kyrkan

waterfalls & geysers in the North Atlantic

Published September 12, 2013

I discussed Iceland as a ‘bucket list’ destination with my friend Dawn more than 4 years ago.

Soon after, a massive volcanic eruption (Eyjafjallajökull) disrupted air traffic not only in Iceland but across all of Europe as well. Additionally, I closed on my Colorado home in December 2009 (moved in Jan 2011 – a full year later).

Summed up – life happened.

Fast forward 2013. Dawn put the Iceland bug back in my ear in January. I laid down a $300 trip deposit in March. Purchased airfare in June & bam – on September 10^th, boarded a plane to Reykjavik.

Had planned a volcano hike on Wednesday but landed late due to bad weather. Ho hum. Plan B – boarded Flybus at the airport with Dawn & Stephen (who arrived 2 hours earlier from Boston) and spent the day at Blue Lagoon, a hot springs resort outside of Reykjavik. Plan was to stay active & awake – adjusting to ‘Iceland’ time before our island circle tour departed Thursday (the following morning). Check, done.

Waterfalls & geysers

Spent Day 1 travelling southern Iceland. Highlights: Gullfoss, Seljalandsfoss & Skogarfoss waterfalls. Each came with a unique Viking saga; each imprinted a permanent indelible memory. Gullfoss “Golden” waterfall is thunderous & powerful – similar to our Niagara Falls. The spray alone pulled me in – addicting, left me wanting to feel a part of this amazing force. Temps hovered just above freezing but [that] didn’t stop me from my first Day 1 drenching. Adventurous, amazing start.

Trekked literally behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall – BEAUTIFUL (and cold and wet – all at the same time 🙂 ). Our tour guide Ingi-Gunnar gave us only 20 minutes at Skogarfoss waterfall. Just enough time to run UP & catch a view from the top. How many opportunities does one get to climb a waterfall in Iceland, right? FAAANTASTIC!

In between waterfalls, toured Geysir, Iceland’s largest geyser (& from where the term ‘geyser’ originates). Additionally, watched its sibling Strokkur spew boiling sulfur-laced water upwards – before nabbing a bowl of fish soup for lunch.

Ended the day at Dyrholaey, Iceland’s southernmost point, climbing large volcanic rocks overlooking the sea. WOW WOW WOW!

Glaciers & icebergs tomorrow – seriously LOVIN’ this place!

: Destination: Reykjavik, Iceland

: first sight of land after 7 1/2 hour flight from Denver

: Welcome to Iceland & Hekla volcano

: much colder than yesterday’s Colorado temps

: Gullfoss “Golden” Waterfalls

: HUGE waterfall – check out folks on rock shelf (center left)

: thunderous, massive power

: not just green but EVERY shade in my Crayola box – LOVE!

: check out that spray – AMAZING!

: crazy wet start to my Iceland adventure

: Geysir – Iceland’s largest (& where the term ‘geyser’ originates)

: Geysir’s active sibling, Strokkur

: not as big as Old Faithful but erupts every 8 minutes

: sheep gathering after free-ranging the Highlands all summer

: bus detour/turnaround – literally miles of sheep

: Seljalandsfoss waterfall

: trekking BEHIND the waterfall – SUPER fun!

: today’s WOW shot!

: nope not dreaming – I’m really in Iceland

: Skógafoss waterfall – yep, climbing this one

: well worth the hike UP — FANNNNTASTIC!

: look who’s at the end of my rainbow – Dawn!

: South Shore black sand & volcanic rock

: Dyrholaey, Iceland’s southernmost point

: awesome day of waterfalls & geysers — glaciers & icebergs tomorrow

Posted in Europe | Tagged beachcombing, geysers, kyrkan, waterfalls | 2 Comments

hike #62: Wheeler Peak (NM) 13,159ft

Published September 2, 2013

3 day holiday weekend – rest & relaxation. Huh? I don’t think so.

Ran a 10 mile race Saturday 7am, back home showered at 9am, drove north to Longmont & dropped off Ro at Windstar Kennels by 10 – then hit I-25 South for a long weekend in Taos, New Mexico. The plan? Food, art and…hiking of course. In particular, New Mexico’s highest point – Wheeler Peak – a 13er approx 30 minutes from the Colorado border.

Woke early on Sunday & drove north to Taos Ski Valley for ‘hike day’. Added 30 minutes to my journey thanks to iPhone directions which pushed us on Indian Service Route 700 – a 3 mile dirt road stretch thru an Indian reservation. Scenic sage & yellow mustard dotted the native NM landscape. Nice diversion; sometimes best to take the road less traveled 🙂

Driving UP through Carson National Forest, was surprised by the lush New Mexico surroundings. I had pictured cactus & desert in NM – not so, this place overwhelmed with bursts of colour and earthy scents of spruce & pine.

Parked, geared up, then hiked 3 miles to Bull-of-the-Woods meadow before veering onto Wheeler Peak trail. Another mile past treeline was welcomed by stunning colour – yellows, greens, dull orange & vibrant patches of red wild flowers. Wildlife tally – marmots & bighorn sheep. What an amazing panorama!

Up the initial false summit, caught my first glimpse of Wheeler Peak. 3 or 4 more ‘false’ summits later, had climbed not one but 2 13ers (Mt Walter and Wheeler Peak). (unfortunately) Stopped no more than 20 minutes for pics & a food break before trekking down, darting from immense clouds carrying rain, thunder and streak lightning.

HAPPY MOMENT – Not far past Mt Walter on my hike return, the sun peeked out creating a double rainbow – literally we were hiking ‘over’ the rainbow 🙂 Finished the last mile bushwhacking in & between mountain roads before stumbling upon Taos Ski Resort (mighty fine luck – sometimes good things happen to good people).

Sunscreen, salt residue & a little dirt didn’t stop us for filling our stomachs soon after. Washed in a bathroom basin and ended the day with dinner at Sabroso – HIGHLY recommended!

SHORT DETOUR – Traveled home via San Luis – Colorado’s oldest town, established in 1851. Walked the Stations of the Cross to a small Catholic chapel built high above the local village.

Perfect end to an outstanding weekend! Big FAN of Labor Day!