ICELAND Part V ~ Glacier Hike with Kyle

Our guide Kyle taking us to our next adventure on the Sólheimajökull Glacier, a glacier tongue extending from the Mýrdalsjökull Glacier, an icecap covering the Katla volcano.  The black we see is lava ash from past eruptions.
Most of us remember the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjnallajokull which covered the glacier with this black ash.  But the ash we will see today is not from Eyjafjnallajokull's eruption but from Katla's last eruption back in 1918.

Layers of ice holding it in place for the past 100 years.

Outfitted with crampons, an ice axe and a hard hat we begin our climb.  This is an exceedingly wet location.  Throughout our climb we received rain, a bit of sunshine followed by a snow squall.   An ever changing landscape within this region of Iceland creates an awareness and awe as we set off on our challenge. 

Along the shores we passed by a sign showing how much the glacier had receded in the past decade.

One by one we trusted our crampons up the frozen crevasse.

There were dips and holes

and views that made you stop and pause.       How lucky am I!

Kyle was wonderful in sharing his knowledge of the glacier and we were intrigued although cautious as we explored.

...not too close on this one

This was  deemed the men's bathroom!

We gelled as a group - many laughs - conversations - enjoying the great outdoors and new experiences together.

Taking home with us a new understanding of just how small we are in this world.

Layers of black ash 

creating a black sand beach 

along the lake 

Beauty - 'still life' - gracious

GLACIER

enjoy,

k

ICELAND Part IV ~ Warm Greetings Followed by Dancing In the Night

Continuing on our journey through Iceland...
After a full day of exploration and discovery we traveled on to our farmhouse.  We made our way back "home" to Alftroo.  It had been a wet day and the inside of our bus was dampened.  You could hear the calm breathing from our resting bunch as we were winding down our day.  Me, with one eye open, watched as the sun poked through the clouds for a short time.  I could see the storm that was to follow and when it hit it was in the form of snow.

It was brief - a short blast.

It left the countryside covered with a "confectioners sugar" coating.  

The snow making the colors of the landscape pop in the late afternoon light. 

And even though the sun had set at our prior location dusk lingered offering us a glimpse into our surroundings.  Having arrived at nightfall the day prior it was like coming home to a new place along with a wonderful feeling of familiarity.  

We were invited to visit with our hosts' horses.  Immediately off the bus I walked over to say hello.

These gentle animals greeted me warmly and inquisitively.  Their ears perked up and they sniffed at my camera.

It was a nice exchange.  I have always loved horses.  Used to ride as a young girl.

It was like they knew the drill and posed for the camera.

Creatures Great and Small

welcoming to the touch of a gentle hand with warm greetings on a cold afternoon.

Once back inside - we settled in for our final night at the farmhouse.  Leg of lamb with baked potatoes cooked outside in the fire pit by our guide Oliver.  We thoroughly enjoyed every part of our day and were happy and content with whatever the evening brought us.


Well..... Oliver made a quick trip outside our door and yelled out "they're happening"

Throwing on our coats, hats and gloves and cameras in tow we were blessed to view the northern lights just steps beyond our farmhouse.  The excitement on the ground matched the excitement happening in the atmosphere.

About 15 minutes into our viewing another storm brewed up suddenly and snow squall was back.

Our group making a dash back to the farm.

Settling back in to the warmth with sheer joy with that we were able to witness.

Another 20 minutes time passed and yet again Oliver yells "they're back" 

Out we go again into the night and we able to view the lights with remnants of the storm blowing through.  

The sky and the stars were brilliant and the feeling we had can only be described as

"dancing"

in the night.

enjoy,

k

Iceland Part III ~ Feeling at Home and Feeling Fresh

After a busy traveling day we made our way "home" to the Alftroo Guesthouse.  Nestled in the countryside we immediately felt comfortable - put on our slippers - made a few cocktails - and prepped dinner together with our guide, Oliver.

 Pam prepping tomorrow nights meal - lamb cooked in the outdoor fire pit~fabulous!

 Paula and Sandi with the table all set - enjoy a bonding moment and a martini!

 ....and before we knew it.

The dinner bell!

 Oliver serves up his famous Icelandic fish stew.  A cozy dinner - family style

 with a toast to our adventures of the day ~ with more promised for tomorrow.

Today we head out and stretch our legs as Oliver gets us going in the right direction.  Our morning begins with a hike at Reykjadalur. Where a few of our brave souls will take a dip in the natural hot springs.

 Jim, my happy hiker!

 We begin our hike seeing a few small thermal springs popping up along the mountain side.

 As we turn each corner we are greeted with more steam billowing up from the springs.

 It was an amazing sight watching the sun come up over the mountains to welcome us as we made our way along the mountain path with water bubbling alongside of us.

 The "changing rooms" as you can see with well exposed.  To the few that decided to take a dip in the warm waters realized it wasn't as easy as they thought to get themselves "put back together" without a few frozen appendages!

 The rest of the group continued on to the end of the path and were greeted with more waterfalls and rock formations.  It was a delightful hike - unlike hikes here in NH where we are predominantly surrounded by trees blocking our view.  This day we had the splendor of the countryside along with the rising sun every step of our journey.

 Fog

 Steam

 and sunshine and we walked back to our starting place.

 As you look forward you are greeted with the coming of the new day.

As you look back you see the grandness of all you've experienced.  If you look closely you can see Diane on the far right.  She provides that sense of scale and justice due to the ground we covered.

enjoy,

k

Iceland Part ii of II ~ Mother Nature Serving Tectonic Plates, Hot Springs and Waterfalls

After our "caving" experience we packed up into the van with our trusty guide Oliver and were on our way to our next adventure.

Þingvellir or Thingvellir lies in a rift valley

between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

 As we meandered around we were able to experience the grandness of this space.
You could feel how it would become a protected national shrine for Icelanders.  A country small in size feels quite mighty in stature.

On to our next stopping place a wee bit down the road.  As you can see the weather outside was just a tiny bit inclement for this traveling day.  Didn't hamper any spirits in our group though.  The countryside (visible only to folks in the front of the bus) due to the fact that the inside of our bus was fairly steamy in nature as well.

Oliver, our guide, had told us of the Icelandic phrase “þetta reddest” described as the country's motto.  "it will all work out okay" 

 I suppose you could view the Iceland as a barren, harsh, cold environment but through our experiences we joined in with the Icelanders and developed a carefree mentality and "went with the flow" feeling that everything will work out in the end.

Next stop was to the Geyser Hot Springs.  These two glíma wrestlers demanded a photo op as we walked past.  Really - how could you not?! 

They exhibit traditional Icelandic martial art originated by the Vikings.

They liken it to Sumo wrestling - I would say perhaps wedgie wrestling?

Once again the colors were present through the muted fog and rain

 a calm pool 

 the beginnings of an eruption

 Strokkur letting loose

....spouts every 5-9 minutes 

 Once again the landscape changing at every spot that we visit.

 Next up was the Gullfoss Waterfall.  You could feel the different energy as soon as you started to walk about.  The sun was about to set (on or about 3:40 pm mind you) and you could see and feel the change in the atmosphere.

 Gullfoss - means golden waterfall.  You could see from the surroundings how it would take on a golden hue with the sunshine.  That will have to wait for another day.  Seeing it at dusk made you focus on the sheer power of this river.  Hvita River flows over this two tiered waterfall into a 32 meter deep crevasse.

powerful - mesmerizing - awestruck - grand

The walk back up to the visitors center was brisk.  Folks steps quickened as we made our way back full circle.  

Next up the warmth of our Farmhouse and some furry friends!

enjoy,

k