Th drive is very scenic. Well, you enjoy what you can. Lots of green and it gets even greener the further north you go. After Redding, CA there is a small mountain range to get over. After that, in Oregon, the highway is flanked with olive groves, fruit trees, raspberry and marionberry farms.
Only negative is that Sisu really doesn’t enjoy getting over hills and mountain passes. Going up is fine, mountain scenery, fantastic! But, heading down the 6 to 7 degree grades is not the most exciting experience with a 15,000 lbs combo. When other traffic speeds up, Sisu likes to slow down.
In Portland, the spring is in full bloom. A few miles north of the mighty Columbia River is Sisu’s next stop, Battle Ground, WA. United Finnish Kaleva Brothers and Sisters Lodge #24 invited Sisu over to learn about the history of the Finns in the area of Hockinson and Battle Ground.
When driving up to Gerry Adolfson’s, we noticed that people in the southern WA really know how to properly name their roads. Only the best!
Upon arrival, we are warmly welcomed by Gerry (Kari) and Alina (Bunny). A quick set up and Sisu is ready. Soon after, visitors start to arrive. A group from Suomi-koulu in Portland, lodge members, neighbors. All with steaming crock pots and other food to share. Food-a-plenty, sauna, good company. What else can one ask for? Read all about it!
Next, Tiny Digs Hotel in Portland proper. The hotel is a collection of tiny houses sporting different styles, like a Japanese house, a beach house, a barn, even a very futuristic, industrial looking building. If you are traveling in the Portland area and are looking for a place to stay, Sisu recommends checking out Tiny Digs Hotel.
Tiny Digs held a Finland themed open house April 6. Among the guests were the Finlandia Foundation Columbia-Pacific chapter, Finnish violinist Elisa Boynton, Alexis and Christian from the Tiny House Expedition, foods trucks, etc. What a nice and an enjoyable day. Hot dogs, Arctic Accident! Ever grateful to Team Tiny Digs Hotel!
For full disclosure: Check out this very special guest appearance. This dude works even on his days off! Tip: This jolly, old fellow resides in Korvatunturi.
Full disclosure #2: Paparazzi in Portland was relentless! Two newspapers and one TV channel were hot on Sisu’s heels for the entire visit! Check out links to media coverage at the new Traveling Sauna in the Media page.
After Portland, Sisu’s next appointment was at the Nordic Heritage Museum in Seattle, in the cozy Ballard neighborhood.
Nordic Heritage Museum will be moving to a brand new building later this year so go check out the museum, if you can, before they close in July.
In an true Nordic fashion, the program at the museum was very elegant. Let’s have sauna, and lots of it! From Friday 12 noon to Sunday 5pm, almost uninterrupted. The 1-hour slots were sold out weeks ahead of time.
On Friday night, the museum hosted a reception which was attended by an estimated 100+ people. Eric Runquist from Finnleo gave a presentation on saunas and sauna culture. Sisu staff fielded questions about the trip and all things between sauna rocks and hard cherry wood.
Mallory Araujo and Ashley Auddino from MetsaGroup tabled samples of MetsaGroup paper board products. We need more of the wooden pens, Mallory!
A warm and big thank you to Bunny, Margie Lehto and Kari in Battle Ground, Pam Westra and team at the Tiny Digs Hotel, the Kesala family, Eric Johnson and Eric Pihl at the Nordic Heritage Museum, Eric Runquist at Finnleo, Mallory and Ashley at MetsaGroup, the Lamberg family.
A very special thank you to Donna Antonucci at the Nordic Heritage Museum. Share the Nordic Spirit!
Next on agenda, Seattle to Minnesota through Idaho, Montana, and North Dakota. “Don’t care for them mountain passes. Will love North Dakota”, says Sisu. Stay tuned!
Sisu’s full schedule and up-to-date calendar, please click here.
Finland Centennial Calendar in the US, please click here.
Like reading about Sisu’s travels? Please help us bring Sisu to a location near you. Get a souvenir from our web store, or feel free to make a donation.
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