Iceland
July 2001
- Trip Report
I
said that Iceland is a place that beckons an uncommon sort of traveler
and that was certainly true. What a wonderful, uncommon group
assembled for this journey! Mostly women, half of our group
had the gift of over seventy-five years of full and vibrant lives.
Jim Olsen graciously joined us, warned in advance he'd be with a
female flock. He charmed us all and kept things lively. We
met in Reykjavik, flying in from 11 states: MI, MD, CA, CT, ID,
NM, OH, MA, NY, MT and NJ. We looked at Iceland through the
lens of over 1000 years of cumulative life experience! Iceland,
one of the world's youngest landscapes provided us a rich tapestry
to explore.
Explore
we did - by road, foot, ferry, small boat, horse and plane. We started
along the southern coast with its magnificent waterfalls, glacier-carved
valleys and rugged coastline. We ventured out to the Westman Islands,
where we were impressed with the power of volcanic explosions and
humbled by the strength and endurance of people who live next to
such power. We flew back to Reykjavik, hiked a lonely trail
on the Reykjanes Peninsula and soaked in the Blue Lagoon, and then
flew on to Akureryi and the Lake Myvatn region. From there we traveled
around the Fjords, exploring one of its islands (Hrisey). Few will
forget winding around dramatic headlands as we read morbid
Icelandic folk tales. One could imagine on just such a blustery
day the presence of ghosts, elves, trolls and outlaws. We stopped
for a picnic in gale force winds, marveling at ground-hugging alpine
plants that grew undaunted. We ended our journey in the spectacular
Western Fjords, one of the most remote and dramatic landscapes on
Earth. Here we were charmed by puffins.
July
14, 2001 Arrival/Reykjavik
We arrived, somewhat sleepy but
very excited at the modern
Keflavik Airport on the
Reykjanes Peninsula.
Our bus driver, Binnie, was somewhat nervous to greet us as we later
find out were his first tourist group. Since it was a beautiful day,
we took advantage of the sun and began our time in the city with a
drive past the sculpture museum and a walk in the Botanic Gardens.
Flowers were at the peak of bloom, young Mallard and other ducks were
just out of their nests and redwings fed fat babies on the lawn. We
were glad to stretch our legs after the long plane ride. We also stopped
in town to see ducks and their young at the lake. Tufted Ducks charmed
us. Checking into the Guesthouse Holaberg, we rested briefly and then
returned to explore the city and to get maps and field guides
before starting our venture. We had a delightful dinner at the Lakjarbrekka
and returned to try to sleep and reorient our internal clocks. The
pluck and flexibility of this group was immediately challenged as
we shared bathrooms and small spaces, but all rose to the occasion,
letting nothing mar their enthusiasm for seeing Iceland.
July
15, 2001 The Golden Circle
This
morning we set out to see some of the better-known natural wonders
of Iceland on the Golden Circle route, visiting Thingviller National
Park, Geysir, and the magnificent Gullfoss Falls. To start the
day, we walked a trail along the River Ellidaar near our Guesthouse,
where the plaintive calls of Golden Plover, Redwing and Whimbrel filled
the air. Several spotted a female merganser, while others looked
in detail at the wonderful array of wildflowers: Garden Angelica,
Northern Bedstraw, Sweet Cicily, Water Avens and two species of orchids.
Binnie came to pick us up around 10:00, and we drove an hour north
to Iceland's
most significant historic site at Thingviller, site of the remains
of the Old Icelandic Parliament that dates back to 930 A.D.
The park is also holds geologic significance as it lies on an active
spreading rift where the plates holding North America and Europe are
dividing. Right out of the bus, in the parking lot, we could
see cracks (large and small) created by the Earth's extension.
A small Rowan tree was in bloom over one of the rift cracks filled
with water. We made a loop hike over and through a picturesque
gorge, taking in elements of the geologic story and a grand display
of flowers. The area was lush and green, with waterfalls that shone
in the sun on this beautiful day. By lunchtime rain clouds moved in,
breaking up later in the day to show us double rainbows. After lunch
at park hotel, we traveled on to the geothermal area famous for Geysir
(Grand Geyser), the namesake of all the world's eruptive thermal features.
Much to our surprise, after snickering at two tourists that seemed
to be waiting for the long dormant Geysir to erupt - it did!
Not to its previous height, but still erupting - we learned that an
earthquake in June of the previous year had awakened this national
treasure. Betty Ann got a good laugh and a thumb's up from the tourist
she had tried to discourage after Peg told her it wouldn't go!
