Day 4 - Pony rides, Puffin viewing (minus the Puffins), and Skógafoss

This morning we woke up at 10AM. I guess we overshot a little, but we're ready for Finland. We had breakfast, then made reservations for pony rides. It was about an hour away, but at least it was also the most expensive. This works out in vacation logic.

We arrived and donned our helmets.

Then we learned they do things a bit differently here in Iceland. They handed Anni a horse and told her she could lead it into the corral. Since Anni could just about walk under one of the ponies without ducking, it seemed as likely she'd get stepped on so I helped her until someone else came over and helped her, then left as soon as I stepped away. We practiced in the corral for awhile.

 By practice I mean the horses led Anni around the corral for 5 minutes while the instructors told her what to do and she busied herself turning around in her saddle to wave at Maija and Kai. I think Kai was starting to get it, but Maija's legs, just weren't quite long enough to prod them along. But somehow, they decided we were ready for the trail. And so our hour long ride began.

The country side is beautiful. Somehow I captured the bit with these power lines. Awesome.

Here's a video of some of the crazy horses we met along the way:

Another thing. The instructor decided we were doing such a fantastic job that he decided we could start trotting. Some of you have probably not done this before. It hurts. Every time I'd kick the horse to get it to trot it would start trotting, but I get the feeling I was sending it mixed messages, because it would quickly stop and I'd have to kick it again. I asked our guide if I was doing it wrong, but when he turned around to answer, Anni's horse made a bolt for the lead, so he had to cut his answer short. I'm not sure the answer would have been helpful. When I asked he looked about as confused as my horse. I guess I'll never know.

The only other exciting moment is when Anni got jolted from one stirrup and ended up sideways in the saddle. I know this from Kai. I didn't see it. I like to pretend that he and Anni and Maija and the guide are all exaggerating about this.

Next on the agenda was to find some Puffins. Kelli tells me it's the season and found the right place. So we headed back toward the sourthern tip of Iceland, passing through Selfoss for lunch (crepes and sandwiches), and traveling onward for another hour through some of the most jaw-dropping country we've seen.

When we got to Dyrhólaey we found no puffins, but we a good time climbing around.

We have had a few talks with the kids about how they don't put fences in front of cliffs in Iceland, even straight off the tourist parking lot. That has taken a little getting used to for me, but I've been sure to pass the trauma down the chain of command. I think it's clear now.

We then drove back the way we'd come, looking for a place to eat. After I'd missed 2 suggested exits where we might eat, I took the next which had no marking of a place to eat, but it did have a waterfall and as it happens one of our best meals as well---thank goodness. The waterfall was called Skógafoss.

The girls and I climbed the steps while Kelli and Kai went to order at the restaurant. Gullfoss was impressive, but I think I liked this one even more.

And here's a pic from the bottom.

If I could describe hills and mountains and rivers and the sea like Hillaire Belloc I would go on, but I can't.

We then had a great meal and the kids were even a little less crazy than the last few meals.

The boy is a work in progress.

Back home late again.