Ok, so technically this trip started yesterday. All 6 of us scrimped and scavenged so that we could take a big family vacation together. We met up in Nashville, which is currently having a heat wave with temperatures likely to hit triple digits with the heat index over that, flew to Minneapolis/ St. Paul to change planes, and landed at the airport in Keflavik, Iceland Saturday morning at 7:30am, with the temperature a brisk 48 without accounting for the wind and light rain. Positive? It does encourage you to wake up!

So, we flew all night, but arrived (obviously) early in the morning. What should we do? Go see things! This is a vaca…. trip to explore a wonderful new country. We loaded up in our minivan (the choice for all of the hippest families driving in unfamiliar landscapes) and zipped right over to our first scheduled activity, the Lava Tunnel Tour. We really enjoyed this brief venture underground. The lava tunnel was formed by a lava river. Some years post lava flow, there were some collapses, creating some holes from the surface into the cave. We are guaranteed that the cave was discovered accidentally by an unfortunate sheep; all elaborate tales that insist that the sheep fell in and died, and then the farmer fell in and died, and then the farmer’s wife fell in and died (and then, and then, and then) are purely works of fiction! Anyway, saw lava rock, colored by iron, sulphur, and some moss. We learned that the porous nature of the volcanic rock means there is really no echo—and no bats live in the cave because it doesn’t allow for echo-location. Aside from that fact, there are no bats in Iceland anyway. ;)

Post tour, we stopped for a quick bite to eat, and then on to Thingvellir National Park to see Almannagja Gorge, where two tectonic plates converge (North America and Europe). They both continue to move in opposite directions, West and East respectively. There are some gorgeous formations, cracks, faults, and fissures. Next, on to the Geysir geothermal area. While the Geysir geyser last “erupted” in 1935, the smaller Strokkur geyser still erupts 30 meters up every 7-8 minutes regularly. It will still take you by surprise. It did me. This area is full of hot springs, steaming vents, and fissures—and flowers, because it is technically summer. Really beautiful! No time to nap yet, one more big thing on today’s agenda, the Gullfoss waterfalls. While the rain kept us from seeing it’s signature “golden glow”, they are truly gorgeous and well worth a look.

Can’t tell a lie. We are all dragging tonight. Had another low key bite for dinner, and then very thankfully check into our hotel for a shower and goodnight’s sleep. Day 1, check! Let the adventure continue!