{"id":18419,"date":"2023-09-09T05:57:56","date_gmt":"2023-09-09T12:57:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/?p=18419"},"modified":"2023-09-09T06:00:38","modified_gmt":"2023-09-09T13:00:38","slug":"to-the-capital-of-the-north-akureyri","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/?p=18419","title":{"rendered":"To the Capital of the North – Akureyri"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I didn’t sleep much on my first night in Iceland,<\/strong> mostly from excitement and anticipation of what today could bring….I get out of Reykjavik before the morning traffic, and soon find myself on highway 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I find driving in Iceland easy<\/strong>, mostly due to the country driving on the same side of the road as the USA. More two lane roundabouts than I am used to, but I get the logic and they don’t cause me any problems. I do go through my first undersea tunnel though, which was quite the experience. I emerge from the tunnel to find that the morning rain has dissipated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I can barely handle the scenery and landscapes around me. Seemingly I would find a new soul enriching, life affirming, awe inspiring beauty every five god damn minutes. I soon come to realize that I can’t stop to photograph everything, or I would never make it to my final destination each day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I find a small village to explore<\/strong>, thinking I would get a cup of coffee but instead find a dirt road that calls my name. I just wander down it for a spell, taking in my epic surroundings. After this I decide to venture off highway 1 and try to find Barnafoss, my first waterfall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The country road to Barnafoss is in itself a true delight, full of beautiful glacial valleys and iconic mountains far off in the distance. Eventually I make it to Barnafoss itself, and I have to remember to breathe…..<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The blue glacial water<\/strong> is stunning, and the water seems to magically emerge from the ground itself before falling into the mighty river. The place also has a very haunted aura about it, which I learn about soon enough…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Many Icelandic folk tales have been associated with Barnafoss, the most famous being about two boys from a nearby farm, Hrauns\u00e1s. One day, the boys’ parents went with their ploughmen to a church. The boys were supposed to stay at home, but as they grew bored they decided to follow their parents. They made a shortcut and crossed a natural stone-bridge<\/a> that was above the waterfall. But on their way, they felt dizzy and fell into the water and drowned. When their mother found out what had happened, she put a spell<\/a> on the bridge saying that nobody would ever cross it without drowning himself.<\/em>“<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After leaving Barnafoss<\/strong>, I see a canyon that just begs for me to hike it. I am the only person at the trailhead. I enter this canyon and feel the power of this volcanic land coursing through my bones. The small river that carved this landscape over a millenia still flows, and I can hear music emanating from the babbling water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After this hike <\/strong>I see that I still have quite a few miles before I reach my destination, so I stop diddling around and get to driving. After a couple of hours I seem to be back on schedule so I stop at Grabrok crater. I should have just enough time to climb to the top and get a scenic viewing of my current surroundings before continuing onward to Akureyri.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

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The afternoon is quickly disappearing<\/strong>, but I make it to the Capital of the North right at 4 p.m. I find the Forest Lagoon and go enjoy my second soak. Enjoying the natural hot spring baths is part of Icelandic culture, and something I really get into. It soothes my muscles and elevates my spirit perfectly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After my soak<\/strong> I check into my hotel for the next two nights. I have a lovely meal and start planning out my adventures for the following day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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