So we got on the ferry for a 4 hour crossing to the island. First, we found a very comfortable lounge chair where Mom thougt we could spend the evening on, but it got way to cold and windy.

 Going inside to curl up in a chair was so much better for me, but not great for Mom since she couldn't curl up like I do and these chairs aren’t big enough for her anyway. They were very uncomfortable straight high back and a seat that leaned forward? Mom thinks the ferry owner rather have people awake to eat, shop and gamble...........none of which we were interested in

Arriving at 1.10 in the morning, Mom pulled over at the first rest stop she could find and it was a great comfort to stretch out on the bed.

We awoke much later than usual and this gorgeous view outside.

After breakfast, we continued on and stopped at a bridge which opened for some sailboats......

The water is green and clear, and the sun hitting the water makes it sparkle like thousands of giant diamond chandeliers.

Driving along we notice the police having a roadblock checking the sobriety of everyone going the other direction. It is early on a Saturday morning, so we suppose it's the day after drinkers they're looking for. 

Mom would have been fine since the beer is too expensive here, so she hasn't had one for many days. 8 Euro is not worth it, she says......and I tend to agree

Åland comprises of Fasta Aland on which 90% of the population resides and a further 6,500 skerries and islands to its east. Fasta Åland is separated from the coast of Sweden by 38 kilometers (24mi) of open water to the west. In the east, the Åland archipelago is contiguous with the Finnish Archipelago Sea. Åland's only land border is located on the uninhabited skerry of Market. which it shares with Sweden.

Åland's autonomous status means that those provincial powers normally exercised by representatives of the central Finnish government are largely exercised by its own government.

We stopped at a shopping center where a friend of ours met up and we got guided around Mariestad which is the capital.

Then we drove to look at an old castle that was built on a small island to strengthen the Swedish presence on Åland. The island was surrounded by natural water and moats filled with several lines of poles, while the castle is surrounded by a 3-meter (10 ft) wall

Other attractions nearby include the Outdoor Museum Jan Karlsgården

During the summer, among other activity days organized here and since the 1940s it is a tradition to erect a maypole here on Midsummer Eve. The annual Little Christmas market, the first weekend in December, is Åland’s largest Christmas market.

everywhere you look there are water and sailboats, such a gorgeous island, unfortunately, they have not had any rain at all for several months so the leaves are turning yellow like it's fall. Everybody is now begging for rain especially the farmers since they can't grow enough crop for their animals.

Maybe that's why they now use fake animals I'm wondering?

Waiting for her friend to return from a remote island she decided to stay and relax at the campsite located right on the beach. Gorgeous place............Mom says she has been here a midsummer when she was a puppy ..........but that's old news. This was the view this moring

this man from Vienna had a lot of interesting things on his car and trailer. Mom loved his shoe-bumper

We found a twin to Lucy

 sunrise is at 4.44 AM and sunset at 10.45PM

Lucy is getting new decorations almost every day.

we are having a great day of napping, relaxing and walking ................no swimming? but I did hear Mom mentioning a bike ride? It's 2 pm and Mom is still not dressed, so I don't know what she's thinking...but I don't mind doing nothing so all is fine.

life is great