Hope you get to see the northern lights on the trip Zap, and I can't wait to see the photos. But just in case the lights are shy, perhaps if you bring the right kinda mushrooms you can make your own northern lights show when you get there. I know this might make the photography a bit more of a challenge, but I have faith in your abilities.

pictures would be good. have fun zap, and we will see you when you get back!

Yeah Zap, Have a great trip. I've heard Finland is beatiful this time of year.......still ice-water-swimming weather......I guess cuz the ice hasn't gotten too thick to break a hole through yet......

Geesh! Can't a guy go out for some ice without everybody knowing about it? Ice-water swimmin'!! WTF, Kev! But beautiful it was (is). Lots and lots of reindeer running around loose, pine and birch trees, squirrels with long, fuzzy ears, a bit of snow cover and a whole lot of quiet. I don't even recall hearing an airplane while we were there, except at the airport in Roveniemi. The Aurora was a bit on the shy side but did make a briefly impressive glow on the horizon. And the temp was mostly below freezing, -2 to -14C. No 'shrooms, Larry, though I did see one growing under the snow near a line of hengey type rocks put there to keep Russian tanks out. And I could see Russia from my house! Well, not really. Had to drive to Salla for that. No sign of Sarah Palin, though. Must be on her book tour.

i have never seen a reindeer! (except in pictures) i do remember once seeing a few GIANT deer ...where was this...i think skyline drive. i mean there were some amazing things on that walk and then these ENOURMOUS---GIANT SIZED DEER, i mean like moose sized...and they were not moose! i know what deer look like and i have never seen any that HUGE! one i remember up on his hind legs...snorting and waiving his front legs around and then stomping the ground and back up on his hind legs snorting like a devil! and i am like, okay...nothing to see here...you don't see me...see ya!

"hengey type rocks put there to keep Russian tanks out"

hahaha...that is awesome

Secret Agent Man!