Trying to find the Ice in Iceland

Iceland is about the size of the state of Kentucky. It is the world's 18th largest island. Lies just below the Arctic circle just east of Greenland, on the mid-Atlantic ridge, where two plates are spreading. Although it is called Iceland, warm currents keep the temperatures higher than would most areas this far north. So the island isn't completely covered in Ice like you would think. The rumor goes that the first Scandinavian who sailed to the island came across some frozen sea ice, so he named it Iceland. There are glaciers and ice fields on Iceland, which could have helped with the name sticking, but warmer winters keep snow fall from accumulating.

Greenland to the north which is covered in ice thousands of feet thick, is said to have been given it's name as a trick to get people to visit it. Iceland is highly volcanic, experiencing an eruption on average about every 5 years. They say an eruption could happen on the biggest volcano on the island any day now. Early in the year a volcano eruption on the island disrupted flights throughout Europe.

The capital of Iceland is Reykjavik. pronounced, Rey k javik. It's a very beautiful town with lots of cute shops. One of the smallest capitals in Europe, it has lots of European charm. The first day was rainy and stormy, the original forecast was for it to stay like this all week. But the next day the skies cleared.
Reykjavik's tallest building and biggest church. Old whaling ships, rusting in the harbour. Whaling has been a big tradition for Icelanders, but pressure from other nations have all but eliminated it. Some whales are still hunted but only a small percentage of what they used to take. So no need for the Sea Shepard.



To get a real feel for Iceland you have to drive through the country side. It's landscape is as rugged as they come. The highlands are mostly devoid of life. Only small brush and tundra grow. Rocky lava beds stretch for as far as the eye can see. Not the best place to want to hike.Because of the volcanic activity hot spots are all over the island. Strokur geyser is the most famous in Iceland and one of the world's tallest, just shorter than Old Faithful in Yellowstone. It erupts every 5-10 minutes in one big blow, so you get lots of chances to see it. The English word geyser originated from the Iceland Geyser. The great geyser in Haukadalur valley is the oldest in the world.
Pictures from my point and shoot camera, don't capture the power of the eruption. Just before the water is sent skyward, a huge water bubble forms that is impressive to photograph. I captured much better pics with my professional camera. File sizes are to big on my professional camera.


View from path leading to the Geysirs.
A lot of Iceland is flat, The country side torn and molded from the powers of fire and ice.





Gullfoss Water fall.




Wind made the spray from the water fall, freeze to the path leading to the falls, making it a fun ride down.



Although, there wasn't much snow, it was still cold. The air temperature was below freezing and a constant 30-40 mph wind made it nippy.
Driving along the southern part of Iceland.
Very beautiful scenery.


One of the most popular sites visited in Iceland is the Blue Lagoon. The bluish waters have attracted people from all over who want to bath in the mineral rich waters. The water is excellent for people who have psoriasis. The lagoon isn't a natural occuring lagoon rather the product of a geothermal engery plant that uses the heated water from the lava just below the surface to produce electricity, then dumps it out in a pool. A few locals began swimming in it and relized what a great thing they have stumbeled upon. The secret didn't last long. Now the lagoon is a full out spa with restuarant and swim up bar. On a cold day you definetely have to go for a soak. Just rub the mineral rich glay,which they provide to you, all over your face and sit back and relax.
This area of the lagoon isn't open for swimming. The cooler temperatures allows you to see the beautiful blue color. The side you swim on was very steamy, since the air temperature was below freezing. If you want great photos visit in the summer when the air is warm.



While the air was below freezing the water was a relaxing 98-102 degrees. Enjoying the warm waters on a cold day.
They have puckets of white clay, that you can cover your face with, good for the skin.
The lagoon has one big pool with smaller pools connecting to it. Steam baths, showers, and saunas surround the area.




Iceland uses geothermal energy to produce electricity.

Steam rises from a hot spot on the island.


Coastline south of Reykjavik


I didn't get to see a lot of Iceland. Wish I had more time. I definitely want to come back see more of the north and eastern parts. I did get to try puffin for the first time in my life. It was actually really good, at least with the sauce I had on it. Oh and to answer the questions I keep getting from my guy friends. The girls in Iceland are hot, and like outsiders.

Iceland

Still fresh off the plane ride to the rock in the middle of the Atlantic, sleep deprived from flying overnight and watching movie after movie, I have arrived on the beautiful rugged country of Iceland.

It was a beautiful sight flying in. Sun was setting, the light reflecting off the glacier ice on top of the volcanoes. At first you think you are flying into some rugged barren island,with no one around, covered only by ice and snow. Then Reykjavik appears.

I always love flying into new places because the momement you step off the plane you enter a whole new world. New language, different signs, different ways of life. Luckily most icelanders know english, because Icelandic is supposed to be the hardest language in the world to learn, so I had no problem asking questions and getting a bering to where I needed to go. I found out that taking the Fly Bus was the cheapest way to get to capital city Reykjavik, so I bought my ticket which was 2,500 Icelandic kronur,(22 US dollars) and jumped aboard. On the bus trip I still managed to get off at two wrong bus stops, not knowing the language I figured it was better to get off at each stop, then miss it. I looked like a tourist walking my way back down the isle every time with me bags, but I just told people I was from Canada.

