind of snowy inside when getting dressed.)


Photo-Winter camping in the Tarra Valley, Laponia.

If you live in a city apartment, join an outdoor group that may leave the metropolitan area for a day/weekend trip or take a bus yourself to the nearest state park or recreational area. Just for a day works well. Learn to make your own fire, in an appropriate way and approved place, and cook a lunch on this. Make a game out of it. “How can I be independent from modern conveniences?” Learn to solve the problems. Be inventive in this adventure of outdoor learning.

Another good advice is to use the library! If not Internet, the library is a world of its own with information and books on camping, outdoors, hiking, birds, first-aid etc. Use this! Read!

Again, hooking-up with local outdoor groups is a good idea. Scouts are great, but other groups are “outdoor active”. These could be local birdwatchers or wilderness groups. Some organizations have special hiking and camping groups or even organize nature walks to learn about plants, trees, geology, stars etc.

Lastly, whatever your wishes and goals may be, just don’t sit there…get out and do something. The more you do, the more you will grow and the more you will get close to yourself and nature for the rest of your life. And, stay safe out there!

Having Visited Shetland…

Published on October 7, 2007 in Personal. 10 Comments

…I’ve been in the habit of staying informed about these wonderful islands in the North Atlantic and found the BBC’s Island Blogging site. Naturally, I got hooked on the wonderful language of the bloggers as well as I keep myself informed about life there.


A gentle Shetland croft image near Eshaness, North Mainland

One new blogger in particular has caught my attention and, besides having a mutual background of living in America and leaving it to another place as well as having an exciting ability to write, she wrote something that I wanted to comment on.

She wrote of discarding possessions and backpacks as well as asking, ” When you are on your death bed, do you think you will wish that you had spend just one more day at the office?” She sounded like I do at times. (read- “Gift from the Sea”)

The fact of the matter is, a “commenteer” alias Flying Cat suggested that “It’s the things you can do with money that can bring happiness…” and continues with “…usually people who have none who insist it’s not contributory to happiness.” Therefore I feel I have to put my two cents worth into this.

For many years and many backpacking (trekking) trips, I have learned about the joy of only needing what you can carry in your backpack. I have food for the day, I become physically and mentally more awake from hiking. I have shelter against all types of weather with my tent. My sleeping bag keeps me warm. I lack nothing, but still I have such beautiful and rewarding entertainment with the mountains surrounding me…speaking with me and teaching me.

I’m sorry that Flying Cat hasn’t discovered this, yet. I would like to ask the question, What is it that money can’t buy?

It can’t buy good health or a Blue-Throat landing on the toe of your boot to say good morning. It can’t buy watching a bear kill a moose on a mountain slope. It can’t buy the midnight sun nor a steel-white snow covered night. It can’t buy perseverance against a raging storm nor pride from an honest climb upwards. It can’t buy honesty. It can’t buy inner contentment. It can’t buy life nor can it buy wisdom…nor…happiness.

Surprisingly, if one would spend a whole summer in the Laponia mountains, and you would have only a little money on you, you will have the same amount leftover when you leave the mountains. There is nothing to buy that you need and, still, you will boast of the most splendid time in your life. Something to think about?


Shetland coastline at Eshaness, North Mainland

So, in defense of Shetland: finally home, perhaps there’s some truth in what she is pointing out…it just takes wider eyes and an open mind to understand the wisdom with less possessions in this life…and it’s not too late since a death bed lurks ahead for all of us.

I do know, I can be better with this thought, too …now, back to throwing things away!

English for Swedes: “Commenteer” a person, often with others, giving comments on, in this case, blogs.

BLOG POWER…

Published on October 7, 2007 in Geographics. 0 Comments

…flashed through my mind as I drove past the Arctic Circle a few hours ago and noticed that the scrap there (see my earlier blog) had mysteriously disappeared! Simply amazing! I had to be fair to the Morjärv Clown and documented the site as it was today.


BLOG POWER?

Now, I don’t think he took the three hour one-way drive from Morjärv to just pick up his sh__t without taking his trailer of reindeer horn and decaying reindeer skins. My guess is that an anonymous person, with similar feelings about the site as I have, decided to clean-up before some serious snowfall came.

But, I’m fairly confident the clown will be back next summer. Just a thought…either I’ve developed unusually strong skills with PhotoShop or BLOG POWER really does work!

The Arctic Circle…

Published on October 6, 2007 in Geographics. 4 Comments

…has always been a special geographical highlight for me. From growing up in Ohio and reading about northern explorations by strong minded people who were engaged with discovering the northern polar icecap, developing visions of open spaces and miles of white rugged ice or imagining a harsh and challenging environment with unprecedented opportunities for adventure I would have shaken my head in disbelief that I would one day have the fortune of actually living near the Arctic Circle.

This is why it is difficult to explain the total disappointment I have with an individual who I’ve had a disgusting distant connection with these past few years.


The Arctic Circle along the Inland Railway

This individual, whose name will not be hung-out in cyberspace by me, comes to a part of the Arctic Circle on a nearby graveled back road during the summer. He arranges his house trailer some ten meters north of the circle, erects a crude, ugly and unattractive calamity of a selling booth and literally squats the summer selling appallingly low-quality reindeer horn and “souvenirs” to tourists that jump off the Inland Railway train on its way northwards. This year, he tried to arrange fishing and “bear observation” trips. He comes from Morjärv and does not have permission from the land owner to carry-out his enterprise…here, for most visitors, a geographically significant place.


The Morjärv Clown leaves his calling card…again!

Now, it’s important to note that Sweden is one of few countries in the world having a Right To Public Access. Another great country is Scotland. This right allows everyone to use, with responsibility, the land area of the nation. But, there are some points in this law that are interesting and should be noted by everyone visiting the north… especially in regards to the Morjärv Clown.

Firstly, when using the natural surroundings, it is expected that everyone takes home scrap and waste! Secondly, people using the land for commercial enterprise, in other words tour operators, guides or salesmen that are gaining profits from their businesses, must have the landowner’s written permission to do so. This includes overnight stays by the tour operators, salesmen etc.

The Morjärv Clown has openly and nonchalantly disregarded these laws for many years. I have reported him to the police but the manner of which Swedish laws are formulated or the work load of the local police have allowed the Morjärv Clown to continue getting away with breaking the law.

I would like to suggest a solution here. The man makes money from the train passengers. If the Inland Railway passengers would refuse to get off at the Arctic Circle or the Inland Railway itself would process against this man, then he could probably be stopped? If more people would report this man to the police, then perhaps something positive would turn out from this action?

I’m sure other incidents and examples of this nature can be shared, but I’d like to see the Arctic Circle continue having the adventuresome significance it has for everyone in the future without it being blemished by a clown and a joker.