Crater and Waterfalls, Wed, 8/10/22

Today was our first Iceland tour for the four of us (me and Jimmy, Nannie and Bubba).  We'd travel north and east of Reykjavik to see waterfalls and maybe walk to the top of a crater.  The weather remains a constant -- chilly, gray and wet.  We thought we had prepared well, but we could've used more cold weather clothes.  Nannie and I each bought an ear coverer (pretend that's a word), which we truly needed.  Our guide, Bjarni, drove as we gawked, and imparted valuable information as we went along.  He picked us up in front of our hotel at 8:30, and we were gone till 4/ish.  Long day, chock-a-block full of sights and vistas.

Leaving the Hvalfjörður Tunnel, which is over three-and-a-half miles long beneath the fjord (or some say the Atlantic Ocean).  Begun in 1996 and finished in 1998, it cuts travel time down a lot, since otherwise you'd have to drive all the way around the fjord.  Not too scary, even though you're "down under" for quite a spell.

Land of waterfalls, all sizes, all volumes.

All admirable.

This was our first "attraction" -- Hraunfossar (Lava Waterfalls).  None of us had ever seen anything like this -- unusual and exceptionally beautiful, as the water seemed to magically spout from the lava like so many spigots.  I can only relate what I read:  This series of waterfalls comes from rivulets streaming over a distance of about 90 meters (300 feet) out of Hallmundarhraun. Indeed, this mystical lava field flowed from an eruption of a volcano lying under Langjokull glacier over a thousand years ago.

Really something to see/hear in person.

This is Barnafoss (foss means waterfall in Icelandic), and this one has a whole 'nother story attached to it.  You can Google it if you'd like to learn more.  The water is frightening in its violent force.

But then you see the pretties -- this low-growing violet-colored flower is Arctic Thyme.  I crushed a tiny leaf between my fingers and I can still smell the fragrance of Thyme when I see the picture.

Yup, we walked across it, whew.

Then we were on our way to Deildartunguhver Thermal Spring.  Man, you could smell it before you saw it (well, almost).  The warm steam felt so good to those of us who were cold (like yours truly, above), but you walked away feeling very damp and kinda smelly!  That's scalding water boiling out of rocky algae-covered outcrops.   

Situated on a beautiful farm, Deildartunguhver is the most powerful hot spring in Europe with a flow rate of 50 gallons of water per second.  Deildartunguhver supplies most of the water for heating homes and businesses in the towns of Borgarnes and Akranes. It travels through a 40-mile pipeline, the longest of its kind in Iceland.  Using natural resources wisely.

The Glanni Waterfall on the Norðurá River is said to be the dwelling place of elves and trolls.  But we didn't see either of those.  We did, however, see a cute li'l Redwing Thrush (Robin family) hopping around, below.  How can I say this waterfall was just as impressive as any!  It was majestic.

Our final stop was Grabrok Crater.  Oh the weather!  Wind so fierce that the mist/rain stung as it hit our faces.  Dislike!  Not many people Out and About here!

So, did we want to climb the many steps up to the top of the crater directly above Jimmy's hat?  In this weather?  What?  Yes?  Okay, then, Jimmy started up first.  Nannie and I followed.  Bubba and Bjarni were the tail end, and they were smart, 'cause they only went half way up.

You see Bubba and Bjarni below at the red checkmark.  The tour van is parked at the smaller red x on the right.  Also can you spot what turned out to be an old sheep corral?

Jimmy got to the top and said he'd done it, and that was it, and he was heading down.  Nannie is hiding her face from the wind.  We were nearly bowled over at the summit.  I think Jimmy said there was something like 500 steps to the top -- geez.  So cold up there, we were freezing.

She and I started down, but we wanted to see what the rock wall fencing was for, and, as I mentioned, it was used as a sheep corral -- The Old Brekka Corral was built in 1872 and it's been a listed archeological site since 1964.

After this full day of first-rate sightseeing, we returned to Reykjavik.  Bjarni told us about a thermal pool just two blocks from our hotel and showed us where it was.  Oh boy!  Suits and towels in our carry bags, we set off for a delightful finish to our day -- a long soak in a hot pool.  Best part is we got in free because we're over 65!  Dinner out and we were all in for the day.

Tomorrow is another tour day, a totally new adventure!