More fjords! And after weeks of cold weather, I managed to end up in Bergen on their hottest day - ever. Was a great scenic drive back up to my last stop in Norway, Alesund, a cute city well known for its architecture (it was rebuilt after a fire in 1904, so most of the main city is in the same Art Nouveau style). I'm reallllllly going to miss this beautiful country.... read more

I had an amazing visit around Orsta - there are lots of moments that I don't have pictures of, but it was fantastic to reconnect and have more time with family we'd met a few years ago, and have the opportunity to meet some new folks as well. They generously absolutely spoiled me - inviting me into homes and to parties, touring me around the local towns/fjords/glaciers, leading hikes, and feeding me more delicious food (specifically cake) than I could imagine. Hopefully I can return the favor and convince a few to visit our family in the US soon!... read more

Pretty and fishy. Lots and lots of dry or drying fish.... read more

I've always wanted to see a reindeer! Officially in the land of midnight sun at this point (it didn't get dark in Iceland, but the sun technically went down for a few minutes).... read more

Snaefellsnes is a peninsula near Reykjavik that they describe as a "mini-Iceland", having small versions of the wide range of the island's various features in one place. I think the weather (24 hour grey most days) was really starting to get to me at this point and it rained fairly consistently both of the days I was here, so I'm not sure I experienced it's full potential...but it did have quite a range packed into a fairly small space. One night I woke up around midnight, the clouds were gone, and there was a beautiful sunset (or sunrise?) which was quite a nice surprise (the rain was back by morning though...if I didn't have pictures I'd swear I dreamed it).... read more