We all enjoyed regular blasts of its nearby cousin "Strokkur" (the
"Churn") that jetted 70 feet or more every 5-7 minutes, providing
constant challenge to the photographers in our group. Our final stop
was at one of Iceland's most powerful and beautiful waterfalls known
as "Gullfoss" or "Golden Falls". We walked out to the rim of
the falls that flow over an erosion-resistant lava flow. Water
descended making a noise like thunder - the spray rising several 100-feet
high. We had dinner and drinks thanks to Jim at Hverageroi,
the town known for its geothermal-heated greenhouses en route back
to Reykjavik.
July
16, 2001 The Scenic South Coast
Today, Peg wanted to share
some of the highlights of the scenic coast that she had enjoyed on
a previous trip to Iceland. After driving over a pass with rather
eerie scenery amidst young lava flows, we dropped into a fertile plain
where picturesque farms dotted the landscape, blending in with the
natural features. Like alpine plants adapted to survive tough conditions,
Icelandic farms seem to take on a similar look with few variations.
Each farm held white buildings, red-roofs and fields filled with hay
wrapped in plastic resembling giant marshmallows in white and green.
Jim gave up counting bales when he'd reached several thousand. Our
first stop was to hike to and through the long-ribbon falls at Seljalandsfoss.
The circle route trail took us up a small cliff and behind the waterfall
where Betty B. found water-loving plants clinging to the cliff
in the spray. We all enjoyed watching the acrobatic flight of
nesting Northern Fulmars that were abundant throughout the day. At
sixty-meter Skogafoss Falls several of our group - Pat, Cathy, Joette,
and Mary Jane - hiked to the top. Peg and others milled about
at the scenic bottom of the falls, looking at plants, photographing
cows, farms and flowers. After lunch (local salmon) we visited
a fascinating folk museum also at Skoger. Top of the list here
was time spent with the curator Thordur Tomasson, a wonderful Icelandic
character with bright eyes, a beautiful singing voice and a spirited
love of history. We wandered through sod houses and various
museum exhibits, trying to picture life here before modernization.
Continuing on towards the Dyrholaey Cliffs, we encountered our first
large numbers of nesting seabirds. Winds were tremendous, but
undaunting to Atlantic Puffins and dark and light phase Parasitic
Jaeger that whizzed by the cliffs. We saw lots of female Common Eider
and their young in sheltered waters of a wide, sandy bay. Off
shore there was a large rock arch and beautiful sea stacks rising
sixty-six meters from the sea. Just past Vik, in marshy areas
adjacent to the town and the sea we got out to watch and listen to
a big Arctic Tern colony. They had large chicks. Watching the
adult's constant movement of attending to and feeding the chicks was
mesmerizing. We traveled the Ring Road back to the small town
of Hvolsvollur, conveniently near to our airstrip for flights out
to the Westman Islands the following morning. We enjoyed dinner,
the hospitality of our hosts, and walking around the small town where
local gardeners were busy at 10:00 at night working in broad daylight.
July
17 and July 18, 2001 Vestmannaeyjar, or the Westman Islands
In the morning, after
an extensive breakfast - a plentiful rendition of the breakfast we
would see for all our ensuing days -- we drove a short way to Bakki,
where we boarded small planes for our flight out to the Westman Islands.
We rode four and five to a plane. The ride was about 15 minutes and
it was surprising smooth and delightful. From the air we could
see the island Surtsey, born to this chain in 1963. For the next few
days we explored Heimaey, an island and fishing town of 5,000 inhabitants
who experienced a violent 1973 volcanic eruption that sent lava right
into the town. It is one thing to read of such an event, and another
to actually see the flows that surrounded many of buildings all the
way to the second floor. Many homes were lost and buried - we
saw corners of windows in a lava cliff bordering town. Everyone
was free this first afternoon to explore the village; the golf course
perched on the sea, and the harbor. Fishing is the main industry
of Iceland, and this busy harbor was filled with colorful boats and
constant activity. Fish-packing plants provide employment, and
many commented on the obvious prosperity here. We had a delightful
dinner at Café Maria, and in the evening took a tour of the island
with a knowledgeable guide, Ali, who gave us a real feel for life
in the islands. We saw graphically how the lava nearly closed the
harbor, and marveled at gardens in the lava that locals had created
to inspire hope among the residents. On the far end of the island,
we walked out to a puffin colony, trying to be very careful as the
burrows extended way up the hill. We watched them fly and land, walk
about on their bright orange feet, and listened to their near-constant
chatter. The next day several of our group climbed the
young mountain Eldfell born of that eruption. Views from the top were
fantastic and we were lucky with good weather, and a chance to sit
at the top and enjoy a picnic lunch. One of the local residents showed
us a photo album of the eruption and the ensuing clean-up efforts.
