Travel Blog

PENTECOST IN SMILTENE (SMEEL-TENA), LATVIA

The isolated 40 mile stretch of road between the border (Estonia and Latvia) and the beautiful small village of Smiltene is reminiscent of Washington Irving’s short story, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”. Isolation protects Smiltene … leaving it somewhat unsullied by the distortions of our bizarre modern world. Surely Katrina Van Tassel, Ichabod Crane, and Brom Bones still roam the countryside here.

Our last entry in early June described the trip to Kemi, Finland to visit Klo Gay and Margaret. Now we are on the way to Pentecost.

Along the 40 mile stretch, we alternate between farmland and virgin forests. Occasional storks provide proof positive that maternity is still alive and well here … as “they” police the farmlands looking for a late breakfast of mice, frogs, or other small vermin. Bypassing the occasional farmhouse with a few farm animals, we speculate on which home may be expecting a maternal visit from a large snow white bird with an orange beak and long orange legs.

It is almost 6 PM. I smile to myself as I stand dockside looking at “Merilin”. The small (by comparison) … but fast … Ferry Boat of “Linda Line” would convey me and perhaps 200 other passengers across the 40 (= 70 km) miles of the North Sea between Tallinn, Estonia, and Helsinki, Finland. “Linda” has a second child … Karolin (= Caroline). My plan is to return from Finland to Estonia Monday at 8 AM on Merilin’s sister Karolin. The purpose of this trip is to visit Klo Gay and Margaret Doh who live in Kemi, Finland.  Today has been pleasantly warm with gentle breezes.

I booked “Comfort Class on Merlin (+ 15 Euros … = $17). Roomier seating with tables allows me to write to you. UCG is funding my travels into Scandinavia. I feel an obligation to spend wisely and conservatively. Comfort Class includes a glass of wine and a sandwich. The options for the sandwich are either chicken or ham and cheese. Guess which one I selected!