Reynisfjara beach . . .
whose basalt cliffs jut upward, forcing perspective like some impossible city of stone
and whose black beach stretches through the mist towards Dyrholaey.
The volcanic palette of Heimaey Island from Eldfell ("Fire Mountain")
and a pair of happy trampers overlooking Eldfell from her sister mountain, Helgafell.
Darkening skies above the lighthouse at Gardskagi
and a lone dwelling near the bird cliffs at Hafnaberg.
For some experiences, words fail and pictures are inadequate to the task of full description. Still, they have the power to stir memory, and to render the perfect details present for us again. Like the marvelous langoustines at Höfn, or the horses sheltering in the ruins of an old farmhouse as sun set on the way home, finding a dead puffin (our first) at Reynisfjara, then looking up at the cliffs teeming with life. Whimbrels in the morning, cairns (and more cairns), trees and gravestones behind a chapel in Reykavik, a loon teaching her chick to dive and a last family of terns at Kleifarvatn. If there is a god, it is in these moments.
Hmmm, nice! I just had to click and enlarge each picture to see more of the Icelandic beauty. Makes me want to run to the airport and book a flight. I am glad you had such a wonderful trip.
ReplyDeleteRichard, Faith (Jane) just pointed me to your absolutely beautiful blog and I thought I'd say a quick hi. So...hi! How are you? John and I are doing great--living in Seattle (which is kind of like winning the lottery every day) with our golden retriever puppy Linus. (We lost Abby, who I believe you once called the cutest little blonde you'd ever slept with, just last year at the age of 12.) I work for Amazon and John is still running SeedCode, his software company. We are busier than we ever thought we'd be but really can't complain. I'd love to catch up sometime! My email is kcoulter@thecompanyiworkfor.com (um, not literally--trying to do the spam-blocker thing). Hope to hear from you--Kristi
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