• Jared Lewis
  • Allison Horowitz
  • Jared Lewis
  • Allison Horowitz

Iceland

Adventure of Summer ‘22 Les mer
  • The F-Road Saga

    11. juli 2022, Island ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    F roads are not vulgar, but rather a designation for need for 4x4 and level of maintenance to expect. Our journey to Gullfoss began scenic, through rolling farmlands with mixed paved and gravel roads (typical for Iceland), grazing sheep and horses, unexpected waterfalls, and beautiful Lupines that we learned we imported from Alaska.

    However the journey turned more than adventurous with one recommended right from google maps that quickly led us onto F338, better known as an trail that looked like it was meant to service power lines. “No way google would lead us this way so we continued onward… for 57 km… and despite our hope the conditions failed to improve as we summited a plateau between mountains with remnants of snow and a glacier with temperatures dropping quickly. Thankfully our new found love for Kia prevailed and both us and the car survived the trek, but our lesson was learned. Double check all routes before blindly following.

    The tour guide we conversed with in the hot tub in the evening assured us he’d be sharing this story with his passengers, but also that it seems to happen quite frequently here. Without more newsworthy reports, it’s like a local delicacy.
    Les mer

  • Gullfoss Falls

    11. juli 2022, Island ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    At the end of the journey, this is what we discovered, an awesome waterfall that upon approach looked like one of the geothermal areas with the amount of mist in the air. A brief layover though as we had an appointment to make…Les mer

  • Silfra Snorkeling

    11. juli 2022, Island ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    We returned to the division between North America and Eurasia for a frigid swim in the Silfra Fissure. The water is glacier run off, filter by lava yielding some of the clearest water in the world. Despite the persistent gnats (and some people) it was an amazing experienceLes mer

  • Lögberg

    11. juli 2022, Island ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Law Rock was where the Alþingi (Icelandic Parliament) was founded in 930, one of the oldest in the world. Chieftains met outdoors for 2 weeks each summer and discuss legislation and rule on crimes committed. Impressive backdrop for the start of the longest running governments in the world (despite Iceland only becoming independent in 1944)Les mer

  • Þingvellir National Park

    11. juli 2022, Island ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Iceland’s first national park. Impressive landscapes, waterfalls, and the meeting of tectonic plates. Could have spend much longer hiking around and taking on the scenery.

  • Kerið Crater

    11. juli 2022, Island ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    This mountain collapsed when all the molten magma drained out, creating the awe inspiring crater with a blue lake at the bottom. They wouldn’t let us swim, but given the water temp that was for the best.Les mer

  • Into the Highlands

    12. juli 2022, Island ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    The Hella bus stop (pronounced Hetla) was conveniently across the street from our humble surroundings at the Stracta Hotel where we boarded a bus to venture inland. Thankfully they were much more equipped for the F-roads than our Kia, but we are confident that after yesterday’s adventure we could have made this trek easily.Les mer

  • Landmannalaugar

    12. juli 2022, Island ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    After a 2 hour off road adventure, we arrived at Landmannalaugar. Translated to “The People’s Pool”, Landmannalaugar is the start of the Laugavegur Trail and base camp for many outdoor enthusiasts, and booked tours. It is named for the natural bathing pools where hot springs mix with glacier melt off for an enjoyable river swim… For us, it was the beginning of an incredible 4 hour hike led by Enriqué.Les mer

  • Hiking Part 1

    12. juli 2022, Island ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    Venturing through a lava field we gained elevation as we went into the mountains that are the rim of an old volcanic crater. Our destination was peak of a the “Red Wave with a Troll’s Finger”

  • Hiking Part 2

    12. juli 2022, Island ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    Past a Sulfurous geothermal area, we arrived at the final push towards our summit. Short but steep, navigating snow and ice in July was a new experience, but the colorful changes were breathtaking. We learned the name of the mountains are such for navigation purposes, so they first inhabitants were able to tell people how to find sites and landmarks. The rocky outcrop was a troll that left his hand out and was kissed by the sun turning him to rock, named such so people could find the bathing river.Les mer

  • The Summit

    12. juli 2022, Island ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    2 hours later we’ve arrived! The wind and gravel be damned, the view was worth the effort as the panorama view was extremely humbling and gratifying.

