Day 2: The Golden Circle

It rained all night and when it finally stopped we bundled up for a jog through Þingvellir National Park. 

Our Plan A running route was unreasonably muddy and not agreeable.  We decided to change course.

One of the best things about Iceland is that lovely gravel roads with beautiful scenery can be found at every corner.  This makes for exceptional jogging, except for the crazy weather, of course!

We found ourselves at the waterfall Öxarárfoss.

We regathered, had breakfast in the back of the camper, then continued to explore Þingvellir.  This park has some really interesting features.  For one, Parliament was established here in 930 AD and continued to meet at this location for over 800 years.  Also, it is the site of an amazing rift valley formed by the separating North American and Eurasian continental plates.  The geologically young country of Iceland is physically tearing apart and is still growing and changing.

North America to one side and Europe to the other; a trail runs through the impressive rift wall Almannagjá.

Almannagjá to the left, Þingvellir church (founded 1018 AD) dead ahead, and the approximate location of the Alþing (General Assembly) to the right.

Our next stop along the Golden Circle was Geysir and its neighboring geysers.

Steaming activity in the geothermal area around Geysir 

The twin pools of Blesi.  One is clear and colorless and the other is opaque and blue.  The different waters connect in the middle. 

Geysir (yes, the word 'geyser' comes from this guy!) erupts infrequently these days.  However, the smaller Strokkur erupts every couple minutes.

Just down the road from Geysir is the two-tiered waterfall Gullfoss.

Turning south, not too far away is the cathedral, Skálholt, by the river Hvitá. From 1056 until 1785, it was one of Iceland's two episcopal sees.  The end of Catholicism in Iceland was marked in 1550 when the last Catholic bishop was executed here in Skálholt while trying to prevent the Danish king from forcing Lutheranism on the country.  Now a new church rests over the remains of the original church, which is being excavated.

 Skálholt

By late afternoon we ended up driving a little farther than originally planned due to lack of suitable camping.  Quite a few campgrounds were still closed for the season and don't open until June 1st.  While most sites don't mind campers just parking and sleeping for free, they might not have facilities (toilets, showers, kitchens, water, etc) in operation just yet.  So we made our way southeast on the Ring Road (Route 1) and entered the grassy plains that made up the setting of Njáls Saga country, which also happens to be Iceland's premier horse-breeding area.  

This next campsite, though basic, was incredibly beautiful.  It was right between two tall, elegant waterfalls.

The waterfall Seljalandsfoss.  A path runs behind it to allow visitors to view the falls from a different angle.  In the setting sun the waterfall glows gold.  If it weren't so chilly it would have been fun to try it out.  

The nearby waterfall Gljúfurárfoss, neatly hidden behind a narrow slot canyon. 

Campsite Hamragarðar, between two waterfalls and in front of the Mjarkafljot valley. The bathroom is in the triangular turf house on the left :o)