Iceland Day 7: 26 Waterfalls, "You Thought I Said Ridge?" and Hair Dryers

Despite weather warnings, we met early for breakfast.  We all watched for an hour as the "guy in the green tent" flapped around in the violent wind and rain just outside the hotel room.  Brett: "He looks really single."  We wished we could offer him a shower and a bed after a truly miserable Icelandic evening for camping.

We geared up.  I think we were all wondering the same thing: "Are we really going to do this?"  The weather was atrocious.

But off we went up the Skógá Trail's 200-step kick start.  It was one of the only places we saw people despite the trail's notoriety.  

Looks pretty...cold.

This hike is when I was certain I traveled with the very best possible trio of couples: every one of us determined to see it all and every one of us thrilled by the new sites even in the driving rain.

What are we doing here?  Trying to adjust jackets to see if there is any way to make the waterproof elements kick in tighter?

The Skógá River snakes through a vast, lucious canyon, and lucky hikers capture 26 waterfalls along the way.  These are no Ma and Pa waterfalls--they are thundering, magnificent creatures and any one of the views was worth the weather.

Which is not to say that we didn't long for shelter or a break from the relentless rain.

Throughout the trip, Cory commented that Iceland was a great place to be a sheep.  I have to say, I'm glad I am not a sheep in Iceland.  I need to warm up at night.

The stops were few and far between--usually just for someone to pee.  Going pee was a significant challenge with all the layers and numb fingers.  

Hikers coming from the opposite direction commented that the trail was closed at the bridge due to weather.  We knew that was where the less desirable segment of the hike began but I do not think any of us really expected we would make it to the bridge--over 5 miles in on the trail.  We hit the last waterfall and could not believe its majesty.  We trekked on, Brady telling us we should make it just over the ridge to be sure we had seen it all.  

 

When we reached the ridge, we saw the bridge half a mile away.  Brady said to the group, "Oh, you thought I said RIDGE?  I said BRIDGE."  We pushed onward to our turnaround--a very underwhelming water crossing but we were pretty proud of ourselves.  At this point, we were all soaked despite the water proof materials that cost us a house payment.

Cory pretending it feels good to nap in the moss when it's freezing.

Skógáfoss waterfall, the first of 26 and the one most people see.

We rushed back to shower and start the hours-long process blow-drying our clothes and shoes.  First, we stopped in the lobby for the most beautiful and delicious cup of cocoa.

Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach: the most famous spot in Vik.  We had it almost to ourselves, which is what I guess you can expect when you go at nearly midnight.

The hexagonal basalt sea stacks, formed when fast-flowing lava cooled over long periods of time.

My favorite picture of the night:

My second favorite:

Brady was out of dry clothes and not appropriately dressed for the chilly wind.

Iceland has all sorts of legends and particularly focus on trolls and fairies (Hidden People).  They build little houses all over for them and many geological features are explained by the folklore.  In this case, the legend tells that two trolls were battling and did not realize the sun was about to come up.  They turned to stone the moment the rays hit them.

Viewing from the other side of the cliff.  There was a bride and groom taking photos--her dress discolored from the black sand and somehow so much more beautiful because of it.

Quotes:

Brady: "Brett, do you want me to let you out of the backseat?"  Brett: "Please don't make me."

Shireen: "My emergency preparedness is 'How far is the Circle K?'"

Shireen: "Only the heavy people will be here to watch the children." (Regarding gale-force winds)  Brett: "Natural selection."

Brett: "Eye five!"  (Not taking hands out of the pockets for a high five.)

Other comments were made but I was too cold to take my hands out of my pocket.  Also, the whole group makes witty comments but it's hard to keep with the Olsens.