Mark D Posted December 30, 2011 Report Posted December 30, 2011 I was just informed by my bride that we will be in Finland this summer for a couple weeks to visit her family again. Exact dates to be decided in February, but for now we are thinking arrival will be late July. So in the spirit of my past trips to St. Johnsbury and the Catskills I thought I'd post to see if there was interest in getting a few of our Scandinavian and northern european friends to meet in Finland this summer for a mini p15-d24 Scandinavian rally. Sadly, I won't be able to bring my car with me, but I'm sure you guys can keep my mind off her by supplying adequate distraction in the form of 40's mopars and a couple of shots of Koskenkorva! So what say all you gents in Sweden, and Norway (even Germany)... Let's plan something! Quote
Uncle-Pekka Posted December 31, 2011 Report Posted December 31, 2011 Welcome to Finland, Mark, Unfortunately my D24 is still on dry dock for the paint job (been there >2 yrs, I prepare it by myself only) My intention is to spray top coat early next summer if I will find time for it. Anyway, we will find wheels and some get together event for sure. Let me know the time when you will be here and the location(s) you will stay at. Cheers, Pekka Quote
greg g Posted December 31, 2011 Report Posted December 31, 2011 Maybe you can talk Cpt.Fred and his buddies into taking a trip up from Deutschland. Quote
Uncle-Pekka Posted December 31, 2011 Report Posted December 31, 2011 Let's see will Captain be interested in riding all the way up to Finland... It is a long way and two or three crossings in sea-ferries involved, depending on the route. We need to find some event interesting enough to make the trip worth a while. Btw., here's how my ride looks like at the moment. It is supposed to be dark blue when completed... Quote
Mark D Posted December 31, 2011 Author Report Posted December 31, 2011 Personally for me offer of savusauna, a couple good beers and some good conversation is all thats needed to get me to Finland. I'm a cheap date! How long a trip is the drive and boat from Germany, couple nights on the boat and a few days driving? Pekka the car looks good in Primer. Heck thats about halfway done! I am sure you will find time to complete the paint. If not, well I am a cheap worker too. We will likely spend a couple days in Lappeenranta then drive north to Raahe and finally to Oulunsalo where the rest of the family is. Most likely an overnight near Vaala on the way north as well, that's where the family farm exists. Quote
Mark D Posted January 20, 2012 Author Report Posted January 20, 2012 Pekka - The tickets are booked. We arrive in Helsinki on the 25th of July. We're stopping in Porvoo and Lappeenranta on the way, but I will head towards Jyvaskyla from there before we go up to Raahe and Oulunsalo. Let's start planning something! Quote
Uncle-Pekka Posted January 21, 2012 Report Posted January 21, 2012 Ok Mark, In the end of July I will most probably be in Kokkola, west coast. As soon as the summer cruisings and pick nick meetings dates will be published, I will let you know and we'll discuss if any of those would fit your schedule. In any case barbeque and sauna are available at short notice. Cheers, Pekka Quote
Mark D Posted January 21, 2012 Author Report Posted January 21, 2012 Didn't you say your car is garaged in Kokkola? Would be nice to see it. Kokkola is practically on the way to Raahe from the south. We are flexible, no real schedule to keep. Looking forward to it. Quote
Uncle-Pekka Posted January 22, 2012 Report Posted January 22, 2012 Didn't you say your car is garaged in Kokkola? Would be nice to see it. Kokkola is practically on the way to Raahe from the south. We are flexible, no real schedule to keep. Looking forward to it. Yes, Dodge and Nash are garaged in Kokkola for the winter. Dodge has been there for couple of years now. My father has a roomy garage, well almost a shop with fixed pressure air, welding machines and plenty of good tools. Further, I would like to show you the sea coast there. My childhood summer scene... Quote
Mark D Posted January 22, 2012 Author Report Posted January 22, 2012 Haven't been to kokkola yet, will be nice to have the escort. I'll send you a pm with my email address. Looking forward to summer already. Quote
Randy L Peterson Posted January 22, 2012 Report Posted January 22, 2012 I would love to travel to Finland sometime.. I collect Finish Rifles and history of the Winter War.. It looks like a Nice country to go visit.. Although I have Relatives in Norway and Denmark.. Randy L Peterson Quote
Mark D Posted January 23, 2012 Author Report Posted January 23, 2012 Very interesting Randy, One of my wife's cousins from Lappeenranta (southeast Finland) is involved with a group that repatriates fallen soldiers from the winter war in cooperation with Russia. He's written a couple books about the subject and the winter war and has shown me some fascinating photographs from his travels. They've dug lots of old graves, you'd be amazed at the munitions that they've reclaimed. When you have the chance go for a visit. I've gone every two years since '88 and still see something new every time. Quote
Fireball Posted January 28, 2012 Report Posted January 28, 2012 Mark, gimme a howl when in Oulunsalo it's like 5 miles from my house. I've sold my D-24 but theres always something going on over the hobby here. Welcome to Finland! Quote
Mark D Posted January 28, 2012 Author Report Posted January 28, 2012 Mark, gimme a howl when in Oulunsalo it's like 5 miles from my house. I've sold my D-24 but theres always something going on over the hobby here. Welcome to Finland! Cool, and Easily done when we're on our way from our stop in Pattijoki. I suspected you might have moved on to another project when you went silent in here. Did your d24 stay in Finland with its new owner? Send me a PM with your mobile number, and I'll send you my contact info as well. Looking forward to meeting you in person. Quote
Fireball Posted January 28, 2012 Report Posted January 28, 2012 I will PM you Mark. Correct, I did sell it to southern Fin and built another HD in between, sold that after summer and now I'm modifying an Pontiac Fiero. Who knows what I'm building when you arrive :-) Quote
