Volcanoes Deep and High

 Done with our BackRoads tour, we were ready to set out on our own with a SUV that was ready for rough roads. We didnt want limits in venturing out to less traveled areas of Iceland. Heading north from Reykjavik, we donned helmets with lights and  explored a volcano tube - the open 'tube' formed when lava flows, the outside cooling enough to harden into a rock shell while the molten lava works its way through. Just like we did!   Then we found Grabok Crater volcanic cone to climb and walk around because....Iceland.

heading down down into the lava tube

Viogelmir Lava Cave

looking thru to the far end of tube

lava field outside the lava tube, with crack

huge Hraunfossar falls along the way

Grabrok Crater in the distance

walk along the rim of crater

made it to the top!

another crater nearby

Koluglijufur gorge-formed by female troll Kola who buried her treasure nearby

sunset in Skagafjordur

Nemos on a rock, no idea why

 

sunset at Skagafjordur

Turk tries an Iceland hotdog - Meh

  A drive across the peninsula to our first natural hot springs - Grettir's Pool where legendary outlaw Grettir the Strong recovered after swimming over from the island of Drangey nearby. Or so the Saga says. Hot springs are a part of daily life in Iceland and we embraced this aspect of being an Icelander as often as we could! A required shower (its the law) and then into the pool for a soak and an opportunity to meet people-local and not.  this site was staffed by a guy who made soup - DELICIOUS sitting beside the ocean.

a view of Drangey Island and the hot pool on the coast

one of 2 springs

view from the springs to the mountains

YUM soup!

Arrive in Iceland. Now Get Busy!

 After a 3 day delay, we arrived in Iceland. We spent a few hours wandering around Reykjavik before getting a taxi for the LONG drive inland to meet our Backroads hiking group for dinner. Turk and I had to resort to ourselves until they arrived. So we finally got to relax.

on Rainbow Street! Reykjavik

 

Vacuuming the streets for us in reykjavik

Torfhus-One must drink beer from a glass 'horn'!

our Torfhus turf house accomodations

of course - hot tub in the back

expansive countryside

Icelandic horse!!

Turk is ready to go-the farting horse!

only mushroom farm in Iceland

delicious  mushroom-centric lunch

our entertainer, teacher, former guide

 

our day 2 orientation

This day also included Arctic white water rafting - and jumping from a cliff into the river. Turk's version of the afternoon was a hot tub with beer. Photos to follow!

Gullfoss waterfall

such an expansive falls!

we were there -in full rain gear!

 

hiking a human planted forest

after hike fortification

Turk at top!

Then a trip in our super jeep inland, between two major glaciers (Langjokull and Hofsjokull), to the remote Highland Base at Kerlingarfjoll. This is where we will be for the total eclipse.

Turk adds rock to navigational cairn in wilderness

the start of glaciers, waterfalls, volcanoes

Highlands Basecamp

important Icelandic waffles as snack

hot springs at hotel

 

Turk hiking volcanic rock

from top of mountain-volcanic rock

rocks and moss

celebrating the assent!!

after-hike soak

Total Solar Eclipse time!

Hveradalir  "valley of the hot springs

guest guide told riveting tales

 

long hike down on slippery clay mud

narrow ridges

steam and bubbling mud pots

muddy but happy

the easy part of the hike

a great view

 

hotel complex below - only buildings in region

hike to another hot springs

before we jump in

horseshoe river

our super jeep with adjustable tires for terrain

active geyser near original 'geyser' 1st found in Iceland

1st geysir discovered in the world, now dorment