FAMILY TRAVEL CHECK-IN

Friday, the day of summer solstice, the longest day of summer back in the states happens to be a time here in Iceland where we will get just a couple of hours of what weather people call “civil twilight”—enough light where objects are clearly distinguishable and outdoor activities can carry on (if dawn) or end (if dusk) without any sort of artificial illumination.  What a day--21 hours and 8 minutes of daylight!  We took a bus tour called the “Golden Circle Tour” today and  learned of a golf course nearby where they do an all day—all night tournament, marathon golf!  If we didn’t have an early morning flight out, I’d be tempted to enter it.  

We wrap up our stay in Iceland tonight and head tomorrow for London, England.  We wanted to give the whole family a chance to check-in on the Wesberry family travel fest thus far.  Just to set the stage today, we ate breakfast in after a great night of sleep.  We found a grocery store nearby called “Bonus” (their logo is a big fat pink pig, kind of like Piggly Wiggly in South Carolina!)  and enjoyed yogurt, muesli, fruit, coffee, and juice then got ready for our big day of travel and site seeing.  

The tour was on a large bus, and it took us to see a live Geysir about 1.5 hours northeast of Reykjavik.  Though it was cloudy today and only about 50 degrees, the landscapes were breathtaking, and we got to see huge fields, horses, livestock, mountains, and lakes on the way there.  After Geysir, we went to a massive waterfall created by a glacier melt at Gullfoss, then we went to a huge national preserve with a large lake (85 sq. km) that included some incredible places for salmon fishing and camping, a place named Pingvellir.  The incredible thing about Pingvellir is it is where the American Continental Plate and the European Continental Plate are pulling away from each other at a blazing pace of 3 cm per year!  That’s right, we saw some continental plate cracking with our own eyes!  Pingvellir also happens to be the place where way back in the 800s AD, the people formed their first governmental system for Iceland, a parliamentary style system where people gathered and debated over issues and voted on solutions with the majority ruling.  So…it was quite a day, a wonderful day, punctuating a most incredible trip to a cool country.

Here’s Sarah’s take on the day: I have a new goal:  to become an elf “interpretator” (as our tour guide described the sacred role) so I can help Iceland develop their infrastructure and still maintain good relations with the elfish world.  Fortunately, I will be able to get a jump start on this goal tonight, since the summer solstice is said to be particularly magic and my chances of seeing an elf are greater tonight than at any other time of the year.  Other fun solstice opportunities:  If I happen to meet an animal at a crossroads, he (or she) will be able to speak to me, and if I go down to the seaside, the seals will have turned into people and will try to lure me into the sea.  I love this place!  

Aubrey’s perspective: For the most part the day was great except the long boring bus rides from here to there, but the good thing about the bus was we heard story’s of elves, trolls ,and magical creatures that can talk![as my mom mentioned]. The elves lived in big rocks for houses and are told to be able to communicate with the few people with special power to to understand them. 

The trolls only come out tonight, summer solstice, and frolic around the streets dancing. The magical animals that come and cross the streets can talk[but only when coming to cross the streets]. And the seals [oh the seals!] can turn to into humans only today, and try to lure other humans into the sea. The story’s put me to sleep and when I woke I got to see some great sites of Iceland! My favorite site of Iceland was the geyser that erupted ever 8-10 minutes! A great day to sum it up!

Will’s thoughts:  So far Iceland has been a blast. The air is cool but not cold and definitely not hot or humid.  We did have long bus rides but it was a good chance to take a nap.  And the sights where awesome.  The stuff about the trolls and elves and seals I think came from hammered people who where just being hammered people. When I say hammered I mean drunk. Myfavorite sight was where the tectonic palates where pulling apart and I knew all about thanks to Mr.Lane.  Now on to my favorite topic.  FOOD.  The best place to for breakfast and tea was the Lundromat it’s a must for great food and drink.  Iceland is also home to some weird candy bars like the Nizza and Curlywurly.  The prices are weird so you can spend 1100 kr and that’s like ten bucks.  But Im adjusting just in time to leave.  All in all I love not to be mistaken with the Macdonalds slogan “I’m lovin’ it.”  Will out~PEACE! P.S: You can follow me at Instagram: will_wesberry.

Wain here:  my favorite memory of the day was seeing the huge waterfall and hearing the story about Iceland’s first environmentalist, a beloved old lady who spent the bulk of her life fighting big business to protect the waterfalls she loved.  She won!  Favorite memory of Iceland:  climbing the tower in the church a few blocks away and watching the kids’ faces as they looked out over the city.  London, ready or not here we come.