As we leave summer behind and enter Autumn, I want to express my gratefulness to the Swedish summer I experienced in Abisko.
Abisko is forever connected to my first hike on the King’s Trail when I was young
But now it will also be remembered for giving us the only real Swedish summer in 2018
For its lushness, colours and Linneas – and for the only raindrops for three months.
No one can deny the beauty of the mountain forest and its shy inhabitants…
…hiding their freshness in the cool air –
…and silently showing off their finery –
But Autumn is here now – hopefully with more colourful strokes from Nature’s palette
Thank you – Abisko – I am forever grateful!
In the header is Lapporten (Swedish: ”The Lapponian Gate”) or Tjuonavagge (Northern Sami: Čuonjávággi, ”Goose Valley”). This is a U-shaped valley in Lapland in northern Sweden, and one of the most familiar and famous natural sights of the mountains there.
Driving towards the Norwegian border, we left lake Torne Träsk behind us heading for the coast and Narvik, Norway.
This is a rough, high mountain area with not that much vegetation. The Norwegians seem to love it and their cottages (No. ”Hytter”) are everywhere perched on the flat rocks.
Staying in your own hytte is in the Norwegian national soul just as our cottages are in the Swedish soul. They vary in standard from no water or electricity (the ”real thing”, according to many) to luxury houses.
The view was tightening, but we relished every minute of the chilly fog and the fresh air. Three months in a sauna is not my cup of tea.
Almost 30 years ago I took the train for 23 hours up to Abisko to walk on The King’s Trail (Kungsleden). This is Sweden’s most famous hiking trail, approximately 440 kilometres (270 mi) long, between Abisko in the north and Hemavan in the south. It passes through, near the southern end, the Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve, one of the largest protected areas in Europe. In the winter Kungsleden is a ski trail with approximately the same route.
Arriving at the same station as I did 30 years ago, memories come alive. I was 31 and I had lost my much loved grandmother the year before. I needed to think and to be alone – with only myself.
The view from my window is just the same…Abiskojåkka river joining Torne Träsk lake.
I hit the trail instantly, almost at arrival…eager to know if I recognized it…because here I hiked when I was young, alone with my dog, Amanda, and a huge packing (16 kg is a heavy weight for my size) because of her food.
At home now everything is brown or yellow, dry, burned down. Hot. Here the lush green and a temperature about half the heat – 18 instead of 36 C – made life easier again. Meet Lingonberries on their way!
Carl von Linné and his own flower came alive during this hike as well.
The fragrance of the tiny Linnea is stunning, when walking you hardly notice her, but along this path, you could not help loving her. She was everywhere. And I – I was happy.
Leya 
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