Last Trip to Rovaniemi

During the January temple closing for maintenance our oldest son William and his wife Darcia made their second trip to Finland, this time without their children. We had planned with two other missionary couples to travel to Rovaniemi. This would be the first time we had gone to the Arctic Circle in the winter. So the Harringtons, Larsons, and two Tippets couples loaded one of the temple vans on the Santa Claus express and traveled overnight to the north. We had been there four times before in the summer when the sun never set. Now we were going during kaamos, the polar night. We visited Santa Claus Village, Martini knife factory, the Arktikum Science Museum, the Ranua Zoo and, of course, McDonald's. (I wonder if they have them in China yet?) I have heard that Finland is the only country where McDonald's is located where they don't yet make a profit. Finns are fiercely loyal to home country businesses so many prefer Hessburger for this reason.


Even though we were there in January, the temperatures were just above freezing and the snow cover was slight. However, we were able to go on a late evening reindeer ride, a dog sled trip, and snowmobiling along the Kemijoki river. The reindeer ride was my favorite experience. It was quiet and peaceful except for the sled dogs howling nearby. The dogsled ride was less peaceful. The dogs were well-rained and wanted to run, run, run. Some of the sleds turned over and some of the bridges along the track were quite narrow. Each sled was pulled by six dogs. The guide told us that female dogs were in the front because they were the smartest, dogs being trained were in the middle, and the male dogs were in the back because they were the most impetuous. Certain characteristics are true throughout the animal kingdom.

The Ranua zoo was a unique experience--a pleasant walk through the snowy woods along wooden walkways. I think winter is definitely the best time to visit.