Apr 15, 2009 - Proof of Spring

Welcome Back! A number of readers commented that Stockholm seems quite nice, but you'd prefer whatever bit of warmth you're getting wherever you are.Welcome Back! A number of readers commented that Stockholm seems quite nice, but you'd prefer whatever bit of warmth you're getting wherever you are....

Jul 31, 2008 - Aland

Eventually, we also reached the ticket office, where a young Finnish girl confirmed our reservations and payment, gave us our tickets, along with a yellow placard for the dashboard that read “Mariehamn,”and wished us a happy journey. ... Down another gangplank and into the capital of Aland: Mariehamn. ... Starting at Mariehamn on Aland island, the archipelago resembled more smooth granite boulders with occasional shrubbery and buoys. ... After waking up this morning and packing up our tent, we drove back to Aland's capital of Mariehamn. ...

Sep 14, 2005 - Torsholma

Start: Lemböte End: Torsholma Weather: Overcast with frequent light Rain Ride: 50km Awoke from a restful sleep to the sound of light rain on the tent, or it may have been water, formed from mist dripping from the tree above the tent.Start: Lemböte End: Torsholma Weather: Overcast with frequent light Rain Ride: 50km Awoke from a restful sleep to the sound of light rain on the tent, or it may have been water, formed from mist dripping from the tree above the tent....

Sep 11, 2005 - Mariehamn

Start: Finland End: Mariehamn (outskirts) Weather: Sunny with Clouds Ride: 20km (10km Sweden + 10km Finland) A few islands appeared marking our arrival into Finnish waters. ... The ferry docked on this land mass at Mariehamn, the only town in the Åland Islands, just after 2pm (1pm Swedish time). ... The main things I learned were that the: - Islands were first inhabited several thousand years ago when there were very few islands (the locations for the future settlement of Mariehamn, as well as Stockholm and Helsinki, lay beneath the sea at the time), but since then gradual land rise has greatly increased the number and volume of islands; - Basis of the islands is red granite that is used in road construction, which gives the roads an unusual red hue; - Islanders are connected closely to the Swedes, but in more recent times have been a part of Russia and are now a part of Finland due to a League of Nations decision in 1915; - Åland Islands are an autonomous region with and produce their own stamps; and, - Most famous Åland artwork is a painting of a peasant bride (painted by a talented artist who died tragically young before the Åland Islands could be established as one of the great art centres) After leaving the museum I ate a light lunch on the town's eastern waterfront (the ferry had docked on the western waterfront) and read the Åland Islands brochures I had accumulated from the ferry, and also from the Museum, with the intent of planning a ride from Mariehamn to the Finnish mainland via the main points of interest. ... With limited information, I limited my decision to camping outside Mariehamn then returning tomorrow to obtain the ferry information, as well as to access the internet to hopefully upload my journal entries for Denmark. ... I followed a well-sign posted cycle route out of Mariehamn until the signage disappeared and then the path was disrupted by roadworks. ...

Aug 18, 2004 - Sidetracked to Finland

So decided to take a side trip to Åland island in Finland. The rest of the time I just wandered around the little town of Mariehamn, population 10,000. ... She says it is very boring there, but I found it very beautiful and peaceful, which was a nice change of pace from the camp at Stockholm.So decided to take a side trip to Åland island in Finland. The rest of the time I just wandered around the little town of Mariehamn, population 10,000. ... She says it is very boring there, but I found it very beautiful and peaceful, which was a nice change of pace from the camp at Stockholm....