Today We Almost Died

Today we almost died! I tried to pass a really slow car while driving to Övertorneå with Jessica and Zoe. I waited for what I thought was a good spot then I moved over to the opposite lane to pass. When I accelerated, the rear wheels began to spin and the car fish tailed. We we going about 95km/hr, which is 60 miles per hour, on ice! We slid to the left, then to the right, then back to the left where we went off of the road and into the snow.

Somehow the car came back on the road and we slid sideways across the road where we finally came to a stop in the snow on the right shoulder. Then the car I ‘passed’ passed us, and kept on driving. Fortunately someone else finally pulled over to help us get back on the road. He had a tow strap so we used it to try and pull the car back onto the road. I had to dig the snow from under the car and wheels, but the car was stuck.

Several other cars passed but no one else stopped to help. Finally one stopped and two Finnish guys helped push from the front of the car. We eventually got the car back on the road, facing the wrong way. What an ordeal.

We were very luck that we didn’t hit anything and that the guy behind us didn’t hit us. Next time I get behind a slow car while driving on ice, I think I’ll just stay behind it and enjoy the view.

A Dog and a Party

8:30AM Jessica’s Uncle Ronnie came by with the dog to say hello.
We walked to the market with Zam & Zoe.
Had some lunch
Slept again
Kalle made a Birthday cake for Zoe, so we had a little party.
9:30PM Zoe & Mom Sleeping

Switching to Swedish Time

SWITCHED TO SWEDISH TIME (9 hours earlier)

1:55 PM Zoe fell asleep nursing.
2:05 PM Just finished our first Swedish hamburger of the trip.
2:10 PM Zoe’s up.
2:15 PM Then we split another one.
3:10 PM Jessica turned on the sauna. Zoe is still asleep.
3:55 PM Zoe finally pooped! She was very fussy, but after pooping she was smiling (we were not).
7:45 PM Jessica took a sauna first.
8:10 PM I took a sauna next. Ah! It’s nice to sit in the hot sauna after such a long trip.
9:00 PM Bed time, FINALLY!!

Arrived in Sweden

12:38 AM Boarded the last plane. The girl with the window seat sat somewhere else with her boyfriend, so we had all three seats.
12:48 AM Departed from Arlanda. Zoe cried just a little on the take off, then fell asleep.
1:23 AM Just finished our breakfast YUM! Cheese sandwich and yogurt. Oh, and coffee!
1:34 AM Starting our dissent. Looks very cold outside.
1:44 AM Landed in Lulea
2:14 AM Kalle and Kicki were waiting for us at the gate. Zoe slept while we waited for our luggage, then we started driving toward Juoksengi.
4:15 AM Stopped at the Konsum market for some hamburger buns.
4:29 AM Finally arrived at Jessica’s parents’ house.

Here we go again

5:30 AM Jessica’s parents called to wake us up.
6:19 AM Mom came by to drive us to the airport. Zoe was still very warm and fussy, but we decided to go anyway.
7:10 AM Mom drove us to airport. It was Saturday morning so there saw no traffic and the airport was fairly empty.
7:30 AM We arrived at SJC. Checked in less than one hour before the flight and the check in lady complained that we were late and she might not get the paper work done in time. We made it though.
8:24 AM There was no one in the security line, but Jessica had an SIS ticket so they searched her. It didn’t take very long and we boarded the plane on time. For some reason we got Economy Extra, so we had a little more room than we thought we would.
12:09 PM We started the final approach to Chicago. Zoe slept all the way.
12:20 PM We landed in Chicago. I had to buy some new sunglasses because I left mine I the car. Whoops!
1:35 PM We checked in at the SAS counter then went to wait in a huge line to get through security.
2:23 PM Jessica tried to upgrade our tickets. Nope. So we waited in line for nothing. OK, time to board the plane.
2:24 PM Jessica started nursing Zoe as soon as we got on the plane.
2:28 PM Yeah! Ready to take off. Bye bye
4:46 PM We just finished eating some crappy lactose free vegetarian food. Steamed veggies and rice. Zoe finally fell asleep nursing. Only 6 hours to go on this flight.
5:02 PM Jessica said ‘I hate flying.’
5:10 PM Zoe woke up! Jessica said ‘I hate flying!’ again, and her tail bone hurts.
6:47 PM Zoe fell asleep again.
7:00 PM We hit some turbulence, so I somehow managed to fasten my seat-belt with Zoe sleeping on my lap, then attached the child belt around Zoe.
7:07 PM Zoe woke up again.
8:30 PM Jessica nursed Zoe again.
9:16 PM Lights on. Breakfast is on it’s way. I hope it’s better than the crappy dinner we had.

10:40 PM Landed in Stockholm.
10:58 PM Made it through Passport Control then organized our carry-on luggage and made a bathroom stop. Jessica bought a sandwich.
11:53 PM Checked in our baggage at Arlanda.
12:00 AM Went through ‘Security’, Swedish style, which means you just walk out. Jessica bought some candy and we ate the sandwich.

View More Photos