After dinner at the Lantera, we made our way back to the airport where
we would fly back to Reykjavik.
Thursday,
July 19 Reykjavik, the Blue Lagoon, Reykjanes Peninsula
Today Ruth and Megan flew
in to meet us and we started our day in an exotic way - with a
swim and soak at the fantastic
Blue Lagoon, an indoor/outdoor spa artistically set in young lava
rock. We floated and paddled about and placed silica mud, thought
to have excellent curative powers, on our faces. It was
a cold and gray day making the pool very steamy, but we were relaxed
and comfortable in the warm waters. Binnie found us a great
restaurant, and after lunch we started birding in earnest at a quiet
bay on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Small ponds and lagoons provided
good looks at male Common Eider, Red-necked Phalarope (yeah for Betty
L, her first!), Dunlin, Ruddy Turnstone, Eurasian Oystercatcher with
young, and more. Later that afternoon we returned to Reykjavik, where
we had a quick look at the Culture House that featured a current Viking
exhibit. Several ran errands for film, books and other necessities
and we met back for dinner at a local restaurant with a fantastic
salad bar and fresh seafood entrees.
Friday, July 20
The Bird Cliffs at Hafnaberg / flight to Akureyri.
After yet another Icelandic-style
breakfast, we drove to Hafnaberg, to walk to cliffs of nesting seabirds,
including all of Iceland's nesting alcids. We all enjoyed the
3.5 miles round-trip hike over soft lava gravel in a rather eerie
landscape. There was blooming Rock Cress, Wild Thyme and Sea Campion.
Stalks of Lyme Grass waved in the wind, Megan showed us Yorkshire
Fog (a grass) and Betty B. was pleased to find Moonwort, one of her
favorite ferns. We had excellent looks at Parasitic Jaeger, perched
and flying, and Snow Bunting. On this clear day we had great views
of the island of Eldey, where the last Great Auks were seen in 1844.
Our flight was earlier than expected, so we had just a brief look
at Razorbills, Black-legged Kittiwakes and both species of murres
at the cliff before heading back for a quick picnic lunch. We drove
to the domestic airport to catch our flight to Akureyri, a lovely
city on the north coast of Iceland. Scenery here was grand,
with snow-covered peaks, lush green hillsides and shining waters of
the fjord. At the airport we met Bois, our local driver, who spoke
excellent English and had a wonderful sense of humor. Throughout the
rest of the trip he shared a great deal of knowledge about the landscape
and ways of the farms and countryside life. He was patient with
our many photo and plant and bird i.d. stops and enjoyed sharing meals
with us. Our destination today was Lake Myvatn, famous for large
numbers of nesting waterfowl. This was an unusual year, with
fairly low numbers of babies, due to late June snows that destroyed
many of the eggs and young. We saw large rafts of adult ducks
and had great looks at both species of loon during our stay here.
This afternoon at the Laxa River we stopped for our first views of
Harlequin ducks, which may be able to claim the award of world's cutest
babies. Three little ones cowered under their mother as light
rain began. In a quiet cove off the main roaring part of the
river, several orphan ducklings were huddled together and our hearts
went out pondering their fate. Betty L. commented on the power of
the river - so lush and green this arctic realm! Our hotel had
a lovely view of the lake, and the bar and dining room had big windows
so we could keep watching the antics of little swirling duck and grebe
babies. At cocktail hour a large female Gyrfalcon buzzed through,
creating quite a commotion. In the evening, several enjoyed a walk
around trails near the lake.
Saturday,
July 21 Myvatn Area
We had the full day to explore the
Lake Myvatn area. Our first stop was a lovely overlook on the
lake, a quiet cove just filled with Barrow's Goldeneye. Among
them we also found Common Scoter, Slavonian Grebe, Common Merganser
and a number of other species. It was a partly sunny day and we enjoyed
a walk at some unusual lava features at Dimmuborgir. Here Megan spotted
a Merlin, and we got stunning views in the scope of a male perched
on a lava pinnacle. On this east side of the lake, birches predominate
and we enjoyed the walk in this diminutive forest. Later we would
learn one of Bois' jokes "what do you do if you are lost in an Icelandic
forest? Stand up." Jim talked us into coffee
and donuts mid-morning, and in the small village at the end of the
lake we found a delightful café. Here we tried the special bread
of the area - a dense loaf cooked in vents of geothermal steam.
