Re-Entry

Coming back from vacation is never easy.  There's too much laundry, food shopping, neglected mail and other sorts of drudgery that can handily swallow all your time for days and days.  For these mundane reasons, and because we had some 1400 photos (love ya digital camera), it's taken a while to get to posting photos.

Well since I meant to hit "Save as Draft" but instead published that opening paragraph, without further ado, here are some scenes of Iceland, where it is easy to believe in magic:

The Snaefellsjokull across the lava fields at Dritvik.  This is the glacier where Jules Verne set the initial descent in Journey to the Center of the Earth.

What can I say?  I loved this sign as we walked along the coastal cliffs at Dritvik.

A rocky and astounding shoreline.

There were lots, and lots of sheep everywhere.

Geysers at Geysir, the location that gave it's name to the phenomena.  This is Strokker, the Great Geysir doesn't spout, except with assistance these days!

Waterfalls, this one is Gulfoss, Golden falls.

Elephant Rock on Heimaey, the largest of the Westman Islands.

Puffin near the Westman Islands, click for big, or check it out on Flickr, for a better view.

Last photo.

A house buried under the ash and lava on Heimaey.  One of the friends we were staying with grew up on this small island off the southern coast.  He told us about delivering newspapers to houses that are now buried under lava, like this one.  I remember seeing news coverage of this eruption in 1973 both because they were able to evacuate all 5000 residents, but also because of the engineering effort that went into cooling lava to keep the harbor from being blocked.

I could offer up more of a standard travelogue, but it's all just blather.  If you get the chance, go see this country.  It's wild and delicate, harsh and unbearably beautiful.   I won't forget it anytime soon.

There's more on Flickr and more to come as I finish going through the massive number of pictures, but don't worry, I won't post all the photos from the trip!

Comments

[Michelle]

Going on the photos alone your vacation must have been spectacular! Did you bring home any lopi?

[Marina]

Isn't Ravelry a great way to postpone the inevitable ;-)

Well, that pic answers the kids question as to whether puffins can fly. Great shot!

[Chris]

That sign sure doesn't pull any punches, does it?! Great photos! Have you read John McPhee's The Control of Nature? That town in Iceland where they tried to cool the lava is one of the things he focuses on. (The other two are wildfires in the hills of southern California, leading to mudslides, and the Mississippi River in Louisiana.)

[beverly]

I had hoped to get to Iceland this year, but it will probably have to wait until next year. You're pictures are fantastic!

[Lorraine]

Anmiryam- The photos are fascinating- this is a place most of us will probably never get to see.

How was the wool situation there?

[maggie]

LOVE Elephant Rock!
You know how people say things like, "And over to your left you'll see an outcropping shaped like Mona Lisa."
And you're all, "Where?? Where???"
Well, FINALLY, with Elephant Rock, I see it, I SEE IT!
Thanks for enticing us to see this beautiful land!

[Dr.Steph]

Stunning landscape. Now on my list of places to visit.

[ang]

I wanna go! Do you think it would be a very puppy friendly country?

[Romi]

Wow. How gorgeous!

[vanessa]

breathtaking!

[Steph VW]

Wow... your pictures are beautiful! You must have had a spectacular time!

[Meg]

Hey! I was excited to get your comment on the blog tonight! How are you? I've linked you to my usual email address, so we can keep in touch. Writing this, I feel like I'm signing a high school year book.
HAGS,
Meg

[Kathy Sue]

I have made a copy of the Puffin in flight for my Mom. She loves the dear little birds, and will be thrilled with such a clear picture of one actually being a bird!

Looks like an amazing place, does Iceland.