Saturday, June 20, 2026

Finland Day 5: Punkaharju Ridge, Finnish Forest Museum

We headed out to the Punkaharju Ridge and the Finnish Forest Museum. Forests have always been important to the Finns. One exhibit had kids pick a stick from the forest and say why it was important to them. Cute! They had a room with HUGE forest equipment including a tractor that walked.

Megan

Me with a tree person. This reminded her of the trees she saw at a department store display when she was just a few years old.

Matthew driving a truck simulation.

Me driving with the virtual reality headset.

Matthew

Matthew on the rocking reindeer

Megan liked this owl reading area.


This tree is also a cool place to hang out.

Me on the rocking reindeer. It is less stable than you'd think!

Matthew hanging out in the tree.

Megan with a flock of wooden reindeer.


We went on a short hike around the museum.
Me and U on the Pususilta (kissing bridge).

There were some sculptures along the path, most of them of mermaids.
"Hunger for life"

"Don't be so sad, you are not alone"

Megan with "Let's keep our treasures safe"

"Life here, here and now"

It is very beautiful to drive along the Punkaharju Ridge. Pictures don't really do it justice since you can't see water on both sides at the same time.
Runeberg's Mound, the highest point on the Punkaharju Ridge. It commemorates the famous Finnish poet Johan Ludwig Runeberg.




We walked along the Kuikon Salpa trail which had some recreated fortifications from WWII that we enjoyed exploring.
U, Matthew, Me, Megan in the fortifications

U, Megan, Me, Matthew on the ridge

We enjoyed some yummy ice cream.


Back at the cottage, we ate grilled cheese and tomato soup for dinner. Then we sat out at the lake for a bit. It was really nice :)

U's Step Count: 9415

No comments:

Post a Comment