Later Bois showed us the ovens. In 1974, the Parliament granted
nature reserve status to 440,000 hectares around the lake, and it
is in this conservation area that we enjoyed one of Megan's wonderful
picnic lunches. Somehow here, close to the Arctic Circle, she
whipped up exotic combinations of chicken salad with fresh fruits
and vegetables. We walked as she prepared our meal and found
Redshank sitting boldly on fence posts and phone wires, a Common Loon
with young, our first Oldsquaw, several Dunlin and lots of Red-necked
Phalaropes. This corner of the lake held scores of Eurasian Wigeon
with young, and we were lucky to see Whooper Swans with cygnets.
We took an afternoon break at our hotel, venturing out in the late
afternoon to see the colorful mudpots and fumeroles at Namaskard.
The Myvatn area is one of the most geologically active areas on earth.
Evidence is here in many forms - from mud-pots to hot springs. Here
we were once again at the meeting zone of two plates on the spreading
Mid-Atlantic rift. We walked the trails, inhaling sulfur smells
and feeling the heat of Earth's features. After dinner, we thoroughly
enjoyed the chance to try out the gentle-natured, smooth-gaited Icelandic
horses on an evening ride at a nearby farm. A delightful couple took
us out - they looked like they had rarely stepped out of the saddle
in their entire lives and were rightfully proud of their well-mannered
herd. The horses held excellent gait, and many enjoyed the smooth
movements of the tolt. Betty B. was to leave us in the morning.
We would miss our "Bending- over Betty" and her keen eye for the flowers
for the rest of the trip.
Sunday,
July 22 Myvatn Area
We woke to the first significant rain
on our trip in Iceland. True to Janet's claims of bringing good
weather, the clouds parted for the two-hour horseback ride for the
more experienced riders. While Joette, Janet and Peg tolted along
the Laxa River and adjacent rolling tundra hills, several joined Megan
for a morning outing to look for birds along the lakeshore. They found
a mother Slavonian Grebe with her young close by, and got excellent
looks at Common Snipe, including an aerial display. White Wagtail
were everywhere - a lovely species to be a common bird! Due
to rains we opted for a restaurant lunch, returning to the place where
we had enjoyed coffee and donuts earlier. Circling the lake
gave us another chance to see Oldsquaw and Common Loon and in the
afternoon and for another stop at the Laxa River where the ducks put
on quite a show. We then headed back to Akureyri stopping at nearby
Godafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods. Again, we were impressed with
the lack of boundaries so common in our national parks - you could
walk right out to the very edge of the falls to feel the spray and
mist. We also stopped at Vaglaskogur, a birch woodland to look for
the endemic islandicus Winter Wren and islandica Common
Redpoll. Flocks repeated dashed about in the tall vegetation,
but we got quick glimpses only. On a wooded trail we found a rare
yellow wildflower new to us - the Small Cow-Wheat. We reached
Akureyri, a city of about 15,000 people, in the late afternoon.
This was a free night, and though it was Sunday and many shops were
closed that did not stop our diligent shoppers. Many gathered
for a cocktail party in dorm rooms at the Hotel Edda, a chain of hotels
in Iceland that utilizes facilities that are schools during the academic
year. It seemed like we were in college again with laughter
ringing through the halls. As they say "a good time was had by all".
Monday,
July 23 Akureyri / Hrisey
In the morning we walked in
the Botanic Gardens, to Helene's great delight, a few hundred yards
from our hotel. Rows and rows of colorful poppies, lupine, lilies
and more decorated the garden hillsides. We got wonderful looks
at Winter Wren and Redpoll, and a very tame young Redwing nearly landed
on Peg's shoe. After breakfast we drove a beautiful route along a
fjord with snow-capped peaks to meet the ferry for our 15-minute ride
over to Hrisey, a small island in the Eyjafjordur. It was fun
to look around the small village there, now in transition from a fishing
economy to tourism. The fish-drying racks stood empty on the
hillsides, sad looking despite being decked with wildflowers.
