Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise - or in this case - Homeward bound to Portland Oregon 

I think that we totally overpacked - but hey! we are on a learning curve here -- Next time pack lighter, bring home more stuff .......... TOTALLY!

Bye Bye Finland - don't miss us too much 

Good to know -- glad they posted

Just walking and not really having an agenda was prolly the best ever.  We saw so much, even if we didn't understand the signs posted in many of the places - we understood.  
This was a good time, a good trip.  And one I would totally do again. 

we got up really early - celebrated my 58th year - Satu made me a lovely blueberry pie, which we had for breakfast.
our train left Tampere and we took a 2 hour ride to Helsinki

Lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe Helsinki 

I loved the statues and the architecture - and I was told that even tho there were beggars all around - it is illegal.  I understood that these people are brought in the city by a bus, they are housed and fed, their job is to sit on the street and beg for euros.  It is sad when you think of it.  Are they there of their own volition? or are they there because they are held captive by a cult.  You know in the United States we have cults that make you do things because you belong to the cult - is this the same?

At the end of the day - on my birthday - we had dinner without my friends Satu and Heidi.  It was just Rick, Kelsey and me.  Satu, Heidi, and Julia - had separated from the group as we checked into Sokos Hotel Helsinki.  We never connected after that.  Their train back to Tampere left at 8:00 PM.   I was sad - as I wanted to say goodbye with hugs, but a Facebook Chat goodbye was all I got.  C'est la vie I guess.  I love and miss you Satu and Heidi.  Be safe in all your endeavors - Heidi do well in school, and Satu learn all you can about the tourism industry - perhaps someday ...

Again - it was really yummy.  Our waitress was charming.  Then we went to see Despicable Me 2 -- and here, like I think many places in Europe you purchase an assigned seat.  Not like here in the United States where it is first come to sit, first sit.  
Despicable Me 2 was absolutely fun.

Fishing at 10:30 in the evening - yes I went this time :)
That is Juha on the bank there - and that is my pole

Kelsey 

since no one else was taking pictures of our adventure - I tried to include me in the pictures also - kinda but here I is !

Heidi and Kelsey on the way back -- Heidi is the best fisherperson ever!  she caught several - Rick Caught one plus a clam :)  me, I caught none - but I can sure bait the hook now, and Kelsey caught one! -- Juha was just like me and caught -0-

We had dinner with Satu's parents and her sister.  It was really really good.  Many courses were served.  Of course I didn't take pictures during the meal.  Which was sad, but take my word for it it was yummy.  

The walk home from Satu's Parents home

Satu lives on this Road :)  we walk past an old barn

Her parents own the property that she and her family live on.  That is her mom and dad's barn up there.

this is the road that connects you to Satu's Road from Satu's Parents.  The street sign I understand says something like if you don't live here don't drive here.  and 40 milometers per hour = 24 miles - its a gravel road I get it.

We had the chance to see the Häme Castle in Hameenlinna Finland.  It is one of Finland's medieval royal castles and believed to have been built at the end of the 13th century.  According to our guide it was also used as a prison - but I think that was a building that was built next to it.  

It was amazing to walk thru many of the rooms - and if there was not a lamp in some, you could only see darkness.  The white rooms were quite interesting, the architecture of the ceiling was something I would love to have for my own, except, my house is not large enough to sport such a concept.  

Love the hearths that were pretty much in each of the living quarters, and the windows were set so deep within the walls ... showing the thickness - which would have kept the warm in and the cold out. 

After the Castle we stopped at the Hattula Church of the Holy Cross.  Where we were not able to go inside, cause we spent a lot of time at the castle - walking around the church was just as interesting.  

Hope it was a grand day for you - I know it was for me just being with you.  Happy birthday my prince.