Ultima Thule (or Iceland on a Whim)!

Reykjavik, Stykkisholmur, and Grundarfjörður (and back)

August 12-20, 2011

Why Iceland?  Together Jenna and George have flown over Iceland a total of 28 times.  They felt that the time had come to visit Europe's western-most country, home to the world's oldest still-functioning parliament, the most viable proof of the great Atlantic Ridge and plate tectonics in action, and some of the most dramatic, breath-taking landscapes.  The trip began in Keflavik, took them to Reykjavik, and Stykkisholmur and Grundarfjörður on the Snæfellsnes peninsula.  They camped the entire time.

George and Jenna arrive in Reykjavik, Iceland.  Our campsite is a short walk from the downtown and the inner harbor.  Jenna is excited about the mountains in the distance. 

George and the Reykjavik skyline as seen from the deck of “The Pearl”, which house the city’s geothermal hot water tanks and the Saga Museum. 

A scene from the Saga Museum. 

The Inner harbor.  Schools of Mackerel, which have been pushed further north due to global warming, were swimming throughout the harbor during our time in Reykjavik. 

Jenna and the Solfar Suncraft Sculpture by Jon Gunnar Arnason

Completed in 1974, Hallgrimskirkja, is meant to resemble the basaltic lava columns found throughout Iceland. 

Leifur Eiriksson, discoverer of America, proudly stands facing the surf and, further west, Vinland.  A gift from the United States.

George standing in front of the Alþingi, Iceland’s national parliament, which is the longest functioning parliament in the world. 

Reykjavik Bike Tours (www.icelandbike.com) with Stefan!  Great tour of the Reykjavik coast and some stories about Iceland. 

 The weather started to turn against George and Jenna as they started their bike tour.  Hats, gloves, and winter jackets are customary in Iceland even in August (at least with the tourists).

Off Roman (Roamin’)!  Notice George's pant leg rolled up like the hipsters (bikers) do in Minneapolis. 

 George at the campsite in Stykkisholmur on the Snæfellsnes peninsula.  The campsite was rated 5 stars!  George and Jenna set up in the morning in an almost-empty valley to try and escape the wind.  The thermal baths are just over the hill (think Blue Lagoon, but with locals). 

 The view from George and Jenna's tent at the Stykkisholmur campground.  The reader might think the Icelanders the luckiest people on earth, but they tell George and Jenna this view is customary with all campsites.  Point Beach eat your heart out. 

George enjoying Skyr, an Icelandic yogurt-like dessert. 

Downtown Stykkisholmur

 Súgandisey protecting the Stykkisholmur harbor

Jenna atop Súgandisey.   Following the collapse of their bullish economy in 2008, the wind seems to be the only constant in Iceland.

 The Volcano Museum in Stykkisholmur.  Jenny is might not care about the rocks that she got (she is still Jenny from the block), but Iceland, on the other hand, sure is concerned.  We learn all about Icelandic geology, history, politics, and economics from the curator. 

 George in front of Kirkjufell during a day trip to Grundarfjörður.  The Heritage Center in the center of town (also a coffee shop and tourist information) is well worth the visit. 

Leaving the harbor at Stykkisholmur on a boat tour of the islands in the Borgarfjörður bay.

 Close to 3,000 islands dot the bay.  This only accounts for the ones with some sort of vegetation (something of a rarity in Iceland) covering their basaltic lava .

 Fresh-caught seafood during the boat tour.  The only way to eat seafood is fresh from the bay!

 Keeping cool in the Arctic breeze.

 Helgafell, of Laxdaela saga fame, was a short walk (and then climb) from our campsite.  

George trods in the footsteps of wish-seekers (and stands where many have surely posed for this same photo)!

Thanks for a great trip, Iceland!

Bob and George's Excellent Adventure

Olympic Biway:  Watertwon, NY to Lake Placid, NY (and back)

August 1-4, 2011
220 miles

Bob and George decided to bicycle (fully loaded with camping gear) from Watertown to Lake Placid along New York Rte. 3 within the Adirondack Park.  We were determined to eat ice cream everyday despite however rural the route might be.  After biking 220 miles over four days we are convinced we each gained several pounds thanks to the diners and ice cream along the way. 

George standing at the entrance to the Adirondack Park on day 1.  Leaving Watertown most of the biking is along Fort Drum (where Tessie lives).  The town of Felt Mills boasts Treats and Tiques ice cream (Hershey's). 

George was riding a 2011 Raleigh Sojourn (additions:  Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires, MEC front and rear panniers, and MEC handlebar and seatpost bags).  This is his also his full-time commuter bike in Saint Paul, MN. 

