Þósmörk (Thorsmork)

When I booked back to back bus tours in Iceland, I had anticipated enjoying one much more than the other. But as I found myself, the only casual day tripper, sitting in a packed but nearly silent bus full of backpackers heading to campsites and multi-day treks, I did miss the amiable atmosphere and company of my like-minded tourmates from the day prior. As we rolled through stark landscapes that mirrored my internal thoughts and feelings, I couldn’t help but feel a bit alone.

After passing by countless scenic landscapes, we eventually arrived at a campground in the heart of Thorsmork, a mountain range and nature preserve. I had enough time for an hour’s worth of casual hiking before catching the last bus out, so I set off for the closest and shortest peak in sight, where I managed to, very on brand, push the boundaries of my pretty significant fear of heights. As I sat in defeat, near but shy of the peak, I realized that it didn’t matter if I made it to the top; I was in a beautiful country and surrounded by beautiful views. I suppose that, like my journey, this short ramble doesn’t have much of a point. It doesn’t have much of a destination either, and sometimes that’s ok.

Seljalandsfoss

Yellow Raincoats: It’s the Law

Beyond the clouds at the top is Eyjafjallajökull, the infamous volcano that disrupted transatlantic air travel for months.

I kid you not.

Me, on bus: I guess I didn’t get any pictures of horses this trip.
[10 min later]
Horses: whatuppppp

Date: June 2015