Off to Iceland....Two Days in a Row

Yes, we make it to Stockholm, Sweden, enroute to Iceland.  It is a short night, once we arrive.  Upon landing, Icelandair  directs us to a very nice hotel, connected to the airport.  The nice man at the desk hands us a toothbrush and the tiniest little tube of toothpaste you have ever, ever seen.  Ahhh, with the blackout curtians drawn at 12:30 a.m., we have the luxury of a bed...for four and a half hours of sleep.  Then it's up and at 'em as it's a new day, quick breakfast at 5:00 a.m. And off to, yes, Stockholm Airport security lines.  At least we are already at the airport!

This is my only photo from our "Surprise, you are going to Sweden" visit.  It seems reindeer hides are for sale in the airport.  Everyone needs one?  We have no idea how much 1549 is in Swedish currency, or is it Euros?  Again, no idea.  Except, we don't need one!

We arrive in Iceland at 9:30 a.m., right on time, for the revised schedule.  Although I have notified the car rental people, and the hotel people of our detour and new plan, we are two of many and there is yet another line awaiting us.  By 11:00 we are finally on our way to the Fisherman's Cottages to drop off our bags and figure out today's exploration.  

Today is grey, cloudy and cool.  Maybe it's almost spitting rain.  We decide on....

Good thing we have packed down vests and rain jackets and hats.  We are off to the island where Atlantic puffins hang out.  We hear there are 30,000 nesting pair that show up for the breeding season.  As it turns out, it's not exactly in full swing yet.  We see one puffin flying at a distance (I believe the guide) and one puffin on a hillside, which makes....two.  

Always on the job of researching tours, guides, boats and cruises, I will say the guide was good and her prop was great.  

This, dead, Atlantic puffin makes our total: three.  (I'm not counting the blow up bird outside the ticket office.)

The seas on this fairly short trip were flat calm and being early in the season, only 26 passengers on a boat that usually carries 140.  Smartly, we carry our own binoculars when we travel.  The boat had 5 pair to "share around."  And they were terrible.  

Always interesting to see what's for sale on tour boats.  The guide says lemon lime are the best.

Due to our itinerary revision, we have only more day for exploring.  

We head first to Gullfloss, the largest waterfall on the island, as we never made it that far on our last visit in September of 2015.  The weather plays games with us: the Raining Hard Game, the Sun is Breaking Out Game, the Windy and Raining Again Game, and renditions of the same until dark. (Which is between 2:00 a.m. And 3:00 a.m.)

To the top of the falls we go and back up the trail again.

Then it's time for some "meat stew" in the visitor's center restaurant.  $12.00 please.  Definitely worth it in the moment.  

After much discussion about The Blue Lagoon ($75.00 soaking fee, includes a beauty cream mask?) and the alternative hot pool, we are off for The Secret Lagoon. ($17.00 with senior discount and no beauty mask). Why the discussion, I'm not sure! 

He can't help himself!  Our Baja beach buddies will see this as an extension of his winter activities.

The road home is almost two hours of fascinating Iceland landscape, steam vents, sky colors and of course, an Iceland horse roundup!

Surprise from the rear....look who is passing us!

Steam for the fabulous free energy program.  Lots of heat available for everyone!

The Presidential Home south of Reykjavik is striking.

If walls could talk, I'd be listening to this story.

We are heading home, but not without a great breakfast.  Sourdough toast with tomato and avacado, a drizzle of olive oil and garlic, and there's that shot of ginger juice again with a lime to squeeze.  Don't forget the Icelandic yogurt and granola.  The coffee was great too.  The price, not so great.  $25.00....each!  Did I mention that Iceland is expensive?

Our Icelandair flight from Reykjavik to Seattle is a fairly swift seven hours.  Everything  works, well, perfectly.

Flying in the morning we have a good view of Greenland and lots of ice below as we head to the warm southern climes of the Pacific Northwest.

A little window view....

Sitting out in front of our house the next evening, doing lots of make up ball games with our two biggest fans, Skipper and Sparky, our 70/30 Celebration Adventure Seems almost like a dream.  It is sort of near, just hours old, and oddly, far away in time and space.  

Begs the question: What's Next??

(Who cares say Skipper and Sparky!  We live in the NOW and now...it's time for you to throw the ball, we chase the ball, you give us treats for giving you the ball, so you can throw the ball....over, and over..."To Infinity and Beyond!"  Ain't life great??  Definitely "Two Woofs Up!"  We all agree on that!