Iceland: Land of Fire and Ice 2021
Our September visit to Iceland included a 20-day journey around the entire island, following the “Ring Road” and stopping for couple nights or more at 8 locations. By taking a little more time, we were able to appreciate the natural beauty and visit more of the back road areas including the “F Roads” and many hikes along the way.
Our experience in Iceland was enhanced by having a local guide (Ingimundur Sigfússon) with us for most the trip. He helped us get to the best places safely and efficiently and gave us insight and an appreciation for the history and geology of the sites we visited.
Iceland was initially settled in the ninth century and was populated by Norseman from the Viking Age. Iceland was also home to Leif Erickson (Son of Erik the Red), who sailed from Iceland to North America (around 1,000 AD), claimed to be the first European to set foot in America – nearly 5 centuries before Christopher Columbus! (Fun fact )
Our visit started with arrival in the capital city of Reykjavik. The city’s name means “Bay of Smoke” from the steam that rises from the geothermal areas around the city. Speaking of names, an interesting fact is the way that the Icelandic people name their children. First name is a typical Icelandic name and last name is the first name of their father or mother. This makes it a bit of a challenge to track family history!
Iceland has about 650,000 people and Reykjavik is home to about 65% of the population. So as you travel throughout the country you see many more sheep and Icelandic horses than people!
The geological location of the country is fascinating and results in diverse and an ever-changing island. 11% of the island is covered in glaciers and there are 130 known volcanoes and 30 “active” volcanoes! The island is covered with lava flows from as recent as today, to 70 million or more years old. Crossing through Iceland is the Mid-Atlantic Ridge where the continental planes of North America and Euroasia are moving apart at about 1 inch per year. This interface of the two planes is what causes the volcanos, geothermal areas and frequent earthquakes. The geothermal natural resource generates virtually all of the electricity used by citizens and industry and hot water is piped from the geothermal sources to all homes and businesses.
The diversity of beauty is too extensive for us to describe in this blog, but hopefully we captured a just a little of the amazing areas we experienced while in the country.
Driving from Reykjavik toward the western peninsula
Snaefellsner Peninsula and Arnarstapti
Langjokull Glacier and Husfell Falls (From the west - driving toward center)
Glymar Waterfall Trail Hike
Godafoss falls and area
Diamond Circle, Ditti, Selfoss, Haifiagfoss
Lake Myvatn area and Hyvefjall crater
Eastern area, Fjords, with Gufufoss
Drive South and west to Vestrahorn
Diamond beach, Lagoon Glacier and drive to Ranga
Highlands: Landmannalaugar and Haifoss
Highlands: Thorsmork and Stakkholtsgja Canyon
Golden Circle: Thingvellin, Geyser, Gullifoss, and snowmobile on Langjokull glacier
Southern area and Thrihnu Kagigur volcano tour
Highlands: Hveravellir and Kerlinggarfjoll
Blue Lagoon Iceland Resort
