May 17, 2016 by sgeddis

#geddis66° Day 5 – Látrabjarg Bird Cliffs

Another wonderful day in Iceland! Sunny and not overly cold. Today’s agenda was to travel from our Airbnb in Stykkishólmur and drive to Ísafjörður in the Westfjords and see the Látrabjarg Bird Cliffs along they way. The landscape was stunning, the bird cliffs pretty cool (and allows for a good hike) and Ísafjörður is very charming! Would plan 2 night here if we did this again.

We stopped for petrol and a drink in Búðardalur and met Rebecca Hosterfeld.

She was, from Denmark and came to Iceland and married an Iclenadic Man (he is a wonderful man) and they own a farm. They have 3 wonderful kids!! We asked about winters and she shared a Youtube she made https://youtu.be/u5pU6iUE3dg Take a look!!!

On the to bird cliffs. The road took us to some beautiful spots along the south coast of the Westfjords.

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Near Gufudalur

As the road became gravel there were some great and odd sights.

A salvaged U.S. Navy plane at the Hnjótur Folk Museum

And several salvaged “shipwrecks”

Ship Wreck

The Bird Cliffs

Bird Cliffs 2

The picture is upright. They sleep (and poop) along the cliff wall.

As we entered the area this sign is prominent.

Of course not everyone can read. Wait there is no words!

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bird Cliffs 3 don't fall

Bird Cliffs offered a good hike opportunity for Dianne

(I went 1/2 way)

di to the top bird cliffs

And she made it to the top!

di to the top bird cliffs2

Bird Cliffs to Ísafjörður

The drive from Bird Cliffs to Ísafjörður took a lot longer than we thought. It was dirt roads through the mountains and fjords. 227 km took almost 6 hours. But, as is true all over Iceland it was BEAUTIFUL. But boy were we tired when we arrived.

Here are some photos from along the way.

Another “shipwreck”

Sheep and babys enroute Westfjords

You gotta love a Sheep and her babes

Moon over Wesffjords

Westfjords views 1

The frozen tundra of Westfjords

Golf Course Þingeyri westfjords

There a a lot of golf courses in Iceland. Would have never thought of it. Most are kind of a pin flag in a sheep pasture but golf is golf. Golf Iceland (http://www.golfer.is/) says there are 65 courses in Iceland

Play it as it lies.

Dynjandi Fjallfoss Westfjords

Dynjani Falls

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Near Hnjótur

Don't

OK We promise we won”t!!

Long drive but worth it when we arrived in Ísafjörður. What a GREAT little township!

View from the window of our room in a wonderful Airbnb.

Ísafjörður in our room

May 17, 2016 by sgeddis

#geddis66° Day 4 – Snæfellsjökull National Park

Today was a visit to Snæfellsjökull National Park on the west tip of the Snæfellsness Peninsula in the region known as West Iceland.

A beautiful day full of sun. A bit windy at times but simply a beautiful day.

Day 4 Rusted Wheel

A quick stop for rations off to the Snæfellsjökull National Park. Along they way a stop at Holar to see the Lava Beach and a church originally built in 1703,

Di on the Black Lava Beach

Lava beach

Day 4 1700 Church

Cross Cemetary

The mystical volcano Snæfellsjökull Glacier has inspired artists and poets through the centuries, being one of seven greatest energy centres on Earth. Snæfellsjökull is the setting of Jules Verne’s Journey to the center of the Earth.

glacer valcano

signs

After this stop on to find a hike.

Dianne hiked this 4.5 km trail along the west tip of Iceland coast. Beautiful and inspiring and a bit of Adrenalin when you get a bit lost and the trail is not well marked!!

Then Di and I had a great walk on the Black Beach at Djúpalónssandur beach. The beach is littered with parts of the wreck of the Trawler Epine the 1940’s! These pieces would long ago been taken or destroyed on an American beach. 5 of the crew of 19 were saved.

Trawler Epine

Lava Beach Dj

Day 4 LIchten

#geddis66° Day 3 Reykjavik to Stykkishólmur

A great drive today. Stopped and picked up a TramWire MIFI. A must!!!

TramWire Pickup spot

Then off to Western Iceland. Pictures from along the way.

Hoping for sun but enjoying what we get!!

Day 3 along the way

Baby Sheep

Sheep and their babies

Sun was trying!

Day 3 6

Hears comes the Sun!

Here comes the sun!

Lots of steeples in Iceland

Lots of Steeples in Iceland

We found our Airbnb and it is GREAT. Quaint, 15 minutes from the town of Stykkishólmur and great views.

PS This is Tommy the Toyota our Sad Car. He is not sad but rented from SadCars.

Bunk Beds!! (I offered to be on top!)

Bunk Beds

The view from our place is spectacular.

Day 3 From our place

May 15, 2016 by sgeddis

#geddis66° Day 1 and 2

Our day leaving Phoenix was a long one. Southwest Airlines to Boston to with change of planes in Houston. Just before arrival in Houston they close the airport and divert us to Corpus Christi. Take fuel and told Houston is open. Then sit another 30 minutes to get in line to land in Houston, Worried most of the time about our connection.

But as is often does it worked out. The connecting flight was delayed also and we made it. Very late, 2am Boston time, arrival but arrived none the less. Short night at a Roadway Inn and back to the air port to catch the flight to Keflavik, Iceland.

Leaving for Iceland

The Icelandic Air flight was good. Somewhere over Greenland the pilot announced the toilets were full except one and everyone to only use if if absolutely necessary. Of course a dozen people jump up and suddenly have to go. They also suspended beverage service to lessen the use of the lavatories. Gotta love it.

