The Northwest Passage

Heading east from Seattle on I-90, you will first climb over the Cascades through the Snoqualmie Pass. Good practice for getting over the Rockies a couple of hundred miles later, one might say. No sweat, says Sisu. Let’s just enjoy the scenery and occasional banks of snow on the road side.

Sisu’s travels continued April 21. Destination Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, as a guest of the Inland Northwest Chapter of Finlandia Foundation.

In Coeur d’Alene, Sisu is greeted by Donald Heikkila and Tuula Ezzell. We setup at the local library to take part in Earth Day celebration under sunny skies and in good company.

Next to Sisu is a tiny log home on wheels. Let’s go say hello to Mr. Frank W. Eld and learn more about his craft.

Frank is the premier log house builder/expert in the United States, we learn. We also learn that the log home style of building was introduced to the New World by Finns and Swedes. Let’s think about that for a moment, shall we? How common is a log house nowadays? Or was already when the west was being settled. The log house may be the innovation Finns (and Swedes) have introduced to America. Someone might argue, though, the one after sauna…

Let’s talk more about innovation. We’d like to hear from you! What is the #1 innovation Finland has provided to the world? Please comment in this blog, or go to Traveling Sauna Facebook page to cast your vote.

From Coeur d’Alene Sisu continues south along the Harrison Slough to Harrison, Idaho. Trip there includes the ever-exciting Fourth of July Pass. What an excellent opportunity to practice engine braking again. Going down hills temporarily improves fuel economy, too, notes Sisu. Good deal!

In Harrison, the Inland Northwest Chapter of Finlandia Foundation caters a buffet at the Harrison Grange building to members and guests. Sisu thanks by getting the sauna room hot and providing everyone an opportunity to take a sauna.

Sisu can only add a big THANK YOU to everyone involved in the stops in Idaho. Tuula, Don and Frank in particular. The Inland Northwest Chapter of Finlandia Foundation is a great group and has a long and rich history. If we only had had more time to hear the stories about the region, and Finns in the area.

Let's not forget the sunsets in Harrison! Spectacular is an understatement!

Next on agenda, Missoula, Montana. To get there, there’s only one if. It is called the Lookout Pass. Another moment (or two) of excitement for our 15,000 lbs combo but, once the Pass is cleared, it is smooth sailing for Sisu. The day is sunny, temps are in the low 40’s, the mountain scenery is fantastic! Sisu makes it to destination on schedule.

In Missoula Sisu has a date with the Finlandia Foundation of Montana, a.k.a. Montana Nordic Group. Finns in Montana are spread out so the the group operating from Missoula is looking to connect all Finns in the region, and also partners with other Nordic nations to arrange events and activities. We park downtown at a restaurant called Five on Black and get a nice number of visitors in the lunch hour traffic.

Unfortunately, Sisu can not be heated because burning (of wood) in the city of Missoula is prohibited. No fireplaces in Missoula. Sisu forgot to ask about grills. No grilling, either?

What do you do when there’s a sauna in town but you can’t heat it? Well, there's a solution to every problem when Finns are involved. Let’s go to Stevensville, some 30 miles south and park there! Problem solved.

The Montana Nordic Group members coming to the sauna party are mostly younger families and, before you can say "Holy smokejumpers!", Sisu is filled with kids enjoying a sauna. Moms and dads will have to wait. Check out Jenni’s comments on Traveling Sauna Facebook page.

Thanks to Jenni Rohrbach and Jenna McVey for hosting Sisu in Missoula. Jenni gets a special mention for packing the travelers a tasty lunch for the next day! Timo says hello, too!

Part 2 of the Northwest Passage, “Homecoming”, coming soon!

Sisu’s full schedule and up-to-date calendar, please click here.

Finland Centennial Calendar in the US, please click here.

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