Iceland

Iceland Adventuring

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Now that we’ve fully explored Reykjavik, it was time to get in our little rental car and head out to the countryside of Iceland. In no particular order, over our 2 days with the rental car, we saw:

Thingvellir National Park

Þingvellir (Thingvellir) is a historic site and national park in Iceland, east of Reykjavík. It’s known for the site of Iceland’s parliament from the 10th to 18th centuries. On the site are the Þingvellir Church and the ruins of old stone shelters. The park sits in a rift valley caused by the separation of 2 tectonic plates, with rocky cliffs and fissures like the huge Almannagjá fault. Of all of that history, I like the tectonic plate part the best.

This pathway goes between the two tectonic plates. I think that is so cool!
In an area nearby you could scuba dive (in a dry suit) to see the tectonic plates from under the water. This is now something Haley and I want to do!
The giant ridge over in the upper right of the pic is one plate, with the flatter valley on this side, on a different plate.

Geysir

This Geothermal area in the Golden Circle has hot springs, active geysers & boiling mud pits. We stopped just for a moment on our way to other things.

A geyser! There was a “litl geyser” too but he was a “litl” shy and never blew, he just bubbled.

Gullfoss

As you approach this waterfall from the parking lot you can’t see more than the top part. You think “OK, well this isn’t all that amazing”. But then you get closer and see how it bends and drops with incredible energy. This one is known for its multi-step cascade along a 90° bend of the Hvitá River.

I loved the multiple levels and the turn this one made. And it was a huge drop into the canyon.
We are so glad we rented jackets. This guy was cold and wet. Don’t be this guy.
Having so much fun together, staying warm, checking out waterfalls.

Seljalandsfoss

I just love waterfalls. I wasn’t sure I would be so impressed after seeing Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. But I was. And now I want to see more and more waterfalls! This one is a gorgeous waterfall along route 1.

There are 4-5 waterfalls in a row. You can see them as you approach from the road.
At the base of the big one. You could walk behind it but we enjoyed the view from the front.
Sitting at the base of one of the smaller ones, Haley declares she will never leave. She loves to be next to running water.

As we drove, we saw all kinds of beautiful scenery along the way. I’ll now flood you with pictures, as long as you understand that these pictures just don’t do it justice. It was so much prettier in person, but we did the best we could with our phones!

I think this one was my favorite. You can see it from in between those two rocks, like it had a room of it’s own. For being my favorite you’d think I could remember the name of it but nope.
Haley fell in love with sheep while we were there. Most sheep had two babies, including these little ones that were on the other side of the fence.
Pretty sums up Iceland countryside: green, sheep, waterfalls, and still needing a warm jacket!
These are called Skog Houses. They are built into the hillside for insulation. I love them!
Two more Skog Houses
This was a lovely little church we found in Selfoss. It was a beautiful day too!
A river running through Selfoss, with the purple flowers you see everywhere in Iceland.
Another view from Selfoss. This river was so blue!
We tried to eat cheap so we had a lot of sammiches, but we did try one Icelandic traditional food. This is lamb soup. It was pretty good. Definitely good on a cold day. It was $19 though.
I’m not sure which waterfall this was. It was pretty, though.

So after 5 fabulous days in Iceland, it was time to pack up, rise at a very early hour (although it was already light!) and head off to London to meet up with Dan and Zoe.

Haley and I like to describe Iceland like a cool Aunt: she’s familiar, but different. You find new things at her house so you look forward to going, but she’s not your mom. But you love her anyway. Iceland was like a big (but somewhat chilly) hug. Haley says she has never wanted to go camping before but Iceland has won her over! Thanks for a great time, Iceland. We love you and all your waterfalls and sheep!

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