Iceland was as wild and wonderful as I was hoping it would be. The only regret I have about our trip was that it wasn't longer. I am a sucker for bleak desolation especially in my landscapes and Iceland, much like it's sister wind-blown island(s) friend New Zealand, has it to spare.
A couple of toungues of the Vatnajokull Glacier. West of Hofn.
This photo really captured what the heck I was talking about above. A bleak landscape that has it's own presence. There is something invisible looming in the foreground that balances the power of that glacier. It's invisible sure but no less powerful for it. Plus there's some power lines too!
Iceland does pump out the power in a rather geothermically slanted way. I like thick pipes as much as the next guy so that was a plus. I also like the fact that steam (and boiling mud) hisses (and bubbles) out of the ground just about everywhere you look. At this one huge geo-power project (Krafla)all the mucking about and drilling they did caused an earthquake!
Pipes from the Krafla power station.
Power is also generated by the various waterfalls that litter the landscape with their aggressive "picturesque-itude" and their awesome "beauty-ish-ness"
Solitary man (no vertigo) Godafoss.
One thing that was refreshing to our jaundiced American eyes was an idea that was pervasive in this wonderful little country...the idea of personal responsibility. (There is a tad bit of irony present given the fact that Iceland defaulted on shitloads of foreign loans after the economic crash and then basically said "Fudge you!" when given the chance to work out some form of payback. Personal responsibility on an individual level yes. On a nationwide scale, not so much.) You can go just about anywhere you wish. This idea is illustrated in the above photo where "Mr. Heights-don't-Scare-me-You-Stupid-Foss" is walking right to the edge of the foss (waterfall) that would love to crush him like the puny little human he is. There might be a sign that reminds you that the world can be a dangerous place and you should learn how to best protect yourself but beyond that you are on your own. So go forth and explore. Just remember you might slip and fall and be crushed to death by hundreds of thousands of litres of water or be pecked to death by 1000's of angry puffins. Quick! Send the lawyers to Iceland! They got some freedoms to impinge upon!
Lonely barn between Myvatn and Egilsstadir
This one again illustrates that thing I so dig. The majesty in the bleak. I realize that I am ascribing a human feeling to an inanimate object but you, dear reader, are going to have to deal with the fact that I'm much more comfortable expressing my deepest feelings indirectly through my photos. So instead of "Old Barn" by Sometimes Lonely Photographer, you get "Lonely barn".
In all honestly, the barn seemed fine, not the least bit lonely.
I'm gonna make this a two parter so more pics and witty commentary will follow in the next day or so. I leave you with another from Godafoss.
Restaurant at Godafoss.
I can't say if it was a lonely restaurant or not. It was yellow.
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