Reindeer at the Arctic Circle - August 16th

We had decided to stay only one night at Storforsen and continue driving to the north of Lapland the next day.

The nice lady at the tourist information not only gave us the multifunctional rain cape, but also put together several brochures for us. Our next destination should be Jokkmokk, a 'huge' city in the middle of nowhere with about 3000 inhabitants.

We left around noon and the Lapland weather was really good to us!

We drove about 100 km through the absolute prairie... with lots of sun, green forests, and white fluffy clouds in the blue sky - amazing! Yes... the lovely sun makes a lot of difference, it all looks very different in good weather, otherwise it's more like... shades of gray... no light - no colors, that's how it is! But today we should be lucky...

While enjoying the good weather and the landscape... it happens... in the distance... a moose?... no... we drive slower... a reindeer... right in front of us on the endless road... Jörn is there... no one is getting beer... how cool is that? Not even 5 km further, there are two reindeer calves grazing by the roadside... hard to believe, and not even 10 km further another one. I manage to take a few photos with my phone. We were really happy to see several of them... even though Jörni is still a bit grumpy because he hasn't seen a moose yet...

Just before Jokkmokk, it finally happens, we cross the Arctic Circle...! It's nice to see everyone stopping at the tourist sign and taking a photo, but stupidly we forgot the GoodHopeHut and Movinghills stickers... damn it!

Before we arrive at the campsite, we stop in Jokkmokk to do some shopping. There is an interesting crowd here. Especially a couple catches Jörn's attention, I can see his thoughts... that was a bit too super alternative... dreadlocks down to the ground, dirty feet and all... totally chilled out (Jörni always says that with a Udo Lindenberg slang, it sounds better and then asks afterwards where they left their "BeWo" contact person... Jörni...)... but!... each to their own! Because we do things the way we like.

The campsite offers us a nice corner spot, with a view of a beautiful lake. The sun rewards us all afternoon. The dog swims until it's dizzy and is clearly in dog paradise. In the evening, we have to put the tarp over the bus, it starts to drizzle. We set up a mini awning, fits for now. As usual, delicious fish from the pan and of course salad! We learn from our German neighbors that it's called moose droppings and not moose poop... ah!... we'll remember that for next time...

I go to bed early, Jörn waits until midnight for moose, wolves, and bears, but nothing happens.

Today the weather is colorless again... and it drizzles from time to time and we only have about 14 degrees... so let's wear long pants. A good day to continue writing or reading. Let's see where we'll go tomorrow.