(Lin)

Today lasted forever, regardless of how “today” is quantified.

On Wed., August 6, we stuffed final belongings into bags and said our last goodbyes to Ace at 2pm EST on August 6, and then loaded into the minivan for the ride to Boston Logan. Thank you to Ryan for taking the vehicle back home. We took off around 7:15 pm, had a fairly uneventful 5 hour flight to Keflavik, Iceland, and arrived at 4:45 am. The camper van rental place didn’t open until 9 am, so we spent four sleepy hours in the airport, snacking on breakfast goodies and coffee until the taxi came for us at 8:40 am. 

It took an hour plus to be introduced to the camper van, agree to any and all liability (or so it seemed), and then transfer our items to the camper (named Frigg, after an Icelandic goddess). The van seems great – sleeps all six of us (everyone shares a full-sized-ish bed), has a fridge, 3-burner gas stove, and a full bathroom. We all agreed it felt a bit like our sailboat, but with less room! It’ll feel tight after two weeks, but we’ve done this kind of close traveling for years and love it. The camper van is a stick shift, so only Lin and Jo can drive it…which is probably okay. The roads here are somewhat narrow, with very little shoulders, and traffic barreling down at high speeds on the opposite side at times. 

Our first stop was at Costco, where we loaded up with food items that will last us at least a week. Iceland is incredibly expensive in most regards, especially with food. We are saving a ton by not eating out and making our meals in the camper. 

From Costco we headed to Reykjavik, where we parked at the Hallgrimskirkja church, the main iconic cathedral in the city with its soaring steeple. We sat to listen to an organ concert, which was lovely, but also sleep inducing, since most of us were running on only a few hours of sleep. We decided to keep moving, and walked down the hill to a cinnamon bun place that Eden and Jo visited when they were in January 2024. Eden was on her way to a semester abroad at Oxford, and Jo decided to make it a fun Iceland stop on the way there. They rented a car and drove around the south part of the island in the snow and dark for five days. So it was great to have their experiences to guide us at first. 

We then headed down the hill to the waterfront, where I flew my drone to catch some city and cathedral views (after carefully reading the regulations). The family briefly stopped by the Penis Museum (yes, really), before heading to the pedestrian zone to window shop, thrift, and take pictures at Skólavörðustígur, the iconic rainbow road. 

On the road again, everyone zonked while I drove and Eden navigated. We rented a hotspot for the van for the week, so everyone has access to their phones (for better or for worse!). Google maps seems to mostly work just fine. Eden and I put together a huge itinerary with various stops that makes it relatively easy to navigate. But we also want to have flex time to explore or spend extra time at spots! 

Our first stop was rather ambitious given our condition: a five mile in and out hike to the Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River, which was both tiring and excellent. The landscape started rugged but turned into lush green hills and cliffs, sort of a mini-Scottish highlands. There was a waterfall along the hike that I pulled out my drone for, of course. At the springs, you can sort of choose your own adventure, with the hotter water upriver, and the cooler water downriver. We found a middle compromise and lounged for nearly an hour before awkwardly changing in the open under towels (as did everyone else) and then hiking back. Sheep are everywhere in Iceland, and I had a little conversation with a lost one on the way baaaaack. 

Finally, finally, we drove to a cute boy scout-esque campground down a beautiful small lane under pink skies of purpley clouds with insane mountains and the coast and ok go playing. Turns out it is next door to the forest service house Eden and Jo stayed at!

It somehow had gotten late – like 10 pm or so, but of course it was still very light outside, something that seems actually quite convenient. We ate Costco udon, all had much-needed hot hot showers, and eventually figured out how to configure all six of us into such a contained space. 

It was an epic, awesome day, and it is so exciting to be here.  We are all so tired — perhaps an average of 2 hours of sleep among us.

Some pictures below; I’m not sure my drone vids can be posted on wordpress yet. Click on each picture for larger versions.