LAST DAY OF 3 DAY TOUR

The last day we were picked up from our hotel by bus, (thankfully) and driven to the Thingvallir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Rift Valley. The park marks the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the boundary between the North-American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

Though the ridge extended from the Artic to the Antartic, Iceland is the only place where it is above land and can be seen.

The Park besides being of such Geological importance is also of great cultural and historical importance.  It was founded in 1930 marking the 1000th Anniversary of the Althing, the national parliament of Iceland, which was established at the site in 930 AD.

To the south lies the Thingvallavatn, the largest natural lake in Iceland

The gravel path down the Almannagja Fault extended all  the way to the top until 2011 when on March 31st a hole appeared in the middle of the path. After investigation a larger and deeper fault was discovered almost 10 meters deep.  The hole was probably caused when a large boulder and layer of rocks and gravel fell deeper into the crevice loosened by the 2000 and 2008 earthquakes.  The decision to build a wooden footbridge on top of the rift was, I thought  a good one.

As we continued to descend to the gravel path I was glad to not know that story yet.

Green grass took over, and moss and vegetation began to appear on the rock walls.  This, I assume was the area where the council set up their temporary dwellings with walls of turf and rock and roofing of homespun cloth, though little if any trace remained.

However, the wildflowers were beautiful, and we saw trees appearing now and then.

In the Colorado mountains these beautiful flowers were called Blue Flax, I don't know what they 

were called in Iceland.

As others were taking photos, as was I, I read sign with information about the later uses of this area.

The assembly of Thingvellir (the Alpingi} was Iceland's legislative and chief judicial authority until 1271 when clashes between chieftains families  resulted in Iceland becoming under Norwegian and later Danish rulers.

Over the years the Icelanders gathered here to celebrate their most important festivals. On June 17, 1944, Icelanders flocked to Thingvellir for the foundation of the modern republic of Iceland, which had been delayed due to occupation during World War II.

These beautiful waters were became in ancients times a place of execution, especially for women who were drown here.

But, all that aside. what a beautiful spot!

The water goes on, under a natural bridge to join the stream below.

On our way back to Reykjavik we stopped at the Blue Lagoon for a wonderful lunch in the main dining room.  On the way in I couldn't resist these lovely flowers growing in the lava rocks.

And this last look at the famous "Blue Lagoon".

On our way to our hotel in Reykjavik we were able to see the Oxararfoss Waterfall pouring off the

the top of the Rift where the Thingvellir N.P. was located.

With very full stomachs we were driven to the center of town to meet our charming young guide at the National Theater for a walking tour, in the rain of course, and "tastes of Iceland".

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Our first stop was to try a variety of local beer,
followed by a large bowl of delicious soup
and wonderful fresh bread. I felt bad eating
and drinking so little, but---!

Walking along the street I just had to snap a photo of these Puffins because I backed out of the tour, regretfully, to "Bird Island" nesting place of thousands of these interesting creatures.

The shops and cafes were colorful,

And decorated with local motifs.

This Artic Fox was a beauty, but I would rather have seen him it the wild rather than a window.

If anyone can read this, please let me know.  To me the Icelandic language is beyond my comprehension.

Next our lovely guide took us to this shop an offered us a selection of local cheeses and meats.
I didn't want to know what some of those were.  Horse, for one, I am sure.

The flower pots on street corners were beautifully planted,

And this sign I could actually read and appreciate.

Dominating the end of the main street were these two

impressive  structures, a large statue of the first Viking to settle in Iceland,  and the 73 m

high Hallgrimskirkja, a modern

cathedral build in the Icelandic tradition.

Our final stop on this drizzling, gastronomic tour where we were served desert.

On the 2nd floor, under this mural of Iceland's origin, we were presented with these final sweets.
No calories, of course!!!

FALL HAS ARRIVED AT THE NJ SHORE

Fall has arrived, the weather is cooler, the crowds have left and many of the birds, the sandpipers in particular have flown South.  I saw them gathering on the beach in great numbers and meant to go down with my camera, but didn't.  However fall has brought different activities for me, some short bike rides, to get my balance and confidence back, now that a lot of the summer traffic is a thing of the past, and time on Barnegat Bay, courtesy of a good friend and superior boatman and sailor, Newt.

We motored down to the south end of the island where the "Black Pearl" a tourist party ship was still in the water.

 If you need your own island, this one is a perfect location, not far off the western shore of Beach Haven.

