Days 13-14, May 24-26
Experience 14: landscape
The days following my musical bus fame, we ventured to local towns and studied more craters. We were fortunate to gain a tour of Sólheimar on the 24th, before we departed the following day. While leaving the community and it's wonderful accommodations was equally saddening, increased rain and wind made me fortunate for a dry bus and hours to sleepily gaze at the ever changing landscape. Our next hostel destination, Vagnsstadir, was surprisingly even more remotely located. The drive to this new region represented another complete change in scenery. One of my favorite parts of travel is staring out the window, lost in thought by the continually changing landscape. Iceland's geography is mesmerizing. It is difficult to find continually within the different regions of the country. Mountainous landscapes gradually fade away to be replaced by wide, flat regions, only to spring up again massive amongst the vast flatness. My favorite areas are comprised of ancient magma flows where thickly soft moss has flourished. The moss's effect results in each rock resembling soap spilling out of the holes in a sponge. Our weather has continually fluctuated - snow, wind, sun, fog - sometimes all at once. During our journey to the coastal Vagnsstadir, I was captivated by the foggy envelopment swirling around the Golden Goose. Enormous outcrops and ridges remained partially concealed by the stagnant mist, giving them a very eerie dimension. I was transfixed by this dichotomy between a concealed landscape and the enticement to explore. Eventually the mist parted and the rain lessened enough for us to find our hostel. I am writing this post from a cozy common room with an Icelandic midnight keeping my mind awake but my body tired. Beyond the window I can spot the sea. Originally I was unaware the ocean was so close because of the fog. Without a group member pointing this out, the sea would just be another grey cloud blending into the pale blue sky. As full of emotion as fog can be, I am ready for some sunshine!! Hoping for warmth tomorrow.
Day 15 May 26
Experience 15: Glacial Greetings II
So no warmth - only howling winds that have grown in great intensity. Winds encircled our small sleeping cottage, giving it a very Little House on the Prairie vibe. We emerged early this morning and were slightly more punctual than most days. Today was the day we visited GLACIER LAGOON (not to be confused with Blue Lagoon). Glacier Lagoon is located in a glacial outcrop plain, where miniature icebergs break from the glacier and flow out to sea. Vatanjökull is the second glacier we have visited and the largest found outside of Antartica. It's massive form is large enough to submerge neighboring mountains and its runoff is a bright crystal blue color. The theme of today was layering. The winds at Vatanjökull were the strongest I have ever felt. Perhaps if I had stayed away from the Icelandic cookies the wind would have been able to lift me from the ground. Despite the mental image, you can visualize the strong conditions we were facing. We again were fortunate to spot grey seals zipping through the water, comfortable in the freezing temperatures. With wind whipping my face, I eventually grew numb to the adversity and only focused on what I was seeing - Glaciers, Icebergs, the roaring North Atlantic, and playful seals. I often think about the drastically different environments I have occupied and each time think it could make a great cover story in Nat Geo (still dreaming). Presently, I was staring into electric blue water the farthest north I might ever traveled and struggling to take in all the sensations. My emotional capacity is not large enough for Iceland.
Our professors were giddy with wonder at the looming glacier miles away and continued to hike towards the monstrosity. With the wind at our backs, the hike was only moderately strenuous. Eventually we realized there was no hope of touching the glacier unless we wished to make our visit to the lagoon overnight. After a group photo, we turned around to hike back to the Golden Goose. MISTAKE. The wind on the way back was straight lined and whirling with northern fury. We were immediately facing a struggle. It felt like we were preparing for war over Middle Earth. Despite this blustery battle the glacier exploration was completely rewarding. Our evening back at the hostel has been quiet, as we recover from the wind and contemplate the few days we have left together and on this prehistoric island.
Glacial Lagoon from a bridge
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