Mark D Posted January 28, 2012 Author Report Posted January 28, 2012 Now that's some nice chrome! Here's a thought, Pekka's got a couple projects down in Kokkola, maybe you should ask him for one ... Quote
Mark D Posted July 22, 2012 Author Report Posted July 22, 2012 Well folks our flight departs Tuesday evening for Helsinki with a quick layover in Reykavik to grab a few more passengers. Next couple of days here at home will be frantic as we pack and repack for our trip, and I have two days of work in the office to get out of the way as well. Arrival in Finland ooccurs the 25th at 2:20pm. We've booked a B&B in the city of Porvoo for the first night and will do some touring there if the jet lag allows. Jetlag's always a gamble with me, sometimes horrible, sometimes its nothing. The time difference from Boston is +7 hours ahead. Porvoo has some great architecture and we've never been able to fit a visit there into our trips, so we are looking forward to our brief tour of the city. Thursday we will head to Lappeeranta to visit a first cousin of my wifes Grandfather. She is 102 years old and still remembers my wife each time we visit. Tracey is excited to see her again and to bring greetings from the part of the family that settled here in the states. Friday morning we head north to Vaala visit the farm where my wifes great grandfather was born. It is a working dairy farm with close to 100 milkers. Like many farms in Finland it is 100% organic. Valio, the major producer of milk products in Finland, receives about 1000 litres of raw milk every 2 days from their robotic milking parlor. The farm is also a cultural center now and s still operated by blood relations of my wife. Over the past ten years they have restored many of the original buildings on the property and have salavaged, transported and renovated several other from local dairy farms. We will stay in one of their renovated cottages for a couple nights. The farm hosts school field trips all through the year, and also host concerts and plays in the old barn. Saturday night we will enjoy a concert of typical folk accordian music and some pelimanni (folk) dance. Sunday we will head to Pattijoki which is now part of the town of Raahe to visit with more family. One of my wifes younger cousins is completing her confirmation in the Lutheran church. Afterwards we will take part in the celebrations and will likely see many more relations, some known other not. Sunday afternoon we head to the city of Oulu, and will stay with family in Oulunsalo. We will pass right by the home of forum member Fireball, and will try to coordinate a visit while we are in the area. While in Oulu our plan is to do a little touring in Lapland, it is likely we will also cross the artic circle in Rovaniemi for the 5th time in my life (all in the same spot ), and then venture over to cross the borders in Sweden and Norway for a day or two. Any members in that area want to meet for a beer and say hello?! Sometime later that week or the following weekend we will head south along the baltic sea towards Kokkola and will track down forum member Uncle Pekka with hopes of sharing a beer and touring his "collection". From their we will drift back towards Helsinki stopping in a few places along the way when the spirit moves us. If there are any other forum members on here that'll be near our route, give a shout here or drop a PM. Will post a few pictures of our progress as time allows. Mark Quote
Uncle-Pekka Posted July 22, 2012 Report Posted July 22, 2012 (edited) Hello Mark, I will be on a sea-side summer cottage next week from Tue till Sunday afternoon. The following week (Mon 30th July till Sun 5th Aug) I'll be for sure in Kokkola area, either on some cottage or at garage. Do you have my phone number? (i'll send you pm) Have a safe journey! B.r., Pekka Edited July 22, 2012 by Uncle-Pekka Quote
Mark D Posted July 22, 2012 Author Report Posted July 22, 2012 Looking forward to seeing you as well. I'll call you a few days before we intend to head in your direction. Nyt avulla Toivottavasti sää lämpenee Suomessa! Quote
Fireball Posted July 23, 2012 Report Posted July 23, 2012 (edited) Welcome to Finland Mark, it sure needs to get warmer already! We've had a lousy weather for too long. Hopefully we find a spot to meet, I'll be in (Alahärmä) Powerpark amusement with kids for this weekend, then working mon-thu 8 - 4 p.m and heading to Budapest early morning Fri 3th of August with wifey. Edited July 23, 2012 by Fireball Quote
Mark D Posted July 24, 2012 Author Report Posted July 24, 2012 Hei Tero! I'll be in Raahe Sunday at a "confirmatio" ceremony at Pattijoki church, then back to family home for some visit and juhla. After that we head to Oulu. Maybe some evening during the week we can meet for a beer and some conversation. PM me your mobile number and I will do the same. Mark Quote
Mark D Posted July 26, 2012 Author Report Posted July 26, 2012 Quick update from Finland. So far two great days of touring, Leaving Lappeenranta tomorrow and heading north. Several old cars seen enroute today and one early 50's GMC truck broken down on the side of the road. Almost stopped to offer help, but without tools, and very poor finnish language, i would not have been helpful. It's late here and my internal clock is still set to EST, but have to force some sleep before the sun rises in an hour or so. More updates in a day for so. Quote
randroid Posted July 28, 2012 Report Posted July 28, 2012 Gents, I'm finding the posts about your plans for meeting with each other quite fascinating. My ancestors arrived in the US of A in 1635 and all were from England, something of which I'm rather proud, but I have had friends who's parents were from foreign lands and I've always rather envied their ability to jump from one language to another. I learned Spanish so I could speak to all the members of my friends families but it never seemed quite the same. I enjoy that you write salutations and phrases in Finnish but since I don't speak a word of the language would you mind writing your Finnish in English? -Randy Quote
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