Sometimes you see the strangest things in the bay.  How about this - a piece of dock (I think) complete with chair, being towed by a pair of Jet Skis!

 I always liked to see a bit of the old island, next to the new McMansions, such as these by the entrance to the causeway bridge.

And the Dutchman, a favorite lunch spot for sailors, even when I was young and on the bay.  It is about to be lifted off of its old pilings and placed temporarily on land so that the pilings can be replaced.

 

We passed the Surf City Yacht Club, where I and our children spent so much time in years past when it was a much smaller structure.

 Since there was a small after season regatta going on up bay, we went down to watch.

 The wind was brisk, the competition strong as the sailors tacked for the mark, and I have to admit I 

was nostalgic and a bit envious.

 But I was just glad to be out there with our good friend and my husband to enjoy the afternoon.

 On the way back we passed another residence in the middle of the bay, but not as modern.  It looked more like a fishing/hunting shack with its own waterway entrance in the perfect location.

 A walk on the beach the next day provided me with an interesting subject for my camera, which first I had to go home to get.  I should always walk with my camera, but I don't

 White foam was gathering at the edge of the waves on a flat beach at low tide.  The wind would pick it up and blow it across the beach, sparkling in the sunlight.

 This gull, prancing at the water's edge could have been the leader of the parade. 

 Walking up the beach entrance I spied this sand formation, which reminded me of a small version the Dillan Pinacles in Gunnison, CO that I had so often photographed.

Walking by a neighbor's house, who had already retreated to Florida,

 My eye was attracted to the flowers in her garden, the last of the beauties of summer past.

ANOTHER GREAT DAY ON BARNEGAT BAY

Several days after our last boat trip, Newt ask if we would like to take a ride through some of the canals on the west side of the bay, and "The Bridge to Nowhere" as it is called.  As a child I used to sail in that area, first with my sister in our Sneakbox, and then with my husband to be, often getting almost eaten alive by the green.head flies and sometimes needing our paddle to maneuver when the wind would die.

We first passed what used to be Bear Island, or rather one of the 2 Bear Islands, which is now reduced to some piling, fewer every year, where cormorants roost to dry their wings.

They all took off at the sound of the motor, except these two brave souls who stood their ground.

Making a side trip to obtain gas at the local marina, I snapped a shot of the fenders on the dock.

 Nearing shore we passed theses old boathouses which appeared to be no long in use.

 Entering the canal we saw these two "gentlemen" basking on the land with their crab buckets and lines in the water, ready for "a day's work".

 The grass in the marshes showed the effect of the changing tides.

 As the bridge to nowhere appeared in the distance.

Since a part of the bridge was burned down years ago, perhaps by an angry father denying a good parking spot to his son or daughter, passage was easy.

We continued through the canal,

And back out to the bay, as we were passed by a small boat in a big hurry.

 Making the last turn, we encountered him pulling up a fish, probably only his first.

 Nearing the Island we saw a lot of cormorants, perhaps the ones we chased on the way out.

And a greater heron flew overhead to another hunting spot, I imagined.

 It was a perfect day as the evening clouds began to move in and the sun sparkled on the water in front of the causeway bridge.

 

THE KITE FESTIVAL

For the past several years, near the middle of October the international Kite Festival comes to Ship Bottom, the community just south of us.  I took my camera, parked the car and went up the dunes to see what was happening.  NOT MUCH!  The sky was empty except for a few kites with long tails streaming down to the beach.  Not much wind!

This farmer could barely get his feet off of the ground, nor could he lift the egg . 

 This little chick lay on his side on the beach looking for-longingly at the sky where he wanted to be.

 This man ignored his purple people eater lying on the beach while he relaxed and read his book in peace.

 In fact the only activity seemed to be around the bubble maker, so I captures this heart shaped bubble that seemed to be hanging around some adults while a child reached up to break it.

The following day it rained, and Monday, returning from shopping on the mainland I saw some activity in the sky over the dunes.  I took my groceries home, grabbed my camera and hurried back.
Seeing that a pig could fly I continues down to the beach.

Though many of the contestants had departed, there were astronauts souring up to the sky

 Dragons of all shapes and colors.

 A frog being chased by a monster.

 And a large woman diver lying on the ground trying to get in the swim of things.

She finally succeeded and floated above in the beautiful blue sky trailing her fish. 

 Though there were still kites on the ground when I left, seeing the flying pig I had faith.

 And as I crested the dune I turned around to see this giant pig lift its feet off of the sand.

Looking back, I know I will return next year.