This Is Iceland!

2015 ICELAND

WHY I CHOSE ICELAND:

Everybody knows that I love warm water, warm weather and warm colors. Everyone knows that I love the sun and the white sand. And it's not that I wanted to punish myself, but I did want to test myself. Instead of the familiar comforts of the southern, tropical countries I chose somewhere drastically different, a place known for it's chill and it's rain and it's darkness. Iceland sounded different and turned out to be different in so many amazing ways.
Hailey and I travelled around the island for nine spectacular days. We watched as the landscape dramatically changed every thirty miles, from craggy lava fields to brilliant green mossy mountains to tumbling glaciers to jet black beaches to crashing waterfalls to baby blue hot spring pools to steaming volcanos. We stayed in eight different guesthouses across the country and tried in vain to correctly pronounce the names of  towns, roads and landmarks. This was a great trip. I'm glad I took the chance.

This is Reykjavik, the bright capital of Iceland. These many vibrant colors must help the mind during the dark winters.

This is the countryside with eye-popping greenness...

One of dozens upon dozens of waterfalls. Some delicate and wispy, others thunderous and powerful

All beautiful, All different

Sometimes there was just beautiful desolation, wind swept nothingness

And then soon we would run into something truly spectacular!

OR something unearthly and a bit spooky

So much water in every form, fresh glacial rivers coursing toward the crashing sea

We felt the life of a dormant volcano, heat waves shimmering from the mountain like a furness

We walked on infant earth, only 40 years old

Did I mention lakes? Yes Iceland has a lot of those too

And finally...the warm water. Geothermal pools in every Icelandic town

ICELAND HAS IT ALL!

Family Fun In Sun Valley

It's that time of year when the Hosenfeld dynasty packs up and hits the road for adventure. This year we travelled to Sun Valley, Idaho where there was plenty to do every day and every second. The parents set us all up in a couple of posh condos right at the base of Warm Springs ski resort. As always my hyper active family kept us busy for four days straight.

After being on the road for 5 hrs we were greeted by my mom urging us back into our car. It was time to go do something already. In the twilight we watched the kids swing from an iron bridge barely skimming the cold river water. It was sparkly.

Next day we indulged our children by taking a horse ride through the mountains. 

Next day we rafted the Salmon river

Next day we hiked to a lily pond

Then on our way back home we stopped at "Craters of the Moon" and got fried by the heat of the sun

So, as always, our adventures were diverse and super fun.  From green, forested mountains to black lava fields.....

From a modern swimming pool at the condo to riding the rapids of a wild river....

From a lush lily pond to a dusty horse trail...

Thanks Mom and Dad