Detroit, Michigan – In case you haven’t heard, Detroit is experiencing something of a revival. This is my hometown, and I feel like Detroit’s imminent comeback was supposed to happen throughout my entire childhood. (Ie, since the construction of the…
We are homeward bound, en route from Helsinki to Boston (via Reykjavik), aka somewhere over Greenland. The Earth is amazing, isn’t it?
Kalajoki, Finland – Imagine a treetops obstacle course, with tight ropes, slack lines, rope ladders, hanging bridges, zip lines, and all manner of challenges. That’s what you get at Pakka Adventure Park. These types of outdoor adventure parks are opening…
Kalajoki, Finland – This is as far north as we’re going to get on this trip. So this is my best chance to sample some Lapland specialties at Ravintola Pihvitupa. We started with smoked reindeer soup, followed by Finnish squeaky…
Mariehamn, Finland – The capital of Åland, Mariehamn is a seafarer’s paradise. The waterside Mariehamn Maritime Quarter has long been a center of boat building. Nowadays, the atmospheric quay has ship-building workshops alongside art galleries, cafes and local boutiques. You…
Raseborg, Finland – We had a blast exploring the 15th-century Raseborg castle.
Hanko, Finland – We stopped at the Hanko Front Museum for a history lesson. The Hanko peninsula was the focus of the Continuation War between USSR and Finland in 1941-44. The museum is an excellent introduction to the conflict. Would-be…
Porvoo, Finland – Old Town in delightful Porvoo, aka Vanha Porvoo. The Finnish national poet, Johan Runeberg, is from Porvoo. Signs all over town commemorate this fact, including this one.
Moscow, Russia – While in Moscow, we have had a wonderful babysitter who has taken the twins on adventures all over the city. Sometimes I wonder if those kids haven’t seen more of the city than I have on this…
Somerville, MA – I wrote a story for the religious education class that I teach for four- and five-year-olds at my Unitarian-Universalist church. It’s the story of Bree Newsome, the woman who climbed the flag pole and took down the…