Foreword
Writing is my way of breathing. And today, I breathe gratitude – for the night, the morning, and the journey we’ve been on. Here are a few words from our moment in Vilhelmina, before we begin our way home again.
Gratitude as a Way of Life
A new day to live. A new day to breathe.
I often feel gratitude just for waking up – simply opening my eyes and starting over is something I no longer take for granted. The more years that pass, the more I live in thoughts of thankfulness. It’s as if growing older peels away the noise and makes space for what truly matters.
Morning in Vilhelmina – Fully Charged
Today, I live inside my gratitudes.
Grateful for a good night’s sleep.
Grateful that we arrived here in Vilhelmina.
And grateful that we begin our journey home today.
I don’t know how far we’ll go – maybe all the way to Mora, or perhaps we’ll stop in Östersund for the night. There are many miles to travel, but we’ll take them at our own pace.
All the Miles Behind Us
What a journey we’ve had!
So many experiences, so many miles – and most of all: so much we’ve shared. Me, my husband, and the little one. Yesterday, when we arrived here, it was time to recharge – both body and devices. Vacuum cleaner, toothbrush, laptops – everything needed a boost before the new day.
We mostly camp to enjoy a warm shower and recharge everything. Others at the campgrounds sit outside, socialize, grill, and enjoy the camping life. We do the other things – prepare food, shower, tidy up for the night. Then we curl up with our phones or computers for a little while, before sleep takes us. I don’t think we’ve stayed up late even once. All those miles and moments make us tired by nightfall.
A Tiredness You Feel in Your Bones
Last night, I was writing a blog post, yawning through every sentence. Tears streamed down my cheeks from all the yawning. And the moment my head hit the pillow, I was gone.
Långfil – A Northern Breakfast Love
At our stop in Blåsjön, I found something I’d been longing for – långfil!
Långfil is a traditional northern Swedish fermented milk product – thicker than regular yogurt and with a soft, tangy taste. It forms long, silky threads when stirred – hence the name. For many, it’s a childhood favorite and a true symbol of northern Swedish breakfast culture. Sometimes, you can sprinkle a little cinnamon, ginger, or sugar on top – and it becomes pure delight.
So today, I’m treating myself to a proper northern breakfast with långfil. And a quiet smile – because this morning feels exactly as it should.
Stekenjokk – A Mountain Landscape to Carry with You
During our journey, we passed Stekenjokk, a place you can’t describe without pausing to take a deeper breath.
Stekenjokk is one of Sweden’s highest roads, stretching across a mountain plateau in the borderlands between Jämtland and Lapland. The landscape opens like a skyward roof. Rugged mountains, melting snow streams, and patches of snow that linger well into summer. The nature here is powerful – wild and wind-worn, yet calming.
For the little one, it was the snow in June that stood out. For us, it was the silence, the vastness, and the feeling of being just a tiny dot in something so much greater.
A Journey for the Memory Bank
The little one may have spent a lot of time with his phone or laptop, but he still got to experience the landscapes of Norway and northern Sweden. Now he can say “I’ve been there” – and truly know what it looks like. He knows now how quickly the weather changes here – from sun to storm in a snap.
He can say, “Yes, I remember – the wind up there really can blow!”
And we’ve felt that – not once, but twice. Winds so strong you could barely walk forward. A force you have to both respect and remember.
Heading Home – With a Heart Full
Now we’re packing up, charging the last devices, and slowly heading home.
A journey is never just roads and rest stops – it’s memories, emotions, and lessons.
And I’m truly grateful for every step.
Writing Time Among Fjäll and Fil
Something else I’ve carried with me on this trip is words.
I’ve had time to write – and more importantly, time to listen. To my own thoughts. To the wind in the mountains. To the silence.
It was here, during this journey, that a new title for a future story arrived. It’s still just a seed. But The Winged Horse – that tale is growing.
Right now, I’m actively working on writing the full story of The Winged Horse, Alfred, and Tom. It’s a tale that has grown slowly over time – piece by piece, image by image – and now it’s taking shape as a real book. A book I plan to publish when it’s ready.
The illustrations are created with help from AI, but the story, the voice, the emotion – that’s all mine. It’s my story – born in a camper van, carried by forest stillness, silence, and imagination. And maybe the mountain winds have whispered a few extra lines along the way.
Would you like to follow the journey as I work on the book? You can read more here on my blog, under the tag The Winged Horse.
Would you like to get a message when the book is ready?
Feel free to leave a comment or send me an email – I’d love that.
Thank you for reading.
If you’d like to follow more of our travels and everyday moments, feel free to comment or share your own stories.
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Live well. And don’t forget to breathe.
/Carina – malix.se
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