Back in Borlange

So for my last day here, I wanted to explore a bit of the natural landscape. The town map showed a nature reserve with cross cuontry ski trails just north of town, so at 9:30 I ventured out.  I discovered the amazing ability of cold to penetrate layers of nylon, fleece and wool.  Everytime I sniffed my nostrils froze shut!  Spotting a squirrell in backyard tree, I was encouraged to continue on my course and reached the park.  It became obvious if there was any wildlife I had no chance of spotting them - my footsteps loudly crunched on the crispy snow as if it was sheet glass breaking underneath my shoes.  I tried to get deeper into the forest by following narrow foot paths but when the sun disapeared behind the tree tops the chill got worse.  At one point I was worried it would take me too long to find my way back to the highway, but it turned out to be just around a corner and over the hill, just like the destination of all the hikes I've been on. ;)  Nearing the town again, I started to see mirages (any documentation on that happening in the cold instead of the hot dessert?) of ponies at the edge of the road ahead. I was so excited, 'this walk will be worth it' I thought, pulling out my camera, then the horse turned into a loop of hose.   2 hours later, I got home and ate some soup to help thaw out.  I just looked up the weather report and am not surprized to see that it was -15 this morning!  I know Allen is going to say 'well it was -40 in Red Deer', but he never out for a walk in that weather! Oh well, I'm sure Vancouver will feel even more like a tropical haven when I return. 

After some last minute souvenier shopping I have 2 more assignments to complete tonight then tomorrow I will return to Stockholm and from there fly to Copenhagen.  I'm a little sad this is my last day in Sweden, its been a really wonderful experience and I do want to visit again - maybe in spring or summer next time!