The night before departure was calm and warm, but waking up in the morning still caught me a little off guard. After unzipping the tent, I discovered it was completely wet from the inside. My first thought was that we were in trouble and the tent was soaked due to overnight dew. However, it turned out to be mostly heavy condensation, a problem many other hikers were facing. This morning surprise marked the beginning of the final day of the Fjällräven Campfire 2026 event and our gradual journey back home.
Morning Drying, Camping Bliss, and a Free Breakfast
I tried to take down the rainfly and hung it on a hedge to dry. We got up around six in the morning. I climbed out first while my son rested a bit longer in his warm sleeping bag. We then went through the usual morning routine: bathroom, initial packing, breakfast, and final packing of remaining items. Our transport from the campsite was arranged for 8:30 AM, and we managed our time perfectly.
My son made many new friends during the event, and I’m incredibly happy about that. In fact, we both have quite a few friends and acquaintances here, and my son became the most recognized participant of the whole expedition. Smiles and greetings were exchanged generously on all sides. My son walked to the toilets and washrooms all by himself, completely fearless. I could see how this newfound independence in nature was wonderfully boosting his confidence.
Before we left, we stopped for a “second” breakfast. I had completely forgotten that the morning meal was actually provided by the campsite. We enjoyed some juice, coffee, and a pastry for the road.
A Bumpy Bus to Stará Myjava and Lunch in Říčany
We set off on a bus shuttle towards Stará Myjava. My son gradually fell asleep on the way. While last year I tried to keep him awake, this year I did the exact opposite, letting him rest – the more he slept, the better. However, he didn’t sleep well in the end because he felt a bit queasy. The ride on the elevated bus was very bumpy on this route, and I have to admit, I felt a little queasy myself. But we both managed it well and made it through without any issues.
In Stará Myjava, we took a short break to settle our stomachs and stretch properly. Then, we loaded our gear into the car, had our final goodbyes with friends, and could finally set off on our way home. We took the route through Holíč, Hodonín, and Brno.
Before 12:30 PM, we stopped for lunch in Říčany near Brno. We got a tip for this Restaurant na Návsi from my wife at home. We tried strawberry juice and spaghetti for my son, while I had a Kofola with a burger, and we ordered a potato cream soup to share.
An Afternoon Among Animals and a Look Back at This Year’s Event
At 3:30 PM, we arrived at the Jihlava Zoo. We had already arranged our accommodation, taken out the tent, and left it to dry, hoping it would be okay by the time we returned from our tour. The zoo is truly beautiful, and 2.5 hours flew by in no time. We saw many of our favorite animals, which my son absolutely loved. On the way back, we bought some dinner, picked up the promised ice cream, and headed to our accommodation.
Fortunately, the tent looked dry upon our return, but it still needed a good airing out. I ran my son a bath while I tidied up some clothes and looked for his pajamas.
Tomorrow, after breakfast, we’ll head straight home. This officially marks the end of Fjällräven Campfire 2026 for us, which was different from last year’s event in many ways. But I’m incredibly happy that I could experience it with my son and in the company of old and new friends. So, shall we do it again next year? 🙂 How do you handle your children’s motion sickness on long journeys, and what kind of reward do you most enjoy after completing a trek?
Day’s Summary
- Travel Route: Stará Myjava – Holíč – Hodonín – Brno – Říčany u Brna – Jihlava
- Travel Companion: Son
- Day’s Highlight: Afternoon zoo visit and son’s bravery at the campsite
- Weather: Heavy morning condensation in the tent after light overnight rain, pleasant during the day
- Lunch: Spaghetti, burger, potato cream soup, and strawberry juice in Říčany u Brna
- Gear Status: Tent dried on a hedge and at the accommodation, successfully dried