  • The Descent

    12. juli 2022, Island ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    After lunch amongst the basalt columns, we continued our downward journey back to the trail head, past a river and more awe inspiring views.

  • Base Camp Plunge

    12. juli 2022, Island ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    We returned to the start of our trek with enough time to test the hot springs. Unlike the controlled pools from day one, this river temperature was controlled by nature and where you sat. A unique experience unparalleled, but slightly less relaxing when cold currents came through. We ended our stay with a trip to the Mountain Mall for a coffee before we boarded back onto the bus.Les mer

  • Icelandic Dinner

    12. juli 2022, Island ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Upon return to Hella, our famished stomachs led us to Hygge, situated between a camp ground and a golf course. We were given our first taste of traditional local spirit Brennivin, which you eat with fermented shark. It was an experience but not as awful as someone’s facial expressions… afterwards we had a great meal featuring pumpkin soup, whale, trout, and horse fillet. A tasting experience not to be forgotten.Les mer

  • A Whale of a Time

    13. juli 2022, Island ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C

    Our first stop was to the Sea Life Trust Beluga Whale Sanctuary where they care for and rehabilitate injured whales and puffins . We got to see some puffins up close as well as their two beluga whales - Little White and Little Grey. The whales will be moving out to Klettsvik Bay in a few weeks so our timing was perfect!Les mer

  • Vestmannaeyjabær

    13. juli 2022, Island ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C

    With time to spare we walked around town, to explore. There is zero doubt what the local economy was as the smell of fish was prominent everywhere we went. With eager eyes I left Allie behind and decided to start the climb up Heimaklettur, the highest peak on the island. A nerve racking hike with multiple ladders, ropes and chains to hold onto, and minimal protection from the elements. Only made it half way due to time restraints, but the views were nonetheless amazing.Les mer

  • RIB Boat Ride

    13. juli 2022, Island ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    While the sun was still shining we hoped on a boat for a tour around the island. Cliff side nesting birds were everywhere as we went into seaside caves, saw the effects of the 1973 eruption and newly found coastline, the surrounding islands and their “club houses” and an ending serenaded by non other than Whitney Houston.Les mer

  • Mini Bus Tour

    13. juli 2022, Island ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    After a quick lunch at the local fast food spot, much better than McDonalds, we joined a bus tour to explore Heimaey Island. Views included the local golf course, the valley where the Þjóðhátíð music festival is held, a recreated Viking house (the first Viking settlement in iceland), Icelandic sheep, a puffin nesting ground, Stórhöfði (the windiest place in Europe), and the crater of Eldfell which last erupted in 1973. A great educational journey that included a demonstration of Spranga, local rope swinging used to harvest the eggs of the nesting birds.Les mer

  • Winding Down

    13. juli 2022, Island ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    After a full day, we went to the local brewery and pizza place for a more “traditional” meal. Walking around we found some more intriguing sites before ending the day above a bookstore.

  • Lovely Day for a Horse Ride

    14. juli 2022, Island ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    After another early morning ferry ride, we drove a quick 45 minutes to the beachside town of Vik to try our hand riding Icelandic Horses. Riding along the black sand beaches, we had a very picturesque start of would be a memorable day. Both of our horses were eager to get moving and Allie’s couldn’t help stopping for frequent snack breaks. A perfect match!Les mer

  • Journey to Katla

    14. juli 2022, Island ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    After a quick food stop, we boarded our second off road adventure vehicle to head up to the base of Katla, one of the most active volcanos on Iceland and about 20 years overdue for an eruption. Covered in up to 150 m of glacier ice, the threat to the locals would be the significant flooding and thus, there are no significant towns along the flood plains.Les mer

  • Ice Spelunking

    14. juli 2022, Island ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    Our second journey into a cave, this one was in a glacier and entirely of ice. Our eccentric and knowledgeable guide Thor was himself an attraction, as he took off across quick sand frequently sinking into his knees. And than hacking at the glacier for us to taste… “Don’t mind the dirt, they are minerals and healthy for you”.Les mer

  • Rogue One

    14. juli 2022, Island ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    Our return trip took as to one of the famous black sand beaches where Thor was on the hunt for feeding seals, zipping around the beach. The setting was where the opening scene of Rogue One was filmed, including a cave with the outline of Yoda.Les mer

    Reisens slutt
    15. juli 2022