Iceland - Day 5 - North Coast

Breakfast is at 7:30 so we are up and moving quite early.  We walk up to the main house for breakfast and are seated in their dining room.  Once again, there is enough food here for an army.  The lady of the house stops in and so we engage her in conversation (not an easy feat with these Icelanders).  She is 82 years old and learning English.  Oh my -- I am sooo certain that I will not be able to do the same thing at that age.  Learning a new language now scares me to death.  She tells us about her childhood and all the changes that have occurred in Iceland during her life.  It is enough to make us pause and appreciate the many luxuries that we have had all our lives and taken for granted.  Things like electricity and indoor plumbing.  She did not have those things until the 50's, after she had already married.  We have to laugh at some of the things she says as it is opposite from our perspective.  For example, we have noticed the absolute lack of trees in this country but comment that south of there we had gone through their largest forest on the way here.  Her reaction is swift and emphatic - "Damn trees!  They keep planting them and they are ruining the view."  Funny, but made us think.

It is time to leave Egilsstathir and start our journey across the north coast of the island.  We had a great time here but are saddened that we did not take pictures last night when we arrived as everything was coated with fresh snow and this morning it has all been blown from the trees and bushes.  Live and learn.  It is going to be a snowy day according to the forecast, but the roads should be open all the way to Lake Myvatn so away we go.  As we drive along, the wind is blowing very hard and has formed large drifts on the road everywhere we go.  Many times we have to drive on the other side on several occasions we are fortunate enough to follow a snow plow. as the road is completely covered.  As we drive along, we spot several places where the river is showing through the ice and you can see the water bubbling up through the opening as it travels along.  The snow pack around this spot is at least 6' deep as we are high above it on the road.

Iceland - Day 4 - Eastern Fjords

Early wake up this morning, with breakfast in the large dining room.  Lots of food again, for just 4 people. We eat a leisurely meal, looking out onto the dark ocean. Mister is going back to the iceberg lagoon to get pictures when the sun comes up. I have decided to stay and plan out our day and pack us up so we can leave when he gets back.

Mister drove out and parks at the visitor center building and walks around taking pictures while trying not to slide into the lagoon. As it gets light, he drove back across the bridge to where pieces of iceberg wash up onto the black sand beach.

Iceland - Day 3 - South Coast

It is time to hit the road and explore this island a little bit.  We pack up, head downstairs for breakfast as Mister definitely wants his yummy pastry again, and are soon on our way back the way we had drove last night when returning from the Golden Circle.  As we approach Hveragerthi, we have an overlook view of the area and the same greenhouses from the night before can be seen in the distance.

Iceland - Day 2 - Golden Circle

Day 2 and it is dang difficult to crawl out of bed when it is still oh so dark out.  Today is Golden Circle day and we really should be up and moving already since we have a stop to make first.  We get dressed and go downstairs to the wonderful breakfast that is ready for us.  Oh my -- what a tremendous amount of food.  It reminds me of the breakfasts that I had when in Brazil.  Meats, cheeses, bread, fresh fruit and vegies, etc.  It also has cereal, yogurt and some wonderful little pastries that Mister can't get enough of.  It is a great start to the day and we are ready to go.  Our errand takes us to Icelandic Farm Holidays to book rooms for the rest of our trip.  We want to stay along the southern edge for a few days at some farmhouses and they can book them for us.

Iceland - Travel and Day 1 - Reykjavik

I am still basking in the glow of Iceland.  I am serious -- the entire island in winter is an incredible glow.  Absolutely breathtaking.

We had been tossing around the idea of spending a week in Iceland for quite some time.  It was number one on Mister's bucket list and seeing the Aurora Borealis was on my list as well.  So, after getting an unexpected Christmas bonus at work, we decided to make it our gift to each other and just go.  Such a wise decision -- and a trip that will never be forgotten.  Come along with me down memory lane and I'll share the highlights with you.

As I posted earlier, we were at Amanda's and had both taken a fall down the stairs.  Great start to a trip.  As we departed Cheyenne to drive to Denver and the airport, we had only gotten a few miles out of town and the decision was made for me to drive and Mister to try and rest his back a little.  We talked about just flying straight home, but decided that between Ibuprofen, Aleve, and rest we might make it work. We arrived at the airport early, were given our seats at check-in, and found a quiet hideaway on the second floor above our gate where Mister crashed on the floor for awhile before we went and had a quick meal and boarded the plane to Reykjavik.

Cheyenne Visit with Amanda's Boys

Amanda had called and asked if it was possible for Mister and I to come up and watch the boys while she and hubby went away for a weekend together.  Naturally, we jump at the chance to have time with our grands and so off we went.  We flew out of Dallas very early in the morning and this is our last view as we left.

We arrived in Denver early and after picking up our car and grabbing breakfast, were on our way to Cheyenne.  After visiting with Amanda for awhile, she and Trent packed up and headed out for the fun time away.  We were now officially "on duty" and so away we went.   First task, try and get Caleb to eat --- it is a challenge for sure!







Next, establish that we are here to have fun!


We had a great time playing games, reading, tickling, and just spending time with our wonderful grandsons.

On Sunday, the boys had been invited to a roller skating birthday party and as we prepared for it, we discovered that they had never been roller skating.  Okaaaaay.  I guess it was lesson time and so as we got the skates on them and had them try and get to the rink from the seats, we knew this was going to be interesting.  Off went my shoes and I was out on the floor with each of them working with them until they could try and make a circle around on their own.

They did great and soon were zipping around like pros.  It was fun to watch but we still needed to go and do some shopping for Christmas gifts for this household.  The night before Raef, Ryan, and I had gone to the movies to see Rise of the Guardians and when it finished they had drug me into a Game Stop for Kids and given me the idea for the perfect Christmas gift for them.  Woohoo.  So, Mister and I headed there, picked up their Skylanders game, then ran to Target for a tent for Caleb, and finally a stop at BB&Y for Trent to get a Keurig.  Unfortunately, I had forgotten Amanda's gift at home so she will not have hers under the tree with the others.  I will need to ship when I get home.

After shopping, we returned to pick up the boys and then went back to the house for dinner and baking of cookies.  They were so excited to frost and of course  -- eat.  Mom and Dad arrived back home that afternoon and so stories were told all around.

I went to do laundry to get ready for Iceland that night and missed the lower step in the basement and went flying.  Dang -- Couldn't put any weight on my foot and was really worried about the next day.  Figured I would just go to bed and hope for the best.  The next morning, as luck would shine on me, no pain.  YAY!!  Then as I was coming downstairs from the bedroom, I saw Mister sitting on the coffee table holding his back.  I asked what was wrong and he said he had fallen down the stairs onto the main floor and hit his back.  Great.  Here we go again.  We still had to pack up and head to the airport -- not sure if we were going to Iceland or to Dallas.  He couldn't drive and so I took over and off we went.  Next post -- we'll tell you where we went.  All in all --- it was a great time in Wyoming --- love the boys and our times with them.

Thanksgiving 2012

So lucky this year to have both two daughters, son-in-laws and five grands for Thanksgiving.  It was a busy day, but fun and I was so grateful for this time together.  Jen's family spent the night and then headed down towards Houston for the remainder of the weekend to go to a Christmas Renaissance Festival and some other fun as well.  Ah - mia familia!!