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Geldingadalir - Yes. The Volcano

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 We saw a volcano! A real, honest, active and spewing lava volcano! Geldingadalir has been erupting in Iceland since mid-March 2021 in southern Iceland. On our first full weekend, we took the hour or so long drive down to the volcano, hoping to see real lava, as J put it. We had gotten her a pair of good hiking boots and were dressed in layers and with lots of water and some snacks, set out to see what we could. One thing about Iceland so far. It's windy. Very windy often. J does not like wind. So, we learned some new uses for face masks! Helped her tremendously on the first part of the hike. After a fairly short walk, we reach an earthen berm. A quick climb up, and there it was. A recently cooled river of lava, still steaming in the middle. It was magnificent. A quick test by E and S guaranteed the edge was cool and J was able to stand on a river of lava! She loved it. She studied a piece of the lava rock closely and we watched the steam and smoke coming from the crater nearby. We...
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A little bit of everything - Museums

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 We are trying to see as much as we can while we are here in Iceland, while not being crazy about it. We are taking the morning and afternoon and visiting museums and other sites of interest around Reykjavik as a family. Our first museum visit was to the Settlement Exhibition. A little place with some great stuff for children, and based around the actual site of an excavated settlement from around 1,000 years ago. Our second visit was to Perlan, a big dome that overlooks Reykjavik that houses a museum and other activities inside. Another big win. There was a video on volcanic and seismic activity that J loved and she has decided that arctic foxes are her new favorite animals. They also have an ice cave. As excited as J was to be Elsa, the reality was a little too cold for her liking though she really enjoyed the glacier exhibit that it led to. Fascinating, and scary information there. There was also a great Aurora movie. We ended up having lunch at the top. It slowly moves in a cir...
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Tröllafoss - First real adventure

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 Our first big ESJ adventure was out to Tröllafoss or the Troll's Waterfall. It was about a 45 minute drive from Reykjavik and we saw quite a few Icelandic ponies on the drive, much to J's delight. After some Google map mix-ups and a drive through some pretty impressive puddles, we found a parking spot and set off on foot. It was quite windy, as Iceland seems to be, and was an adjustment for J, but she made it. Once we made it to the top, she peered over the edge, but didn't want to get too close. One the way back down, she did see a "stone giant" rock that she thinks was from Frozen II. That made her very happy. E was able to find a way down to the waterfall, so we may go back.
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We're Here!

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 After we landed and made it through the airport and our COVID-19 tests, we were able to go pick up our rental car. We piled in and made the drive to Reykjavik and our first AirBnb. We were also quarantined until the results of our test came back.  It was a beautiful and sunny day and we got great views of the scenery on the drive in. At least E and I did. J slept the whole way. And slept her way through the few hours of our quarantine. We got checked in to our AirBnB and met the owners, Iris and Nonni. Both artists, who went above and beyond to make our first experience a positive one. They even provided markers and paper for J to use! After we got settled in, we wandered the neighborhood and had our first Icelandic dinner. Fish and chips, salmon blini and a lamb burger. All very tasty! This was also first night of almost no darkness! Thank goodness for blackout curtains, but it still felt pretty different!
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Getting Here!

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 Hello!  Welcome to ESJ Adventures. This will be our little spot to share our summer in Iceland. We will be here for 63 days -- yes, we had to confirm with both the customs agent and the rental car customer service agent, 63 days was right. The Adventure began like so many do. Double and triple checking for important documents, saying "see you later" to the kitties, shoving suitcases into a car and a trip to the airport. We checked in, had our vaccine cards verified and made it through security and proceeded to explore the terminal while waiting for our flight. Boarding went quickly and smoothly. Icelandair was fantastic for our littlest traveller. A special travel bag and kid-friendly meal were delivered promptly much to her delight. Helped take up a little of the 6 hour 55 minute flight.  E and S both took little cat naps on the plan, but J was wide awake the whole time. Thank goodness for crayons, princess Goldfish crackers and downloaded movies. We landed at around 6:...
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Location: Reykjavík, Iceland
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