Ice and Ash

7-27-10    ...when suddenly, we saw the Jökulsárlón Glacier. It was unbelieveable. Gigantic icecubes floating down the river and out to sea. We took pictures. They were the size of buildings above the water, but you could tell they extended deep underwater. There was a parking lot next to this huge conglomeration of ice.

   Arctic Terns fought over fish in the water just next to the icebergs. The hungry Great Skuas stared at the little terns. They swooped down and pecked at the Skua. So he changed icebergs, and it all would start again. It was an ice carnival.

Next to the Glacier

   Then four little seals came under the bridge to join the fun. They swam so gracefully in the ice cold water. So awesome. We took photos of it all.

Field of Ice

When we were wet enough and it was time to leave, we started looking for a hotel. This became an adventure itself. We had to drive through the ash left over by that volcano that had erupted recently. There were bulldozers moving it around as we drove by.

Driving thru the Ash

   The ash was about ten feet thick on the open ground. It was jet black. They have cleaned it up pretty good so far, but there is work to be done. We took these pictures out of the car window as we drove past.

Volcanic Ash

   We finally got a room. The reception fellow said the internet connection here was "virus". You guessed it. He meant to say that it was "wireless". Very funny.

-Robert

(photos by rfowler and bshelton)