Workweek escapes are great, and they are even better when you kick them off straight on Monday, breaking the week before it barely got started. And that is exactly what went down yesterday, when we rolled out the packrafts behind the office after work, heading out on the sea to explore some of the outdoor islands and islets southeast.

Last weekend brought a warm summer breeze, and what better way to enjoy the cheery easterly wind and the sun than on the sea. So off we went for an overnighter, to explore islands and islets around Porkkala peninsula, all the way past Träskö, one of the first national parks in Finland (established, but later abolished, back in 1938). This early in the season, boat traffic around the peninsula is minimal (but ramping up fast once the summer kicks in), so we could have not chosen a better timing for the tour, mostly paddling in solitude.

Having a business meeting in Tampere yesterday, I dediced to take an opportunity to try and visit some of the outdoor areas nearby. Browsing around, I was contemplating between cycling and packrafting, or combining both, but eventually ended up just bringing the bike, and choosing the destinations accordingly. Out of the available options Kytäjä-Usmi and Evo outdoor areas turned up as favorites, despite the lousy weather forecast for the day.