White Out to Green Skies

The Coronavirus is the main topic here as in the rest of the world.  There have been a proportionately higher number of cases in Iceland than any where else.  We are with people from a half dozen countries, each following what is happening at home.  We all follow what is now standard cleanliness protocol.

The concern for many is how they can get home.  We fly into Seattle and hope we can transfer to Alaska as planned.  There are a few other Californians on the trip.  We have discussed renting a car in Seattle to drive home if necessary and possible.
Meanwhile we are lucky for the distraction of amazingly beautiful scenery, lovely travel companions and a great guide.

Interesting points:

People of the countryside come together to sing in choirs during the long winter.

In the 1500-1800s distance was measured by the number of sheep/calf skin shoe inlays that were worn our during their trek.  These inlays were the main gifts for special occasions.  Everyone wore the same shoe.  Church services were mandatory.  Shoes were removed during services.  You recognized your own shoe by the inlay color.

Cairns marked travel routes, indicating places of danger, places to rest or as a monument.

Until 1986 no beer was allowed so that drank a liquor made from potatoes.  Dried shark is a local delicacy.

Snow, we woke up to a beautiful flake-filled world with a foot of snow on the path out our window.  This snow makes great snowballs.  Too bad my aim is so poor.

This photo, out of the window of the bus, shows the skill of our driver.  I would not have driven the RV in this weather.  This was the good part of the road.

One way bridge means only one car at a time, alterate directions taking turns.  Otherwise, crash, common among tourists.   Saw several drivers stuck in the snow, most tourists who shouldn’t be driving in these snowy conditions.

Jokulsarlon (Glacial) Lagoon National Park was developed in 1093.  Like the rest of the glaciers throughout the world, this one is melting.  Icelanders have deep concern over shrinking glaciers and changing climate as part of their daily lives.

Extreme is too basic a word to describe the beauty of this park (and a lot of other places on our trip).  This area is very popular and the parking lot was overflowing.
There are no roads in the park.  We just learned that as of today this park is closed due to the virus.  We have been so lucky.

The way the peak of the glacier revealed itself to us was cloud cover, then clear viewing, then another cloud.  Beautiful!

The Glacial River had some deep blue hues.

The fine black sand of the beach, feels like tiny grains of salt. It is called the Diamond Beach because of the ice that is all over.

Anna Lee named this  “Golden Gate Bridge in the Snow”

A model posed in a bikini on the wind swept super cold beach.

The night sky cooperated and granted us an opportunity to see a performance of the Northern Lights.   The green ribbons wave along the horizon dimming, reshaping, broadening and glowing.