Home Again!

We are home again... tucked in safe and sound.
Our travels through Iceland are ones we won't soon forget.
It is like no place on earth.
In fact, it is otherworldly... like landing on a planet in a faraway galaxy that
can sustain life like earth yet vastly different looking than anything I had ever seen before.


Iceland lies on the borders of two tectonic plates...
making it one of the most geologically unstable places on earth...
a land of paradox...


 Volcanoes and glaciers,
rich verdant farmland and barren lava flows,
mountains and craters,
glacial streams, rivers, bays and hot springs, geysers, and steam vents
make up the topography of this visually abundant land.


It is a land once settled by the Norsemen and women, Vikings....
and now inhabited by rugged individualists...
a people with a can-do spirit who live a more minimalist existence
in this land where adventure awaits.


Situated in the Gulf Stream, with a maritime climate...
Iceland is more temperate than you might think.
Because it is just beneath the arctic circle, summers rarely exceed 70 degrees.
And winters hover around the freezing mark.


Summers of light and winters of dark are another juxtaposition...
the prize for 24 hours of darkness being the Northern Lights.
(no longer visible for our visit.)


It is a land dotted by farms... more rural than I have ever experienced.
Everywhere you look are their precious Icelandic horses...
perhaps my favorite part of the trip!


Almost every farm has a small flock of sheep and a handful of chickens.
The number one crop is grass hay.


With such a short growing season, it is hard to grow much in the way of produce.
Although they are beginning to experiment with growing in greenhouses.
Seafood is abundant... and it is fresh and clean like no other.


I could go on and on.
I was charmed by this incredible island.
I think I could live there... raising Icelandic horses and knitting Icelandic sweaters.
On second thought... how could I ever leave my garden?
And I am sure that Ginger and MaryAnn would not enjoy the change.


Seriously, though... it's great to be home surrounded by my loves.


Travel is great fun but my heart belongs to my home.
I missed you!
Hopefully you could enjoy our travels through photos on Facebook or Instagram.
Iceland may be remote, but it has free WiFi nearly everywhere!


Comments

jaz@octoberfarm said…
how wonderful! i would like to go there one day. did you buy an icelandic sweater? did you try the world's best hot dog?
daisy g said…
So glad you are home safe and sound. It sounds like an intriguing place. I can't imagine summers in the 70's. Wow!

Enjoy your week back on the homestead.
Colleen said…
Welcome home!!I will be waiting to hear more about Iceland. What an exciting read this was today. ....I bet all the BHA crew was glad to see you....hope you had extra Ritz to pass out.
Lynne said…
Welcome home . . .

I am sending this on to my dear friend Thora . . .
Born in Iceland, many family members still there.
She returns every few years.
I love her story . . .
She came to the USA when she was 17 . . .
Alone, to Lansing, Michigan . . .
A bit of Viking spirit in her indeed . . .

Enjoy all your little critters, bet they are happy to see you.
Enjoy those fresh veggies too!
Bee Haven Bev said…
I did not buy an Icelandic sweater....too expensive for me... $200 to $400. I did, however, buy enough wool to knit my own for $40! And the pattern was free!
sandra said…
WOW :O ! Incredible!! Glad you back and safe :}!
I am glad you are home. I followed you on Facebook and was glad to get a little dose of Bee Haven there. I love the temps in Iceland. I don't like the hot weather. Anyway, glad to have you back and can't wait to see pics of the critters.
Welcome home, beautiful images! My neighbor had two icelandics, they were lovely ponies - and their gaits are unique - I believe one is called a "tolt". Kind of like a trot.
Bee Haven Bev said…
Yes, we rode the tölt....it is fast and smooth....quite fun!
Anonymous said…
welcome home. can't wait to hear more about iceland!
StrictlyMystic said…
Thanks for sharing all those wonderful photos! I've been drooling over the horse pictures especially but they were all fantastic. It was very thoughtful of you to post your experiences. Glad you had a good time and a safe return home.
Laura Sudderth said…
I loved all your great photos on instagram! Thank you for sharing and glad your back home safe and sound!
This N That said…
Glad you are home safe and sound nd that you had a great time..Love the rustic landscape..The horses look small and substantial..Have a great week..xxoo
An American in Tokyo said…
I did enjoy following your adventure!
I hope someday to visit there as well!
Thank you for sharing your journey with us and welcome back home!
Cindy said…
Glad you are safely at home! I really enjoyed your pics on instagram. Now I have another place to put on my bucket list!
diane in northern wis said…
Welcome Back! So glad you're back,. although I really did enjoy your photos on facebook. What a unique and awesome place huh? So glad you had a great time there. And now you've got fresh vegies already in your garden at home? wonderful. Can't wait to hear more about your trip to Iceland and see how your gardens are doing. Bet your friends at the farm really missed you. I'm sure they're all so glad that you guys are back. Me too!
Sounds like a wonderful trip! Iceland is definitely on our travel list! Did you come home with a bunch of Icelandic wool to knit?
jerilanders said…
You are my second blogger friend that went to Iceland this month! My son and his wife went last year and loved it as well.
Just look at that stone sheep barn! Very isolated, sometimes that seems like the best way to live, especially with those wonderful horses and the sea.