First Snow on Moss Island

detailed, fresh photos — I’ll show all three corners of this tiny island

Nov 22, 2025

There is this small island near our cottage shore, which we call Moss Island. I made a paddle trip there with my 3-year-old in the morning after the first snow had fallen. I paddle a lot, but this was the first time ever paddling after snow had fallen.

I’m glad we went. The island was truly beautiful. The snow had partially covered the moss, but it didn’t seem to mind. It looked as if it was simply enjoying the fresh white blanket, becoming even greener and more full of life.

Pour yourself a cup of coffee and come with me to explore this island, which isn’t quite sure yet whether autumn has already turned into winter. The moss is waiting for us to play hide-and-seek beneath the ice. I’ll show you all three tips of this island.

The island has a few old, thick pines, along with some young pines and birches. The island is only about 20 meters from shore to shore, yet it has its own little “places”, like this tip of the island, where there is a sharp rock ledge. The rock forms a kind of bench where we’ve had snacks many times, watched the sunset, and wondered about the world. There is also a large water-surrounded rock, which is easy to climb and stand on.

At the other end of the island, the side facing Mother’s Day Island, is the second tip. It’s also a ledge, but not as sharp or long. Someone has once made a simple fire pit there. The first time we visited the island, our whole family was squeezed onto two paddleboards. We had gone out wearing only shorts and T-shirts. We lifted the children onto that rock when a strong, cold wind suddenly began. It felt as if a storm was about to start, even though just moments earlier it had been hot and summer-warm. We hurried to start the trip back.

Then this island has one more tip, which is reedy and has no continuous shoreline rock. To reach it, you have to bend down slightly, because a thicket of young trees grows there. It is a birds’ area: In the spring, geese nested there. After the nesting time ended, we found many feathers and eggshells on the ground. Now I found a sturdy mushroom there, bravely standing despite the frost.