Searching for Inspiration in Iceland-Part 3

In this week's blog I touch on perseverance. A strong will and a little bit of spontaneity can make for an amazing day. If we said "yes" more often we can open ourselves up to new and exciting experiences. Read on for another exciting journey.

"Raging Waterfalls"

As we finished up the golden circle , we talked about our next journey while we looked at the map. How far could we go? What could we see? We decided on heading south east on N1 to travel toward the town Vik which would be our homestay for the night. We read of the quaint town that had more amenities than most of Iceland's small towns. It was great to stop in Selfoss, which became our favorite town yet.

We then moved south east on a cold windy morning, still frosty from our cold night. We had to find a blanket for the next night otherwise we feared of illness and fatigue which would inevitably slow down our travels. I tend to get ill easily when I'm not in my natural element. When we left Cleveland it was near 80 degrees F, going to Iceland where the temperature changed at the drop of a hat. I have to admit though, I had never felt better. The air out there was so pure, my skin was glowing and the diet out there gave me so much energy. After a breakfast made of leftovers and defrosting from the little burner which heated our food, we took off on N1 with no real plans that day.

We drove for about twenty minutes then, all of a sudden in the near distance we could see a waterfall from the side of the road and many cars parked in the lot ahead. We decided to pull over, for it was such a sight to see. The waterfall was called Seljalandfoss waterfall from the sign that lead you to the path of the falls. The many people there were dressed in rain clothes and ponchos. I had Jeff pull my yellow poncho out of the day bag and he dressed in his mothers old raincoat himself. With these falls you could get very close, so close even that you could hike behind the falls. I was glad that I was prepared for this.

*Seljalandfoss waterfall from the road - note the tiny people on the green hillside!

When we approached the falls it was so massive. You could see it was so large from the road that was miles away and when you were up close to it with all it's rage and glory pouring over the side of a mossy cliff made of black volcanic matter, it really was incredible. The day was overcast, slightly wet from the rain and of course, the falls. Mist gathered around us as the water crashed into the glacial pool below and created a beautiful rainbow (didn't I tell you Iceland is just so full of rainbows?). I quickly snapped a photo and walked among the others down the winding, muddy path that would eventually lead us out from behind the waterfall to two other small falls.

*Behind Seljalandfoss Waterfall

As we were exiting the path a woman in front of us got held up. There were rocky cliffs you had to climb to exit the area and the path behind us was too narrow and too many people in the way for her to turn around. The man she was with was trying to coax her up a pathway which seemed easier but was so full of mud and water that one could easily slip and really injure themselves. I climbed up the rocks and held out my hand but I could tell she feared if she fell she'd pull me right down with her. She just stood there in shock. Finally, a few gentlemen behind us climbed over and one got in from and the other in the back and helped her up and over safely. We were able to exit the first fall and make our way down the path.

As we walked the rain drizzled around us. Jeff was determined to take a drink from the water that ran off one of the smaller falls. We read that the water in Iceland was so pure that you could drink right from the streams. I too took a drink, the water was ice cold and tasted very fresh. We walked on down the winding muddy path to a small house with a red roof (many of Iceland's homes/businesses/churches have red roofs). We found out that it was a camping area but the building was closed off so we made our way back to the car.

On our way back we stopped at a small stand and I bought us a large coffee to warm our cold fingertips. There was one restroom near by that was a pay toilet I had to use. I mention this because I want to touch on a few tourism incidences that I had that day. Outside of the restroom were a bunch of men who, I couldn't put my finger on their nationality but none the less. They were pointing and laughing at the women's restroom sign which looked like your typical restroom symbol of the woman but it looked like she had to pee! It was a laugh and the men were taking photos of the sign... and also the women coming out of the restroom. If you're reading this and are touring please be respectful. Be respectful to the land, and to each other. Fortunately, that was only one of a few bad experienced I had in Iceland, and it was visitors almost every time.

Back to the story...

We packed back into the car and were pretty dry despite having walked behind a giant waterfall. Jeff and I began driving down the road about another half hour to an hour we came across yet another large waterfall from the side of the road. We pulled over and saw from the parking lot huge stairs that lead you from the base of the mountain and waterfall to the top of the mountain where you could look at the waterfall's edge. This waterfall was called Skogarfoss Waterfall. We took a deep breath and began our descent up the many stairs to the top of the falls.

*Top of Skogarfoss Waterfall

The stairs were steep and made of metal. The metal was wet and muddy and the only railing you had was a chain link on each side of the stairs. Some of the steps were missing so one would have to be very careful as they climbed to the top. There were people coming and going in both directions. It was very narrow so you had to keep going so you didn't hold up the line. Jeff counted the steps which amounted to all most 500 stairs to the top. It took about twenty grueling minutes and shortness of breath to the thin air at the top of the mountain. But once we got there it was so beautiful and worth the trip. After I was able to catch my breath we looked over the edge of the water toppling down the side of the cliffs. It was yet another beautiful landscape as we searched out on the wide barren landscape ahead of us. One amazing thing about traveling with someone you love is that through the vigorous trials, it brings you closer together and that's what this trip as all about. I felt that love and companionship on the top of that mountain, among the many other places as well but very much at that moment. After drinking in the beauty around us, it was time to head on. We had no idea for the journey we were about to embark on next. That day we used the method of just pulling over where we saw a lot of cars. What we were about to see and do changed me for a lifetime.

*Top of Skogarfoss

In the next blog I will talk about something amazing a little unexpected. Stay tuned for more inspiring posts!