The autumn hike is crowned by a moment together at the campfire and in the lodge. When grandma is there, all the goodies are there too,” says Lotta Hulkko, summing up the atmosphere.
You don’t have to go fishing further out to sea on your autumn break, but you can also enjoy the experiences of local tourism. Local nature spots, long poles and lodges have been in heavy use this week.
The magic of water and hilly terrain
Hulko’s group chose the picturesque Katika Canyon as their destination. It is located in the Kauhaneva-Pohjankankaan National Park.
The canyon has been formed by the force of the flowing water as it has hardened its way through the soft sand.
The walls of the canyon are steep and filled with fir trees, and the bottom of the canyon has its own world.
“Somebody always blows up”
The first paces of the brisk autumn trip were already struck in the parking lot. Benjamin Hulkko decided to take one more friend with him, football. Carrying the ball turned out to be the challenge of the autumn trip.
While some of the Kuopi group were already on their way, some were already dreaming of frying sausages and soot pot coffee.
– These trips always turn out to be so funny. This is normal for someone to always fall into the water. Usually on summer trips someone gets completely wet, but now only one foot got wet, Joni Hulkko repeats family traditions halfway through the trip.
A little competition
Although the older children climbed tree trunks over the water and stepped from one stone to another, experienced nature visitor Joni Hulkko took a dip in the water himself.
Nephew Benjamin’s challenge had to be answered. He threw the ball on the island and tricked his uncle into picking it up. It was a couple of meters to dry land.
– I measured and thought that’s it and that, can I jump. I jumped and one foot went in the water. Fortunately, I was wearing a wool sock, which doesn’t get wet like a cotton sock.
Joni Hulkko admits that he is already starting to fall behind his nephew both in running times and in other sports.
– Benjamin and I always have a little competition going on.
Drizzling departure, good mood on arrival
Hulko’s family admits that it is not always the easiest way to go on a nature trip.
– Going to the forest can be difficult, but once you get there, you usually feel good about everything.
The youngest of the excursion group, 4-year-old Joel, can run for a long time. He doesn’t have time to take walking steps, but when his strength fades, he remembers the backpack ride with his brothers and cousins.
– You have to take good care of your little brother so that he has good memories of the trip, Benjamin Hulkko knows.
Soot pot coffee, sausages and other grandma’s delicacies
The fall tour is crowned by a log cabin and campfire site. Arsi Hulkko has carried a few liter water canister in his backpack the whole way. Soot pot coffees are made from it. Sausages appear on the campfire and a quick soup is prepared with the camping stove. Sandwiches and juices are of course also included.
– It’s when grandma is there, all the goodies are also there, says 16-year-old Lotta Hulkko.
– Yes, with these snacks, you could do another round, Johanna Hulkko praises her mother-in-law’s snacks.
Is this the best moment?
– Absolutely. First, you’ve gone there in the wonderful nature, and then everyone asks if you can get either that sausage. And everything that I have carried here, that is, supported by others, Raakel Hulkko laughs.
There have also been good moments with the grandchildren along the nature tour.
– They deliver good stuff and cheer grandma uphill.
Sometimes secrets are told in the forest.
– In the middle of the forest, the mind opens up in a different way than inside four walls, says Raakel Hulkko.
Climbing trees were missing
Jacob Hulkko habitually carves a sausage stick and blinks a little more in the treetops.
– I like to climb trees, but there weren’t any here now, Jacob Hulkko says.
The forest is full of trees, isn’t it?
– But they don’t have decent climbing sections.
How is the end of the holiday going?
– Let’s hang out. Let’s hang out with friends, do everything fun, watch movies and be at home with the family, the 12-year-old plans.