Photos

Not too many clicks west from the Russian border, Linnansauri National Park is a waterworld, a maze of thousands of islands and lakes that collectively drain the Saimaa District. I was canoeing the region and stayed on this small island where I met some Russians who had made their first trip outside of their country. This one guy kept his eye on me...a little suspicious I think. I gave him some American whiskey and he became my best friend. Later that day I looked on the table outside my cabin and found these edible wild mushrooms the Russian had gathered for me as a gift. I had no idea whether they were safe, but he came to me and nodded that they were good, OK to eat. They were delicious.