Sisu travels, Part 4.

Wednesday morning, March 1. Time to continue the journey and say goodbye to our hosts in Albuquerque, Valpuri and Sasha Remling.

But wait, there’s more!

The 2 Dudes who we met at the Bow and Arrow the day before were none other than Huli and… sorry, Timo and Wili, the two jovial guys from Arctic Accident who have been looking for Sisu, the Traveling Sauna, high and low for the past several months: streets in Helsinki, frozen lakes and forest in Finland, Super Bowl in Houston, Bogota, Colombia, even went to check with Santa Claus (“Joulupukki” in Finnish or, as spell checker just suggested: “Sauna Claus”!).

The Dudes turn out to be experienced truckers so, after a quick meeting between the Paperisotamies and Chief Sauna Ambassador, we decide to offer the brethren (lajitoveri) a ride to Phoenix, AZ, our common destination.

After our experience upon arrival to New Mexico, Paperisotamies Jouko had diligently filled out the DOT paperwork for the Arizona State on-line, and paid the fee of $15 to use AZ roadways for our rig. Seatbelts fastened, we head out to I-40 and west towards Phoenix, AZ.

I-40 doesn’t provide a lot of excitement, except that when we arrive to AZ we need to stop at the weight station. The friendly staff at the station immediately guide us to park our ensemble with an invitation to visit the office with the paperwork in hand. After some 30 minutes, Tour Guide Jouko emerges from the structure with a officer of the AZ Highway Dept. The officer measures Sisu with a tape measure, notes the dimension in the paperwork and gives a thumbs up. Jouko signals to hop in. "OK", we signal back, and Sisu is on the road again…

Once back on I-40, Jouko explains that the delay was because there was a line to the desk, not that there was an issue with our paperwork. We decide it was the first day on the job for the officer. Oh yes, we were assessed an extra $84 because the 1/2 hour Jouko had spent on-line to register was only for the trailer. Live and learn.

In Holbrook, AZ we decide to head straight southwest to Phoenix on highway 87 via Payson, instead of staying on the freeway through Flagstaff.

One of the more experienced travelers in the group, Chief Sauna Ambassador Risto, had recommended this route. The recommendation is first met with some suspicion as the road quickly narrows to a 2-lane highway. Nothing unusual, if you are used to traveling in Finland. But, with Sisu in tow, we prefer the 4-lane ones.

To everyone’s pleasure, the suspicion soon turns to ooohs… and aaahs… 10 to 15 inches of snow had fallen in the higher elevations the previous night and the scenery soon looks like, well, could this be Finland? Pine trees, snow, even a couple of snowmobiles. No reindeer, though.

Arizona is an amazing state to visit. Desert, resorts with lakes, snow and skiing. Grand Canyon, caves, Petrified Forest, Native American reservations to introduce you to the history of the Continent.

Descent to Phoenix is quick and tests the brakes of Sisu. No problems, though and soon we find ourselves at our destination.

Leena and Olli Tuomi from the Finns and Friends in Phoenix greet us at our arrival and brief us on the arrangements for Thursday.

Thursday morning, we head to downtown Mesa, AZ. First customers will be arriving at 11 a.m.

Sisu is setup to receive customers, and, do they come! From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., steady stream of sauna lovers, Finns living in the Phoenix area, and friends of Finland.

Even Batman pays us a brief visit! We don’t have time to take a picture as he is quick on his feet but, according to the waiter at Mango, a nearby Mexican restaurant, Batman is a 20-year old who strolls the streets of downtown Mesa daily. What a blast!

We all know kaalikääryle, cabbage roll, right? Serve it with mashed potatoes and lingonberry. Well, fancy having a meeting of two reps from the Kaalikääryle Capital of the World in AZ! Vaissi Oy in Keuruu, a town of around 10,000 in Central Finland, produces the majority of the cabbage rolls sold in Finland. What an excitement for the Chief Sauna Ambassador Risto to meet Gary Waissi of the Vaissi family in Mesa!

If having a good time and the visit of Batman wasn’t good enough, the one and only Mr. Ralph Tuttila, shows up with his lovely wife, Jaana! They soon unpack their gear and set up to entertain us with their tunes. Ladies and gentlemen, Finn Hall!

At the end of the day, we pack up and get ready for the next leg of the trip. Los Angeles. “Stay tuned”, as they say in the music world.

Before we go, a BIG thank you to Leena and Olli Tuomi, and everyone at the Finns and Friends in Phoenix! The day was very special, and we wish you all the best in your continued celebration of Finland 100 in the US.

A very special thank you to Judith Hunter, who drove all the way from Tucson! Sorry, Judith, that we weren’t able to make it to Tucson this time. Do we have to say that your "Sisu" ear rings rock!

Sisu’s full schedule can be found at http://www.travelingsauna.com/map.html
Finland Centennial Calendar in the US, go to http://www.finland100usa.com

Like reading about Sisu’s travels? You don't need to be a corporate sponsor to help us bring Sisu to a location near you. Get a souvenir (do we need to remind you this is a once-in-a-100-year opportunity?) from our web store, or if you don't need all the stuff, feel free to make a donation.

Like to read more? Check the papers in Finland, courtesy of Kirsi-Marja Hayrinen-Beschloss.