Iceland Day 10 - Glacier

We had a slow start this morning. The lack of darkness and our crazy schedule is catching up to us so we were all tired. (Of course, it could also have been that long hike we were on yesterday.) We slept in and lazed around before finally getting out of the house in the early afternoon. Since it was our penultimate day in Iceland we wanted to do something cool.

Sunrise (at 3:30 am) 

The Eyjafjallajofull glacier

All the boys in front of the glacier

We were on the road for lunch and we tried in vain to find a new restaurant to eat but the area was sparsely populated and the only other place we found had old people quietly eating in a tiny room. We didn't want to bother them so we went to our favorite gas station. This made the kids happy because the gas station had a little cafe in it that served hot dogs and burgers. Iceland hot dogs are really good, even from a gas station, but all the adults were getting tired of this fast food. The boys though loved it and even got to buy their own dessert before we continued on.

Traffic jam in iceland

Silly Christian

Will wants to be a viking

Me and my sons in front of the glacier

We drove down the South coast, past the stunning waterfalls we loved and into the wet and stunning mountains to a glacier on Mt Eyjafjallajokull. Back in 2010 the volcano Eyjafjallajokull (no idea how to say it!) went off covering the nearby area in ash. Now the fields approaching the mountain are covered by miles and miles of lupines.

lupines in front of the mountains

As we drove closer to the mountain the ground became more barren. We parked and began the short walk to the face of the glacier. To walk on top of the glacier we would need to take a tour with an experienced guide but the tours only allowed children over 10. That was fine with us, we were happy just to get close to it. 

James and Christian walk to the glacier

Will's viking pose

The warning sign

It is bigger than it looks

Slowly melting

The glacier was much dirtier than I had expected. I think I was imagining a more impressive sight but it was still really cool to be able to walk up to and touch the glacier. The area wasn't very safe since parts of the glacier would sometimes break off. But we held tight to the kids and didn't get too close. 

glacier peaks

Me and David and the boys

Attack of the viking

David touches the glacier

After the glacier we had planned to visit another waterfall or two but we were all so exhausted that we just went right home. David and I fell asleep in the car and I am grateful that James doesn't get tired while driving! 

Jon catches his puffin

Glacier

Christian loves his puffin

Hanging out at the glacier

David and his nephews

We got home around 8 and took our mid evening nap before dinner. Our schedules are really messed up here, I don't think we've ever gotten used to the time difference. And how could we when it is always light? Anyway, after a late dinner James and the boys climbed into the hot tub to play. The boys found great delight in pretending to be Archimedes and running out of the tub yelling "Eureka!" To their disappointment we made them keep their clothes on.

Boys in the hot tub

Christian's picture of the sun

We had a quiet day today but I am still tired and so I am off to bed. Goodnight!