Day 2: Don't go chasing waterfalls

31 August 2017

Don't go chasing waterfalls without your raincoat!

Today on our continuation of our drive South, we saw no less than 7 waterfalls today! We figured they deserved their own post!

Urridafoss

 Moo

 Waterfall= Foss in icelandic.

Iceland really is the land of extremes. You look at the landscape and see plants that have to reach through rocky lava to get any nutrients and water, 

Reaching and trying to survive the best they can in the conditions available.

Then not too far away there is much moisture and waterfalls everywhere you turn!

Even ones you can walk behind!

Seljalandfoss, 65 meters high, hopefully you brought your rain jacket with you!

Gljufrabui:

 The name means "Dweller of the Gorge". This waterfall is sometimes called Gljúfrafoss. 

Gljúfrabúi is 40 meters high and in front of it is a big rock almost covering it so it is difficult to see the lower part of the waterfall.

Ken was braver than me at this one (or maybe I just didn't want to test out how "waterproof" my waterproof sneakers were on the second day of our trip....)

Skodafoss is 60 meters high and 25 meters wide. This is one of the biggest and most popular waterfalls that gets visited here in Iceland(except perhaps Gulfoss which we plan to visit on the next day or 2)

It's pretty amazing that you can walk right up to it.

There are staircases leading up but we decided to go find the Blind Raven restaurant instead.

Don't worry, we didn't actually eat there. For group reservations only. We ate at the hotel restaurant in better lighting, the "blind raven" is pretty much overflow restaurant seating. Got our attention that it was nearby. Thanks Google.

Day 2: Dyraholaey and Reynisfjara Beach

31 August 2017

One of the top items on this trip to Iceland was to go South and visit the Dyraholaey Nature Reserve, and the town of Vik, so we set out on day 2 to do just that!

The drive up to Dyraholaey was quite steep, and we were not sure whether this was a road the rental car company considered "allowed" but it was not marked and we figured, it was no worse than Kens parents driveway in Eastern Washington, so we drove It! 🤔😄

What a view!

Was very windy.

You can see the Black sand beach of Reynisjara in the distance.

Then we drove to the other side of the point to the Black sand beach.

Halfsanefshilellir cave,

I guess there have been some Game of Thrones episodes filmed here!

and really cool basalt rock formations from the high winds that occur regular here.

Iceland really is an awesome geological wonder!

There have been deaths here due to getting too close to the ocean and what the Icelanders call "sneaker" waves pulling people in.

Respect for the ocean and nature around it, that is never to be underestimated.

Also really windy and cold here.

Day 1: 24 hours awake in Iceland and Kerid crater

30 August 2017

It has actually been more than 24 hours awake, but really, after leaving 6am local Alaska time changing time zones of 8 hours and arriving at 6am in the local Iceland time, whose brain can keep track!!!

We both were not able to sleep on the plane journey. But we are smiling.

We rented a 4 door Skoda. Automatic start, automatic engine shutoff while holding the brakes down for more 3 seconds, automatic windshield wipers. No automatic door locks. Good thing there is not a lot a theft in Iceland!

We head to our first Airbnb experience, a horse farm outside of Selfoss, Iceland. We picked it for its location to be able to explore the Southern region and also because it's near the "Golden Circle" locations that we can choose to do (if we want to join the hoards of tourists!) Iceland's summer is winding down, but August is still busy!

In the email our host made it sound like check-in was flexible and we were so tired we wanted to see if we could check in a little early......only to realize the place was so popular that the reservations were back to back and the guests whose room we would be taking had not left yet!!

We talked to the house cleaner as the host was at the next farm picking turnips! We smiled and said "no problem, we will come back later" While crying inside because all we wanted was a flat place to lay down and a pillow!!

So off we ventured, sleep deprived, to the crater Kerid. The crater Kerid was formed about 6,500 years ago and lies at the Northern end of a row of craters know as Tjarnarholar. It is oval, about 270 meters long, 170 meter wide and 55 meters deep: the depth of the water at the bottom varies between 7 and 14 meters. The water in the crater does not drain out, but rises and falls according to changes in the water table. The crater was probably formed by a small magma chamber beneath the crater being emptied towards the end of the eruption that collapsed it.

Then we could not help ourselves and we took a nap in the parking lot.

Pre day 1: 29 pounds

29 pounds is all I am traveling with starting out. 1 change of clothes. 7 changes of socks. 3 changes of undergarments. Diabetic supplies. Snacks. Yep, that is all I choose to carry with me on this 31 day trip. Maybe it's due to the 22 pound limit the airline allows, either way, less possessions to haul is always desirable when traveling!

Ken has even less in his luggage. He is amazing, he even offers to carry some snacks! Now that we are married, he knows what is of high importance when Diabetes is tagging along internationally.

Am I lucky to have him, or am I lucky! 😄😄😄

Our flight leaving Sitka is delayed. In fact, the Juneau leg has just now been canceled due to fog. And we thought weather-wise it would be safe leaving Southeast Alaska in August! 🤔😣😥

Now the choice is to leave late, stopover "as planned" in Ketchikan (with risk of more weather delay!) and land in Seattle at an undetermined time and risk our overseas connection, or have Alaska airlines place us on a direct-later- flight to Seattle and have a tighter planned connection.

We would have less than 1 hour to make it through possible additional security/passport control and that same hour to make it to the gate. Our flight would potentially be arriving in D concourse, and leaving in the South/international wing of the airport.

We chose direct. Crossing our fingers and toes and eyes.

Flash forward one 2 hour 50 minute partially choppy flight, we make it into Seattle early with plenty of time to spare, phew! Thank you Alaska airlines for allowing us the choice and getting us there safely!!

Boarding the big plane now for a 7 hour long flight. Hope to update you all tomorrow from......Iceland!!

Wish us luck!

PediCare

   My mom surprised me with a manicure AND a pedicure appoinment!

Now I normally would not post a picture of my feet, but I just have to say thanks mom. I would not have made the appointment for myself with all the pre trip "to do's" that I create for myself.

With all the walking and dancing that I do, my feet appreciated it SO much!! Ready to get walking on vacation now!!!

Escape

The most difficult decision about travel!!

Hello!!!

I know its been a while, I am sorry. I am more sorry that the last time I traveled......I forgot to finish posting so many many many blogs we wrote.......maybe we will get to editing and posting them someday soon, but for right now, just know that the time has come to go on another adventure.

In fact this adventure is technically our HONEYMOON!!

More posts to come over the next 5 weeks, they will generally be a few days behind depending on where and when we get WIFI and internet connection. I WILL finish posting when we arrive home- I pinky promise!!!! Family and friends, hold us to this please!

For the moment, just know that the countdown is on and the excitement is rising, and that we get to travel in less than 10 days!!

I'm not going to tell you exactly where we are going yet(where is the fun in that?!) but just know that we are packing light, and plan to be city and town hopping frequently in areas where there are steep narrow stairs and cobblestone streets, so I am going back and forth and back and forth with using the handy new *locking* rolling bag that my awesome husband got me for Christmas. Or to stick with my trusty Helly Hansen zipper on the back not accessible to thieves backpack that is the perfect size that I have never over packed with- the perfect size I tell you!!!

To be able to have the ease of no weight at all and roll and go, but to expect trouble on certain terrain(and have to carry anyway), or stuff and heave and move laterally over that same terrain(not to mention trains and buses and such) The most difficult decision I tell you!!!!!

What is your preferred luggage and packing tips, we want to hear them!