Iceland 2024

Iceland is a Nordic island country between the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between North America and Europe. It is culturally and politically linked with Europe and is the region's westernmost and most sparsely populated country. Its capital and largest city is Reykjavík, which is home to about 36% of the country's roughly 380,000 residents. The official language of the country is Icelandic. Iceland is on a rift between tectonic plates, and its geologic activity includes geysers and frequent volcanic eruptions. The interior consists of a volcanic plateau with sand and lava fields, mountains and glaciers, and many glacial rivers flow to the sea through the lowlands. Iceland is warmed by the Gulf Stream and has a temperate climate, despite a latitude just south of the Arctic Circle. Its latitude and marine influence keep summers chilly, and most of its islands have a polar climate. ~Wikipedia~

Our guide, Rob, was ready to go after we had a pleasant stay @ Hótel Reykjavík Saga and top notch meal at The Fish Market. Highly recommend if you enjoy sushi & Japanese cuisine. The day started with a quick trip downtown to re-equip Betsey's cousin Kathleen, who joined us, as she had the misfortune to arrive without her bags after a missed connection in Newark! We did some sightseeing in Reykjavik and then headed along the South Coast with stops at Skógafoss waterfalls, Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach (basalt formations) and Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon. A 217 mile trip to Fosshótel Glacier Lagoon hotel thru spectacular country.

Today was all about Glaciers in Vatnajökull National Park. First a short visit to Breiðárlón, then off to a Jökulsárlón Glacier Bay zodiac tour, followed by Diamond Beach and concluding with a Falljökull glacier walk! Vatnajökull is a typical temperate ice cap composed of ice domes and numerous out­let glaciers, some of which surge at irregular intervals. Vatnajökull ice cap is ca. 7700 km2 (and covers ca 8% of Iceland) and is still Europe’s largest ice cap by volume, although it has lost more than 15% of its volume during the last century. It conceals seven active central volcanoes, valleys and glacial troughs. ~Wikipedia~

For our escapade today, Midgard Adventures was to be our guide traveling in what I would describe as a Mercedes-Benz 4WD on super steroids! It was so high off the ground, some of us needed a step stool to get in an out. First stop, Landeyjahöfn Back Sand Beach that stretched for miles and was deserted. Seljalandsfoss Waterfall was next where you can walk to the back of the fall and get a good misting. So far, driving in the super buggy was a piece of cake. Then we turned inland to navigate the rock roads and trials of Thórsmörk (*Thor's Valley) to find ourselves at the Gígjökull glacier. And then the navigating, rock hopping and river crossing got really interesting. We were treated to lunch at the Volcano Huts, a popular campsite and resort. An arctic fox was dashing around but slipped away before I could get a proof shot. At this point we were deep into the Southern highlands with the Eyjafjallajökull Icecap ever present and towering above us. Time to leave with one last stop at Gluggafoss waterfall before we headed back to Hotel Ranga.

We left Hotel Ranga and headed for the world famous Golden Circle sights, a new set of Iceland natural features. But first, we had to 'stop the car' and turn around as we came across a self-serve milk stand that was not to be missed. After some fun, off we headed to see the Haukadalur Geysirs in action. A bit more unpredictable vs 'Old Faithful' in Yellowstone, nonetheless just as exciting to watch it blow her top! Next treat was the spectacular Gullfoss waterfall, tiered and cataract it descends into a three step staircase, plunging over 200 feet. The rush of air and the pounding sounds brings the power of nature front and center. Now for lunch. And not to be outdone, the Icelanders have manage to meld good food with good growing to create the Fridheimar restaurant inside a tomato greenhouse. The unlimited buffet of tomato soup and fresh bread is worth the price of admission alone.

After indulging, off we went to the continental rift at the Thingvellir National Park. Here lies the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Was fun to stand on another rift, having lived the majority of my life on the divide of the North American and Pacific tectonic plates (currently live on the Pacific plate as it heads north). To its south lies Þingvallavatn, the largest natural lake in Iceland. Of greater significance, it is the site of the Alþing, the annual parliament of Iceland from the year 930 until the last session held at Þingvellir in 1798. We ended the day with a dazzle of rainbows on our way to the Blue Lagoon!

Our last day! Betsey was fending off a nasty head cold, so Kathleen and I went off to be her eyes and ears. Our first stop was Grindavík, just south of the Blue Lagoon, that had been evacuated after the Sundhnúkur volcano erupted on December 18th 2023. The town is slowly coming back as it is a major fishing harbor. A lot of the residential sections are deserted, with evidence of destruction from seismic and lava activity. What is amazing are the special engineering skills the Icelanders master to get life back to normal. From paving roads with the ground still steaming to erecting a 13 foot high wall around the town, the Blue Lagoon and the close by power plant to divert/slow any future lava flows. Amazing! Next, we were off to Volcano Valley where the last 3 eruptions (2021, 2022, 2023) and lava flow emanated from. The park has plenty of trails to go off and hike the lava fields and viewpoints. Strandarkirkja, a historic seaside church was followed by a dive into the underworld at Raufarhólshellir descending into a lava tunnel. Highlight of the trip was being immersed in pitch back darkness. Something to be felt not seen. We ended the day at the Krýsuvík thermal pools and a bit of shopping in Reykjavik.