Day 7, August 31 - Akureyri to Myvatn

The wind abated overnight and it was calm in the morning. Broke camp and toured Akureyri. The church overlooks old town Akureyri where we looked for dinner, last night. The church here was modeled after the Hallgrimskirkja in Reykjavik. Toured a beautiful and extensive garden, said to be the second northernmost in the world (Norway has the first). Headed east on the 1 with a look at Akureyri from the other side of the fiord. Stopped at Godafoss, another huge waterfall. It passes the fourth-largest volume of water in the country. We walked along one side, crossed over and walked along the other side, taking pictures of the cataracts and the frozen lava flows exposed by the river's erosion. Legend says, in 1000, the chief law reciter for the country was tasked with deciding whether the country should convert to Christianity. He chose to do so and on his way home, he threw his pagan idols into the falls. Hence the name, "waterfall of the gods" - Godafosss.

Back on the road, we headed north through a old, old lava field and along the coast to Husavik. Pulled into the picturesque harbor and walked around. They have a pretty church above the harbor. Husavik is noted for their whale-watching tours and several companies were preparing watchers and going out to watch. The watchers were bundled into large safety jumpsuits for the experience. Husavik is also home to the whale museum. We spent a good hour or more learning all about whales and seeing the exhibits and skeletons. Back outside, we opted for something fishy on the harbor and stopped into a restaurant for the fish stew - delicious!.

The wind had been picking up all afternoon and was strong as we headed south on the 87, climbing up and over a big hill, fighting the head- and side winds. Normally the camper holds its own even up some grades but today I had to downshift and really power up the slopes. The view as we rolled down into the Myvatn Lake was worth it. The lake spreads out wide and long with past eruption cones and distant buttes ringing it. After checking two of the campgrounds, we chose one and set up. The campground has a lava field right in front and I explored that. We watched the sunset over the lake and relaxed. Bed around 2200, as usual.Read more