We walked up the hill past lovely gardens to a reserve where we could
look for nesting Common Gull and Rock Ptarmigan. Megan set up her
scope in the center with a clear view of the hillside, and was ready
to zoom in when Mary Jane said, "I see one". Rock Ptarmigan
with four chicks - a great find. Arctic Terns and Common Gulls
were numerous and we also had good looks at Northern Wheatear and
Snow Bunting once again. Baby Whimbrels calling and trying to navigate
the road were a bit hit. After a picnic lunch we visited a sweater
and wool outlet where several enjoyed shopping before leaving town.
From here we had quite a drive westward, circling rugged peninsulas
that jut out into the Arctic Ocean. Peg entertained us with
Icelandic folk tales, one grimmer than the next, until the mood of
the day and the rain merged to make us believe them all! We
enjoyed a rest at a travel center with wonderful handicrafts, different
than others we had seen. Our accommodations were again in the local
school. It caused quite a hoot to the ladies in their pajamas
when a bare-chested male walked into the common bathroom. Once
again the pluck and flexibility of this group shone true - Iceland
is European, and when in Rome. Before dinner several
of our group enjoyed a soak in a local geothermal pool in the nearby
town. Cathy interviewed two local girls at the desk about life
and the economics of the area - a great chance to gain insight into
how teenagers feel about life in this remote location. We often
saw people riding horses through the rugged landscape. Displaying
the smooth gait of the tolt, wind in their hair, these ponies played
a significant role in Iceland's long and colorful history. Dinner
held a bit of an adventure when smoke poured from the kitchen and
the staff came out to open the windows. The casualty was Bois'
lamb steak.
Tuesday,
July 24 Northwestern Fjords / Patricksfjordur
We rose early
today to get a good start on the long journey into the remote fjords
of the Northwest - the most rugged landscape and the oldest rock of
Iceland. Several of us walked early in the morning, listening to calling
Red-throated Loons and singing Meadow Pipit. Some orphan sheep were
eager for food, and quickly adopted Joette, Mary Jane and Lynn.
Our driving route held striking scenery. Glaciers and the sea
have carved the coast into a convoluted pattern of fjords and headlands.
At a rest stop Lynn was the first to try the Icelandic hot dog.
Not bad for 10:30 in the morning! This wild area still holds
a small population of White-tailed Eagles, whose numbers were drastically
reduced by eider farmers in the twentieth century. We had our eyes
peeled for these and for Gyrfalcon, the national bird of Iceland,
which also nests in the area. Rounding a bend in a fjord, Peg
saw a group of ducks blow into the sky and yelled STOP. There
we saw the eagle, working low on the water, and watched it as it disappeared
several minutes later above the high cliffs of the fjord. We
also saw huge flocks of wild Whooper Swans - 48 in one group on a
wind-swept, white-capped part of the fjord. Our seaside picnic
lunch took place in gale force winds on the northern edge of Breidafjordur
and we took refuge behind the bus. Lynn pointed out diminutive
arctic poppies, and Joette found our first Harbor Seal. It hauled
out on a rocky outcrop, laying on its side waving its flippers and
putting on quite a show. There were more Common Scoter, Red-breasted
Merganser, Glaucous Gull, Common Ringed Plover, and a good number
of Eurasian Oystercatchers. Iron-rich red bands were obvious in these
older basalt cliffs, and we began to spot characteristic dikes running
at odd angles to the basalt at several locations along the way.
We took a break at Flokalundur where we would catch the ferry in a
few days. It was low tide, and we had good looks at several
waders. From here we continued on past magnificent scenery.
We crossed a high pass, where we encountered road construction and
a statue we christened "the wrapped man". Dropping down to the
next fjord we saw ponds used for salmon rearing and small white flags
of an eider down farm. Continuing on to Patricksfjorder, one
of the westernmost settlements of Europe, we settled into our accommodations
with a fantastic view of the fjord. After dinner at a local
restaurant, several enjoyed a chance to walk around and explore the
town and harbor.
Wednesday, July 25
Latrabjarg Bird Cliffs
Perhaps the highlight of our journey
was experienced today at the unbelievably dramatic Latrabjarg bird
cliffs, where Atlantic Puffins, Common and Thick-billed Murres, Northern
Fulmars, and Black-legged Kittiwakes nest in numbers beyond the imagination.
They segment out according to steepness and height of the cliffs,
clinging often to ledges barely large enough for to hold them.
