We got back from an overnight hike yesterday. It was 32km long, it was Mikes first real hike and he did really well. Looking back I realize how mean that was, making him carry his stuff and go for 32 km. But he really liked it. It was beautiful along a canyon and it was relatively easy. Although there was some rock climbing portiong in the begining, kinda tricky with a pack. We are stuck in Myvatn because I didn´t read the bus schedule right. So just resting after our long hike. Heading off tomorrow, to a place that I forget how to spell and can´t pronounce.

Icelandic Story

Well I have my first good Icelandic story. Today we were got off our bus, and as it was pulling out of the parking lot, Mike realized he had forgotten his camera on the bus (we were inside an information building). With my backpack on, I started running after the bus waving my arms in the air trying to catch the drivers attention. Of course it didn´t work. The bus went out of sight and I was just starting to walk when a girl called out from her vehicule that she would take me to the bus. So I hopped into the vehicule figuring an Icelandic girl seemed pretty harmless. She tried her best to catch the bus. I kept saying how greatful I was and she said "this is a government vehicule, so the government is paying for it" and laughed. We caught the bus shortly after and found the camera. Poor Mike of course had no idea where I was because he had still been inside when I took off in the vehicule. And when he went outside, I was gone. So we found him running down the road looking for me.

What a nice thing to do for a strange tourist!! I told her that I already thought Icelandic people were so lovely, but now I had definate proof. She laughed and said she was glad I would have a story that made Icelanders sound like wonderful people.

I guess I´m not really one to talk about not reading blogs or commenting, I only occasionally check blogs and rarely leave comments. But Sarah it´s nice to hear from you, it´s been a while.

Aunt Noreen, that´s really exciting about Emma Rose. I will look forward to hear about her progress!!!

Dear Tricia and Aunt Noreen

Since you two are clearly that only ones that care, I will just adress this post to you.

That sucks Tricia about the flights. Probably something will come up agan, just keep looking. I´m still in for Morocco if everyone else is. Heck I´ll go alone.
Went into a great knitting store yesterday. They were selling lopi light for 350kroner (around $4). Does the website say how much it is at that factory? She had the skirt I want to make there. It was in brown...and so pretty. Also go a great idea for a felted hat from ones I´ve seen in the tourist shops. Hotmail won´t work on this computer so I can´t check to see if you emailed me the link for the directions. If you want wool for any specific pattern just tell me, as they will probably have all the books there and I could get it for you. I will try my best to get there.

Had the best bus ride ever yesterday. The fun began shortly out of Rekyjavik with about 30 horses blocking the road for 10 minutes. Then it was sheep at random times. I hadn´t realized what our bus pass entitled us to, so we ended up going to geysir and gulfoss again (meaning I wasted 100 each on the tour....oh well). But it was nice to see it again. Then the craziest roads ever and just dirt roads. Thank god I didn´t decide to rent a car....I can´t imagine driving on these roads. The driver kept letting us off for "photo stops" and then frantically counting after to make sure he wasn´t leaving anyone in the wilderness. There was seriously no houses for 5 hours of the trip. Definate wilderness. We had lunch at a nice hot spring.

Keeping up the tradition of nightly swims in the local hot pool. I love it. Plus then I don´t have to use the dirty shower at the camp ground. They make you shower naked before and after the swim in an open shower room, which is kinda uncomfortably but whatever.

Today we went whale watching. We saw a humpback whale, minkes whale, and about 10 dolphins. We both suck at getting good pictures, but it was funner just watching them. Sorry no pictures yet, internet is cheapest at the libaries but no USB ports. And I was too cheap to do it in Reykjavik where it was so expensive.

Tomorrow going to Myvatn for the weekend and probably doing an overnight canyon hike.

We havent even had to pack up to another place yet, and finding how much more time it takes to cook your food and fiddle with a stove. So far I have just made Mike play with the stove. Guess I should learn. Tomorrow will be the true test when we have to get up and get all our gear together for 8 am. Yesterday we also did not make our tour, and we just had to cook breakfast. But its been fun regardless.

On Sunday we just wandered around Reykjavik in the pouring rain. Yesterday we went on a tour to see Gullfoss (a spectacular waterfall) an active geysir, and Pinveiller (an important historical park). Each evening before sleeping we have warmed up in the hot pool beside our hostel. I think I could get use to that. There are hot pools everywhere in Iceland....itś basically the temperature of a hot tub but a pool. Of course we saw some stunning scenery yesterday, landscape is so rugged and beautiful.

Today we are just going to wander around Reykjavik again, see museums and stuff. Usually not much of a museum person but I like them here. The weather cleared up yesterday and itś nice again today. I guess the rainy cold is pretty normal here, but they have had an unusually warm summer.

I do enjoy being back in Scandinavia and all the wonderful knitted garments. Also love the food in the grocery store as well. Unfortunately not able to live off bread and cheese and potato salad with Mike (thats what Tricia and I did). But basically just find anything that need to add water to and thats what we are eating.

Tricia email me the link with the Lopi store info.

Iceland

Arrived here safely. Having fun but itś raining, which is always interesting when camping. But who really cares.....weŕe in Reykjavik!!!! Just spent the day wandering once we finally got going, tomorrow heading out to see the Geysir, Gulfoss and some other stuff. Blogging will likely be brief here as internet (along with everything else) is ridiculously expensive.

Halifax

Got here safe, just tired from getting up at 2:45 am to catch our plane. The hostel is ok, free internet which is good. Hope to go exploring this evening.