Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Day 11 Sunday May 22, 2016

I woke up from a pretty good sleep, and took a quick shower before everyone got up. The sun and blue sky finally came out! I did not need my hat, scarf, or gloves. I had a lot of energy today, so I explored the harbor while waiting to head out. There were beautiful red steel ships in the harbor just waiting for a journey out to sea. Around 9:00 am we started our long drive to Bergheimar. I could 't really sleep at all, so I listened to music and watched the incredible landscape pass by. There were patches of green grass, clear blue water, and even circling eagles over a mountain. We had a lunch stop in a gas station, and then continued onward to Grábrókargígur crater for about an hour. Wow, the wind was quite strong! We stood on top of the crater and looked out into the distance. This crater is part of the Ljósufjöll volcanic system in the Snaefellsnes volcanic zone. It is less than 3,600 years old which is quite young in geologic terms. The rocks we stood on were alkali olivine basalt where olivine was likely the first mineral to crystallize. We attempted to reconstruct the geologic history of the area by ordering different geological features we observed. Most likely basaltic, sedimentary, and more basaltic layers formed first. Then a glacier most likely came through which explains the valley we were standing in. Then a fault and intrusions in the basaltic layers formed. Lastly, the volcanic rocks we were standing on formed. The picture below shows the landscape with the features were observed.

Around 8:00pm we pulled into Sólheimar eco village community situated in a grassy plain with snow capped mountains in the distance. An older lady waved us over to our next temporary home. As soon as I put my foot through the door, I felt at home. The building was beautifully made with simple but interesting artwork and furniture. Everyone was re-energized and excited for our stay. Our host, Queen Kolla as she likes to be called, has such a big heart. She started this center twenty three years ago as a vacation spot for cancer patients and their families. Everyone who works there when patients stay are volunteers. Her dear friend passed away from bone cancer, so she promised over his coffin that she would devote herself to helping those with cancer. She only had 10,000 Krónur (~$83) to build this facilities, but with lots of donations and teaching china painting classes she pulled through despite her brother's doubt. The logo for the center is a sick dove held in human hands. The wings are free so it can fly away if the dove gets well. She taught us that the sweetest phrase you can say in Icelandic is "elskar min" which means "I love you my dearest." Kolla served as a great reminder for me to be constantly thankful for the people in my life. No matter what, there is something positive in each day to be thankful for. Even if there isn't any sun, you can make your own sunshine and "always look on the bright side of life."


View from on top of crater. Reconstructing geologic history.


Entrance to the eco-village


Logo for the cancer center designed by Queen Kolla.


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