After checking into my hostel and trying to hide my valuables from the kleptos, I went out to meet my friend who is a waiter, at a restaurant called Tapas. As soon as I walked into the restaurant I was transported into some romance novel. The charm of the restaurant matched only by how out of place I felt, wearing only my north face fleece, safari pants that zips off into shorts, and hiking boots. Everyone was so perfectly dressed, the women looked like fashion models, and the guys GQ models. So feeling underdressed was an understandment. Though for the record it's the most dressed up I could get, since dress pants and shirt wouldn't be handy traveling across the Sahara Desert. This would have been another good time to mention to the locals that I was from Canada, but the workers already knew I was coming in.

I sat for a few hours at the bar, was served pint after pint of the local viking beer, eat some bacon wrapped scallops, and even joked about ordering puffin, which I heard is served at restaurants in town along with mink whale. I asked if puffin tasted like chicken and they said, "no more like fish." Go figure.

After closing down the restaurant, all the workers gathered around the empty bar and had a few beers and shots with me. When I asked for the tab all they asked for was what I thought about their beer. "if the vikings enjoyed then I enjoy it." The beauty of the people, their pride in their history, only out done by how nice they are. They say every icelander can trace their family tree back to the vikings. In a country the size of the state of Kentucky but only having around 300,000 people, I am excited to see more of Iceland. Only down side so far is the price of things. Everything is rediculously expensive. Even as I write this a girl near me is complaining about how a beer and jack and coke last night cost, 22 dollars. A coke by itself is almost 6 dollars. But this is traveling.

Road Trip through Arizona

It's been fun driving around Arizona, visitng some of the places I have always wanted to photograph, and hanging out with my dad. I have to make it back to this part of the country again. So many places I would love to spend more time exploring. But for those who want to visit Arizona, here's a few places you should see.

The trail from Grand view, down into the Grand Canyon is a great hike. It's steep but has some amazing views. You get away from the crowds fast. Just watch your step.





View from half way down the canyon.





Remember the further down the canyon you hike the further back up the canyon you have to return.
View from the head of the Grand Canyon. Driving west


Meteor Crater near Winslow. This crater is the most preserved meteor crater in the world. It's around 550 feet deep. It was created by a meteor around 110 feet wide.




It's an impressive sight. But had to pay 15 dollars to see it. I hate tourist traps.







Dad hanging out at the crater.



Drive back to flagstaff from Crater.

Red cliffs of Sedona make for a beautiful back drop. If you like artsy towns you will love this place.



Did an awesome hike back behind Sedona in a canyon. The sandstone is easy to climb.

Ask any body in Sedona about what to see while you're there and they all say to hike and visit the vortex's. They say you feel a strong energy. Not sure if you have to be on drugs to feel this because I didn't feel anything. Well here's the only evidence of a vortex. A twisted tree.

Wide angle of twisted tree

Town of Sedona from location of another vortex.

Grand Canyon with my Dad

When planning my adventure I realized that being gone for 7 months was a long time. I was worried that being gone for so long, something might happen to my father before I got back. Two years ago my father had two strokes, which now limits his ability to walk. He gets around the house ok, but his legs can't take much.
So being gone for 7 months this time, I figured it would be fun to take my dad along with me for the first week. Have a father son adventure.

Since my dad can't walk fast anymore and I didn't want to just leave him in the hotel room, my mom rented us a wheelchair, so I could push him around.

We arrived at the Grand Canyon yesterday, which was an amazing sunny day but a little cold and windy. So I bundled him up, to keep warm. The view was amazing. The size and depth of the canyon blows you away. Both of us wanting to see as much as we could, and I wanting to take some photos, I got him into the wheelchair and were off. Luckily there is a path, that is paved, that goes right along the edge, so people can walk the rim of the canyon and soak in the amazing views.

Shots from a point and shoot I bought that takes panoramic pics. Click to enlarge.




At first he hated that he was going to be pushed around in a wheelchair. Stubborness and pride from being a former NFL football player. But the further we went the more fun he had. "This is great,I just sit here and you do all the work"
When ever he saw a sight he wanted to see, I pulled over, put on his breaks and he sat there while I snapped these shots.

When I returned all I would have to say was ,"breaks" or "lets go" and he flipped off the hand breaks and we were off. On the hills he never missed a chance to laugh at me,"your sure sucking wind back there, want to stop and I'll push you for a while." Which I responded out of breath, that we were over 6,000 feet, so there was less oxygen in the air. Plus, the wheel chair wasn't the smoothest moving wheelchair on the market. He took non of my excuses, just laughed.

I got my pay backs on bumps, and the down hills when I would pretend to let him go, which he didn't like. " god damn it son, slow me down," His hands grabbing for the hand break.

All in all the first day was great just spending it with my dad. One I will never forget. We stayed along the rim all day. I pushed him 3 miles along the rim,and around the lodges along the edge. I got to get my shots and he got to travel more distance than he has in a long time, but most importantly I got to enjoy an adventure with my dad. Though a few steps slower than his athletic days,he still had the sense for adventure. We headed inside only to warm up and to get something to eat and drink. We even had a great window view during sunset. I drank my beer, while he had his hot chocolate. I joked with my dad if it was possible to get a DUI, being pushed in a wheel chair. The sunset and we headed back to our hotel room,both worn out, we fell asleep before 8pm.