grace grits and gardening

ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

Hiking Seyðisfjörður

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For the past two days, John and I have been hiking Seyðisfjörður in the Eastfjords part of Iceland. Seyðisfjörður, a town of approximately 700, is nestled within a fjord surrounded by more waterfalls than you can conjure in your most spectacular dreams. If you follow my personal Facebook page, you may have waterfall fatigue from all the photos I’ve posted. In person, I’m convinced it’s impossible to suffer from such a thing. Each waterfall provides unique beauty. Each one is ever changing.

Mark Twain said, “You cannot surprise an individual more than twice with the same marvel.” While I’m not one to disagree with Mark Twain, I’d bet money he never traveled to Iceland.Continue Reading

Crossing the Arctic Circle (Grímsey Island)

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Crossing the Arctic Circle and Grimsey Island, Iceland
It isn’t every day a girl gets the opportunity to cross the Arctic Circle. But when I find myself in North Iceland, only 25 nautical miles from the Arctic Circle, I can’t pass up the chance. So I booked passage on the ferry out of Dalvik, and John and I made the three hour voyage to Grímsey Island.

(I know what you’re thinking. ?A three hour tour…?)

The Arctic Circle straddles teeny tiny Grímsey Island on the northernmost side. Teeny tiny as in land area of two square miles and a maximum elevation of 344 feet. Seriously, the ratio of real estate to spectacular scenery is off the charts magnificent.

Getting There

The ferry ride was stomach-plunging bumpy. This is a working ferry that transports loads of fish, so no, not luxurious, but comfortable enough with bathrooms and Tom & Jerry cartoons playing on the television. I’d hoped to spot a whale, but we left in dense fog and saw nothing of the gorgeous shoreline leaving mainland Iceland. The small harbor on the island appeared out of the fog the instant we arrived and not a heartbeat sooner.Continue Reading

Iceland Day 3: Driving from Reykjavik to Ólafsfjörður

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Day 3 in Iceland was spent driving from Reykjavik to Ólafsfjörður, a drive that took us about seven hours through every type terrain and microclimate imaginable. This will be a quick post and mostly a photo journal to document the amazingness. So far I’ll say this is definitely a trip to circle, highlight, and remember.

Lava fields in the Highlands area are smothered in bright green moss.

Lava fields, Iceland, Highlands area

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