We had plenty of time to study seabirds of all sorts including some
very obliging puffins. We were surprised to find other cars
and buses at the trailhead, including a photo safari that called itself
"Ultimate Puffins". Megan spotted gray seals bobbing in the surf below
us, and although we looked, we did not find whales visible in the
choppy seas. These cliffs reach from 40-500 meters in height,
and extend for 12 kilometers. We walked up to the cliffs gaining
a fantastic sense of wilderness. When we sat long in any spot the
puffins and razorbills just continued their activities, oblivious
to the company. Cameras clicked as they walked about, preened,
walked in and out of burrows and through the white flowers of Sea
Mayfair in bloom. Near the parking lot is the westernmost lighthouse
of Europe. We were blessed with a calm and clear day, and had
magnificent views of Snaefellsjokull, the glacier at the end of the
Snaefellsnes Peninsula, made famous by Jules Verne in his book
Journey to the Center of the Earth. The glacier was positioned
just off of the seabird cliffs, so in one view you could take in contstant
whirling seabird activity and the solemn grandeur of a quiet glacier-covered
volcano. Megan asked us our impressions of a seabird cliff and
we found it hard to articulate: on one level it was the incessant
motion, the sounds, the smells; and on another level it was a story
-- a baby murre alone, likely fallen from the nest. A football-sized
fat Fulmar chick waiting patiently for food, busy kittiwakes calling
and calling, preening and prodding their young, the ocean, churning
below. Puffins returning with fish stacked 10 strong across
their bill. Betty L., Mary Kay, Pat, and Betty Ann took a long walk
around the bay where they watched Purple Sandpiper, Dunlin, baby Eider
and Arctic Tern. Others lingered on the cliffs to photograph
puffins, and more puffins, and more puffins. Lynn said "now
that's the way to see a life bird!" It was an idyllic day, literally
at the end of the world, enjoyed by all.
Thursday,
July 26
Ferry to Stykkisholmur
Somehow we were
blessed with yet another sunny day and calm seas for our ferry crossing.
We spent the morning driving back to Flokalunder birding and taking
photos of picturesque farms en route. We enjoyed a walk near Flokalunder
- especially the cloud of Eurasian Oystercatchers put up by Cathy
who had wandered off for a view. Late morning we boarded the ferry
'Baldur' for a three-hour trip across a large expanse of sea called
the Breidafjordur. We had seen our route from our lunch stop in days
previous. Our stop at Flatey Island, once the center of scholarship
in medieval Iceland, was too brief to get off the ferry, but we could
sense the island's long isolation. Underway, we enjoyed good views
of European Shag, Great Cormorant, and many, many puffins. In the
late afternoon we arrived in the charming, seaside-city of Stykkisholmur
on the north side of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Cathy went
exploring and found the local geothermal pools alive with activity.
Many chose to walk up Helgafell (Holy Mountain). Here, we first visited
the grave of Gudrun Osvifursdottir, "the most beautiful woman in Iceland"
dated 1003. Her sad tale is told in the Laxdaela Saga, from which
Megan read a section about her dreams. We walked up the 73-meter
mountain, in silence not looking back placing our wishes at the top,
as is the custom. As we turned to walk down, an immature White-tailed
Eagle sailed close by over our heads - wings spread to reveal all
the beautiful plumage detail. As Ruth said, it was a magic moment
and a fitting way to end the trip.
Friday
July 27 Islands of the Briedafjordur; flights home
This morning our
luck with the weather ended. We had a very blustery but still
beautiful boat ride through islands of the southeastern Breidafjordur.
Our captain was excellent, taking us close to nesting European Shag
and Black-legged Kittiwake. We saw organ pipe columns of basaltic
rock, and the cove that sheltered Eric the Red in his outlaw days.
They dredged a small patch of the sea to show us the abundant life,
and here in the clean arctic waters we could try fresh scallops and
sea urchin (to add to the list of other exotic foods eaten on the
trip). As we got off the boat, the rains came in quickly and we parted
from our Iceland adventure very thankful for the good weather that
was with us for the journey. In Keflavik our flock scattered
to the temptation of duty-free shopping, filling lists of gifts for
loved ones as they headed home. Betsy found some precious stuffed
animals, and Joette modeled a great puffin hat. Soon, we were homeward
bound. It was no small accomplishment to have navigated the
wilds of Iceland, and we enjoyed every minute of the adventure.
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