I am getting so mixed up about what day it is, especially when I think about what my family and friends are doing 7 hours earlier.  This IS Saturday, September 27th. 

I loved being in the countryside, but it was time to move on at 8:30.  Within a 5-minute drive we came upon this beauty ….

It is said there are 10,000 waterfalls in Iceland.  I can believe it.

I read an interesting book before my trip called Burial Rites by Hannah Kent.  It is about the last woman who was executed in Iceland in 1830.  We visited the site where she was beheaded. 

We continued to drive through some beautiful scenery before stopping to “spread our legs” (locals tour joke) and have a quick bite. 

We got a surprise today …. Inga wanted us to witness a very special annual event:  The Horse Roundup. 

Every spring the mares with their foals are set free to roam the valleys.  They believe it allows them more health and sure footedness.  Every  September, before the bad weather sets in, they round them up, corral them, and sort thousands of horses to return to their owners (the horses are chipped).  This is done in each region that has lots of horses.   I took a ZILLION pics so will only share a few ~

We continued the drive north and absorbed more incredible views on the peninsula.  If I had been in my own car, I’d still be driving that road. 

Now I think I REALLY NEED to go to Norway in honor of my heritage.

Speaking of the Norwegians, they came to Siglufjorgur in 1903 to fish the massive amount of herring in this area.  Of course, the women did the hardest work at the lowest pay.  They performed hours and hours of back breaking work salting and loading the herring in barrels.  Living conditions were deplorable (2 women to each bunk!) but it was quite the place to be to party and meet men!!

By the end of the 60’s, they had overfished the area and the boom was gone.  Today, it is a quiet community of 1300 hardy souls but boasting a great museum honoring the era.

More driving until we ended up in Inga’s hometown of Akureyri.  I have a FABULOUS view from my room and I’m hoping to see the Northern Lights from my BED!

We are here for 3 nights and tomorrow will be another full day.  I’m hoping to get to sleep a little earlier tonight BUT …  if the Lights come …

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