Looking Up

It was a more overcast day to-day, but still beautiful; greys and whites all around.

Det snöade

It snowed all Sunday night and Monday, but by this morning all the paths were clear, even the shortcut to the lake and hiking trails. Now there is even more snow piled high on the trees! I spent a peaceful time at the library after tea researching for a short paper we must write.

Frosted trees

 The sun was bright this morning for our short walk to church. 

 By the time I got outside in the afternoon it was growing dim. 

Saturday's hike

Saw the town to-day and walked by the lake

 Jokkmokks kyrka

I wish I had skis

The thick-coated horned ones

To-day we visited more reindeer. Some were tied up getting ready for the reindeer race during the winter market. Those are the robust, lively ones. This one was an old friendly one, so we got to pet him (although they don't like it when you touch their antlers). He is a 12 year old male and his name is Rudolph (really).

The rest of the herd was more shy, though some calves came up to us thinking we had food. We sat by the fire in the lávvu and had hot blueberry juice with dried reindeer meat. We used beautifully carved wooden cups--really ingenious for hot beverages!

The lake and through the forest

Reindeer

To-day after learning a bit about the Sami language we visited the reindeer. Our hosts were kind enough to provide fika for us around the fire.

We are above the arctic circle in Jokkmokk, but on our way to the reindeer we passed the marker. It was a beautiful, clear day.

Sun Sets

It is darker in  Jokkmokk. It gets light around nine in the morning, but the sun sets by 2:30. Some days it seems to linger longer. To-day I took a walk and saw the last of it.

12:15

3:30

Last Look at Umeå

Arrived in Jokkmokk to-day. Here is a last look at Umeå from walking around town on Saturday.

On Thursday

I had a little time to myself at the University library and I stumbled upon the English linguistic and literature sections. 

We walked among the buildings and saw many skis (including the world’s oldest ski) at Västerbottens Museum.

Because there is not much wind here, the trees keep the snow on their branches. It is light out from about 8:30 AM until 3 PM.

Inside one cabin