Lake Myvatn

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After Akureyri I made it to Lake Myvatn. It's in an area of significant volcanic past. It's also known as an area that get's very little rain, because it's in the "rain shadow" of a major ice cap. I could go for a major Ice Cap right now. Where's a Timmy Horton's when you need one. Back to the rain story. It absolutley poured all day on Monday when I arrived in Myvatn. I was sick of putting up, sleeping and taking down my tent in the rain, while getting soaked while I slept, so I opted to sleep in a guesthouse. I did a lot of nothing on Monday while it rained. Tuesday was miraculously sunny. The first sunny day I have had on the entire trip. I went for a long hike up a huge Pseudocrater that was formed from a massive volcanic event. I then hiked down the opposite side of the crater and made my way through a lava field with crazy rock pillar formations. The exact reason for the creation of these formations is unknown. There are however plenty of theories using big geological terms and scientific evidence. The theories meant nothing to me though. It's hard to care what people think created something so awesome when you are walking alone through them and just enjoying them for what they are, not why they are. After finishing the lava field I walked back to my guesthouse, about 20km roundtrip, picked up a towel and headed out for another 5 km walk to a nature bath. Again it's like Radium, only this time in a natural setting. Volcanic rock floor on the bottom of the lagoon, and 40 degree blue water smelling of sulphur. Laying in the lagoon and looking out at the surroundings it almost felt like I was on the moon or somewhere extreme. Like Northern Iceland...Steaming hills with gases pouring out from vents, and iron stained mounds with no vegetation. After a few hours of relaxing it was another walk back to the guesthouse at sunset.

I woke up this morning and caught a bus to Egillstaddir. It's a town nearer the east coast, and it will be a one night stay before a bus tomorrow morning to the next location which I think will be Djupvigour. I'm pretty much winging it at this point.....

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Photos

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Lake Myvatn

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Top of Hverfjall Crater

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Hverfjall Crater

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Weird picture...It's an archway formed by lava

Comments

[Kelsey]

"just enjoying them for what they are, not why they are." I love this Josh... Just love it!