50 shades of green

We were now on the way back to Östersund, from where we would drive back into Norway and towards Trondheim.

Not without one last waterfall, though, Brakkafallet

A good spot for an extended lunch break

Before that, we spent a day in Östersund, so my human could enjoy a day in the large sauna area at the Storsjöbadet.
The pools were full of families and literally heaving with kids, probably not so surprising on a Sunday, but the saunas were blissfully tranquil and a great place to relax and ease out some lower back pain that has been bothering her for a couple of days.

By the afternoon the cloud cover had lifted and it was even possible to sit outside in the sun to cool off.

Östersund looks a lot friendlier with the sun out

Our last stop in Sweden was the Valadalen nature reserve.

The opportunities for sports are endless, from hiking, biking, horse riding and fishing in summer to skiing, snow mobile riding and snow shoeing in winter.

There are endless trails for everyone to enjoy. 

By the time we got there the weather had turned again and we hung out in a parking area for three hours before it was possible to even think about going for a hike.

The hike was cut rather short, though, since after a maximum of 500m there was water in every direction, there was just no way through anywhere.

And then it started raining again.

So, in theory, this is the way

Also this.                                                      And this.

So in her own logic, it made sense to my human to go for a swim in the nearby lake, since she was wet already anyway.

So that´s what she did.

Observed by a woman who called her "slightly crazy" as she got out, and a family with a young child that didn´t stop pointing at her while she was in the water.

Chilli, rather chilli

The following day looked friendlier and a hike to the "Pyramids" was possible, almost entirely in dry weather and without the need for gum boots.

This is one of the most interesting places here from a geological point of view.

There are clear traces of the ice age, including many springs, erosion valleys and dead ice pits.

Another small Sami settlement, still occasionally used

With that view you might as well leave the door open

This way to the Pyramids!

The pyramids themselves were formed by the erosional remains of the ice sheet and glacial river sediments.

One day you feel like you are in Canada, then suddenly you are transported to Egypt.

Scandinavia has it all!

Before we left the Valadalen nature reserve, there was one last hike we were told is a "must do" when in the area, the emerald green lake of Blanktjärjarna.

First, the well maintained trail leads through dense forest, until you reach wide open moor land. After around 6km, you get to this beautiful lake.

It is mostly feed by icy cold underwater springs which is very low in nutrients. This means there is very little food for algae and so the water is crystal clear and shimmers in stunning greens and blues!

And this is where this weeks ruminations end, a little prematurely.

For I will be left to my own devices here close to the airport at Trondheim for a few days, while my girl is taking a "little break" to fly to Switzerland to visit her other, human sweetheart.

Next week, we are making miles in the direction of the Lofoten Islands!