Training Log Archive: Katnap

Skaftafell Hike to see the glaciers. Picked up an Italian from the German part of Switzerland who felt more confident going with Jen and I through the socked in section. Beautiful hike and the sun came out for the glacier views on the latter half of the hike :D

Day 10 - (Canada Day) drive from Stödvarfjördur to Djúpivogur were we stopped in to look at the Rock Egg display. Then it was onwards toward Höfn. There we went into a neat historical warehouse that was redone up with exhibits and displays about the volcanic activity, Vatnajökull, the great flood, bird life, town history, and the lagoon. From there we went to Jökulsárlón to see the icebergs that have calved into the lagoon & while I was taking a picture of Jen saw an iceberg break apart and crash into the water - an exciting sight! From there we popped into Fjallssárlón a much smaller sight for icebergs but still quite neat and a delicious eatery they had just opened up. After that it was into Kirkjubaejarklaustur for some wifi and then our campsite at Kleifar-Mörk. Beautiful little site with a lovely water fall which cascaded over the rocks, onto a flat section of pebbles, and then into a deep section. We took some pictures and then decided it would be wise to head back to the gas station for some more fuel before our hike! When we returned I followed through with my idea to take a dip in the chilly water. It was delightful! We then had a lovely dinner with a gent from Barcelona who works as a PE teacher in a French caton of Switzerland.

Day 9 - off to Hverir to see steaming ground and mud cauldrons. Went to the Myvatn Natural Pool to soak in luxury for over an hour. Long swim/sitting and enjoying the view, a pummel from the Trolls (falling water features) before going in and out of the wet sauna. Then it was a final dip in the hot tub (40 degrees!), pummel by the main troll and into the change room for a nice shower. After that it was a quick drive to go an explore Selfoss and Dettifoss two very impressive waterfalls on the same river. Then we did the drive from the north to the east coast. Very impressive terrain we came through a valley with a thunder and lightening storm before coming up on a very windy and warm hill to take a picture of the arid terrain! Awesome loved the diverse terrain along this drive quite interesting and captivating! We stopped in Egilsstadir wherein we got groceries and I got Alison and Erica's gifts. Then it was through a 5.9km tunnel - very thrilling and out the other side to witness a cloud climbing a mountain as it moved parallel to Iceland over the water. Stopped to camp at the quite windy Stödvarfjördur.

Icelandic Horse Riding @ Lytingsstadir. The tolt made me smile :D

Day 8 - travelled back the way we'd come through Akureyri to reach Lytingsstadir to go on a 3 hr Icelandic horse ride. Ended up doing the 4hr route in three hours because we were accomplished riders :) along the road, up into the "forest", quick gallop through the meadow, break and a picture on the hill top. Then we travelled back down along the road to a different section, long tölt to a farm house by the river, we rested again here for a wee bit, then it was across the river and home to the main barn :D on the way back to the campground at Heidarbaer stopped in at Godafoss! So pretty and powerful :)

Day 7 - stopped at the wool factory in Hvammstangi saw the factory a floor and bought my red horse-y sweater :D. Then drove around Vatnsnes Peninsula to spot seals at Illugastadir farm (binoculars & short 10min walk) and the sea stack called Hvítserkur which is 15m high! Walked around Akureyri, checked out the church and the shops! Drove on to camping at Heidarbaer.

Latrabjarg (westernmost point of Europe) - Walking around the cliffs looking at PUFFINS!

Day 6 - from Flokalubdar to Latrabjarg to see puffins! Drive back over and to the campground Hvammstangi. There were lots of cute ponies on the hills around the campground.

Longer than envisioned walk/hike up to Glymur - an enchanting waterfall on the way to the west fjords.

Natural hot springs in Reykjadalur - Walk up!

Walk down - all warm from laying and relaxing in the stream.

Day 5 - natural hot springs in Reykjadalur and Glymur waterfall hike. Then drive to the west fjords camping at Flokalundar -very pretty long drive over the tops of cliffs.