Bob standing at the site of a former CCC Camp at Wanakena (State Ranger and Forestry school).  Water from a tap is not potable (but we used George's Pur Hiker microfilter).  Water along the trip was plentiful with the filter.  We each carried 2 - 14 oz. bottles.

Bob was riding a 2008 Raleigh Detour 3.5 (additions:  new saddle and Nashbar rear panniers).  Both bikes made the trip with no flat tires or other problems.  Bob uses the Detour for recreation in and around Allegheny State Park in Western New York. 

George's bike at Star Lake.  The Town of Star Lake provided a small IGA, a gift and book shop, and gas station (Nice n' Easy).  The biking from Watertown to Cranberry Lake was relatively flat on a very wide shoulder.  Leading to Star Lake we stopped in the town of Harrisville at the Village Inn (good sandwiches), The Town of Fine at a small convenience and sandwich shop, and the U-B's Mercantile (Hershey's ice cream).

George at the Cranberry Lake State Campground (1/5 mile from town of Cranberry Lake).  We picked site 4 both nights 1 and 3 for easy access to the bathroom, water, and showers.  The Campground was quiet with a nice beach for swimming after a hot day on the bikes.  Cranberry Lake has a small gift/grocery store.  We stopped at the Stone Manor motel and restaurant for Perry's ice cream and breakfast. 

Approx. 5 miles past Cranberry Lake this picnic and parking area along the Grasse River would make an excellent primitive campsite.

The Thirsty Moose near Childwold (closed) would have been a welcomed refreshment stop.  Mark, owner of Intrepid Wanderer Cycles (Holland, NY), recommends for hot days: biking a few hours in the morning, spending the afternoon in a bar, and then biking a few hours in the afternoon to avoid the heat of the day. 

Along the Piercefield Flow shortly before reaching Tupper Lake.  As the sunburns set in, Bob starts his search for a do-rag to protect his head.  Despite some heavy truck traffic, he goes helmetless for most of the trip. 

Approaching the town of Tupper Lake the hills become longer, steeper, and more frequent.  We pass four (supported with a van) tourers ridding from Ithaca, NY headed to Stowe, VT. 

The rather industrial-feeling town of Tupper Lake became the halfway point on days 2 and 3.  Between Cranberry and Tupper Lake (approx. 25 miles) there are no stores on Rte. 3.  In Tupper Lake, we ate at Little Italy (excellent pizza) for lunch on day 2 and the Lumberjack Inn (not-so-great omelets) for lunch on day 3.  Tupper Lake boasts an IGA, McDonald's, Kinney Drug, among other local and chain stores.  It is also home to the much-recommended Wild Center Museum, which we, unfortunately, did not get a chance to visit.  Cell phone reception between Felt Mills and Tupper Lake is nonexistent. 

Entering the High Peaks region.  Between Tupper Lake and Lake Placid the hills are Challenging on day 2 and 3.   

View of Saranac Lake from the town park.  In Saranac we stopped at Grand Union (grocery store) and Dunkin’ Donuts.  Saranac Lake is a larger community with hotels, motels, and local and chain stores.   Leaving town towards Lake Placid Mountain Mist Ice Cream serves soft comes.    Between Saranac Lake and Lake Placid (Rte. 86), Ray Brook (3 miles from Saranac) houses the regional DEC headquarters (information and maps), as well as Meadowbrook State Campground, which is wedged between a Ford dealership and Tail O’ the Pup Barbeque (loud, live, and off-key music until 10 p.m.). 

Lake Placid is a short 3 miles from Meadowbrook.  Lake Placid is more for those with carbon-fiber frames. 

Bob says, "Get on your bike and ride Mother F*@#er!"

Mountain Climbing and the Lake Placid Iron Man Competition

Lake Placid, New York
July 23-5, 2010

After a 6 year break, Bob and George picked the third weekend in July to climb Mount Marcy, New York State’s highest peak at 5, 344 feet.   This is their second trip to the High Peaks Region of northern New York.  In 2002 Bob and George hiked Algonquin Peak (5, 114 feet) during the third weekend in July.  The Olympic city of Lake Placid plays host to the Iron Man triathlon the third weekend in July annually. 

Driving from Lake Placid (Meadowbrook State Campground in Ray Brook) to the Adirondack Loj.  We started early for the 7-8 hour (15 mile) round-trip hike. 

The lake formed by the Marcy Dam - damn!  George's camera wasn't working from this point forward, so these are some of Bob's photos.  The Van Hoevenberg Trail leads from the Loj to summit. 

George crossing a bridge early on the trail.  We brought a water pump and stopped several times to pump water rather than carry a lot. 

A view looking back over our shoulders (a view we enjoyed on the descent). 

Another peak (of the 46 in the region) visable from the trail. 

The vegetation changes, the temperature drops, and the fog thickens as we near the summit. 

View from the peak!