LOCALadk Magazine

LOCALadk | Epic Journey enjoying a photographer's dream of hour-long sunsets of the midnight sun; touring the winding roads around dramatic coastal fjords; freely drinking pure-tasting running water anywhere in the outdoors without fear of contamination; driving 4x4 vehicles expedition-style for days through vast, barren, bleak yet strangely enchanting Highland gravel plains among giant ice fields. Icelanders also have a unique history and culture resulting from their historical isolation and traditional fishing lifestyles close to nature and the sea. Norwegian Vikings first settled in Reykjavik, the capital, before venturing onward to North America. Iceland's settlement history is recorded in the Icelandic Sagas, which are well-read, even today. According to a surprisingly large number of adamant Icelanders, trolls and elves, which are frequently brought up in conversation, may possibly be found hiding among the weird lava formations everywhere! One's imagination can certainly be creative when surrounded by thick sea fog, and whimsical lava silhouettes. Roads were sometimes routed around suspected elf hideouts so as to not disturb them. Any visitor, can be of course, be assured of seeing a troll when viewing rock pillars such as Karl og Kerling (meaning 'old man and witch'). Legend has drooping down over their eyes, an extra gait called the 'tölt'. They are, without a doubt, friendliest breed in the world; an entire group will trot right up to you, expecting nothing but a friendly pet. The local police are also friendly and helpful. Once, we suffered a vehicle rollover in the Snæfellsness Peninsula wilderness, during a winter whiteout, the policemen put on their parkas and helped us roll the car back onto its wheels. You can camp outdoors, off the road, among the lava fields with virtually no safety concerns. Iceland is statistically one of the safest countries in the world to visit. There is a feeling of freedom in Iceland, to explore, and reach out and touch nature. You can freely walk up to the deafening hiss of steam from geothermal bore holes, which supply clean energy to Iceland and electricity for aluminum smelters, one of Iceland's major economic activities. These wonderful nuances of Iceland were undiscovered for me until deciding to visit for the first time. I first read about Iceland as a young boy when flipping our family's entire World Book encyclopedia series. I recall being enamored by the grainy film photos of sheep, and it, tardy trolls were caught outside at sunrise long ago and instantly turned to stone. fishermen, and geothermal power in the Iceland article, and I knew that one day I wanted to go there. Modern Icelanders are friendly, resourceful, easy-going, and a pleasure to talk with during one's travels. A common sight is the friendly wave of a passing farmer on his tractor, carrying a bale of hay down the road, while a carload of tourists walk in his pasture to pet his Icelandic horses. These horses are well-known for their long shaggy manes Years later, I spent winters hiking in the Adirondacks, becoming a winter 46er and 111er, which gave me an appreciation for the outdoors. After college, and years of adventurous travelling, and living in the outdoors in other exotic places like Patagonia, and New Zealand, the time seemed right for me to journey to Iceland. Jokulsarlon lagoon guided photo tour at sunset

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