We landed in Iceland on time and after customs and a couple of bottles of duty free wine for Dianne we we were off to find our Sad Car. Sad Car rentals are rentals of used cars but much cheaper than Hertz or Budget. The SadCar man met us and another small family and took us by van to collect our very used, but very serviceable Toyota Rav4.

Our Ride!! Only 344,916 km on the odometer (That’s 244,000 miles for you not so metric inclined)

We asked for directions to our lodgings but not sure we communicated with him very well. After an hour of driving around at 1 am we saw and stopped at the Police Station. After making gentle fun of us two very nice officers escorted us to our Guesthouse. Created quite a stir as they thought some VIP was arriving only to find just two lost and tired Americans. Sorry to disappoint folks but great thanks to the Keflavik Police officers.

Our lodging was great, Bergas Guesthouse. We would recommend them 100%. Cute room with kitchenette , bed and black out curtains. All we needed!!

Bergas Guesthouse, Our first night in Iceland

Tomorrow we head out for Snæfellsnesvegur where we will spend 2 sleeps. Pictures from along the way follow.

May 9, 2016 by sgeddis

#geddis66°

Dad ask if he could post pictures here from Mom and Dad’s trip to Iceland next week.

He said to tell you they will try to post here daily if you are interested in following along Will also send notice of updates to this blog on twitter under the hashtag #geddis66°

Here are the locations and nights they will be traveling and staying.

master-night-stay-map-iceland-2016

May 8, 2016 by sgeddis

Summer of 15

The Summer of 15 I spent most of my time on the beaches near Netarts Oregon. You know how I love water!!

Mom and Dad left me with a Tyler (a really good guy) while they explored Canada near Banf and Jasper in Alberta. The told me they had a really good time. I don’t understand why I can go. Oh well, Dad did come pick me up and we drove to Oregon and saw Luke and Lola (And Jenni and Dustin too). Spent about a week with them and then off to the ocean!! The great news is that Luke and his mom and dad come over on weekends and I got to play with Luke on the beach.

I thought I would let the pictures speak for them self

Love this kid!! He is so sweet and nice to me. #MaddyLovesLuke

Luke

Love my naps! Took one whenever Luke did! He sure naps more this year than last!

Dad is always happy with Luke in his arms. Good thing he still loves me or I might be jealous!

While in Portland Mom and Jenni and Dad’s friend Dianna ran a 1/2 marathon. Way to go.

Off to the Beach! It doesn’t get better than this!!

Wow! We had to hike down that to get here but boy was it worth it!!

Got to spend time on my favorite beach at Cape Mears! A dog and her stick!

Did I tell you I love the water??

Beautiful Flowers in Oregon

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Luke getting his feet wet. I tried to show him by running in but he was still learning. I bet next summer he will be running in the surf with me.

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Time to head home to Phoenix

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Dad always finds places for me to play in the water and run in the park.

May 1, 2016 by sgeddis

Update Summer of 14

Sorry I have not posted in awhile. Just been busy living my little life.

A lot has happened since my last post of driving to Oregon with Alex and Dad.

Luke Papa's Hand

During the summer of 2014 we stayed in Portland and did not get to the beach. But I did get to meet Luke Luke was born in April of 2014 and was just figuring out the whole thing while we were there. He is really special but cried a lot that summer. I helped Lola watch over him when we were there.

Mom came up for a week to visit Dad and I and we went to the Portland Rose Gardens. It really smelled good!!

Dad and I in the Gardens

Mom smelling the Roses!

Beautiful

Napping in the Sun.

While we were there we stayed in this really cool place. It was a studio apartment in a very

Dad an Headed Home Summer 2014 d I got to drive home together. I enjoy riding and stopping in parks to run and play (or rest).

Paws2Read

When we got back to Phoenix Dad and I began volunteering for Paws2Read and visiting South Mountain Library and listening to kids read to me. I never criticize or correct them, I think they like that.

July 7, 2014 by sgeddis

Road trip!

Well it is summer and Dad and I are off on another road trip. This time it is going to be really fun because Alex is going with us!!

The first day on the road was a long one! We drove across the Arizona desert and stopped at Les’s house to have lunch with Les, Holly, Grant and Tyler. Had a great time. They have a really nice yard and a pool! I got to go swimming in the pool. You remember I love water right?

The rest of the day was hot and dry. Everywhere in California it seemed to be brown grass. It was hard for Dad to find places for me to potty.

We stopped near the entrance of Cal Arts. This is the university that Alex is thinking about completing his Masters of Music in Jazz. I just saw a shady green place to pee.

We drove 655 miles and slept in a Motel 6 in the San Luis Reservoir Recreation Area. What a day!! Boy did the my bed on the floor feel good!

Happy Holidays

July 14, 2013 by sgeddis

This week on the Cape

Been a good week on Cape Meares with Dad.

Each day we have walked a long way on the beach. I sure like to run in the water and stiff along the driftwood.

Nothing like a good back scratch.

Love walking on the beach.

Alderbrook Golf Course

On Friday Dad left me at home and played golf at Alderbrook Golf Course in Tillamook.

He told me it was a lot of fun a a pretty golf course.
Mostly I just napped in the sun!

Lola is back!

Lola came back on Friday and brought Dustin and Jenni with her.

When they arrived Dad grilled Halibut for dinner and then went to the beach.

I don’t understand why they keep making us sit for pictures when there is an ocean and beach to play in. The good news is we always get a treat when they are done.