Our last full day in Iceland began with a little extra sleep! Brian had arranged a visit to a local sheep farm later in the morning so we had a comparatively leisurely time getting packed and ready to go.
Individual blue signs mark properties on rural Iceland roads.
We found the farm fairly easily after a nice little drive through rural Iceland roads. Cathy and her husband Þorsteinn, met us in their barn and immediately introduced us to approximately 40 pregnant sheep. If we had arrived just a few minutes earlier, they said we would have been able to witness one of the sheep giving birth. As it was, we still appreciated seeing the two brand new lambs getting cleaned up by their mama and learning to get up on their little legs.
The remaining pregnant sheep in the barn; other sections of the barn were dedicated to newborn lambs and those a few days old in “lamb kindergarten.”
Cathy and her husband explained the workings of lambing season and let us hold and pet a couple of the 1-2 day old lambs. Emmie loved the experience and is convinced that her GeeGee should get a boy lamb for her house. Noah was slightly reserved and, though he reported that he likes the lambs, he did not want to touch them because he didn’t want to have to wash his hands afterwards.
Emmie was ready to give the baby lamb a kiss.
After we left the farm we stopped very briefly at the Urriðafoss waterfall. Noah requested to stay in the car, so we hopped out with Emmie and took a few photos before heading on with our day. The waterfall was said to be the most volumous in Iceland.
Emmie wasn’t impressed by the Urriðafoss waterfall, but Brian insisted on a photo nonetheless.
Gullfoss Cafe was our lunch destination. Famous for their lamb stew and their penchant for high tourist-driven prices, the soup and unlimited rolls hit the spot. Brian also enjoyed several packets of the real Icelandic butter on his rolls (read: a packet of butter per roll). Editor’s Note: How often do you get to eat Icelandic butter?
Gullfoss Waterfall is located just a short walk away outside the cafe. While it was very pretty, it was cold and windy, and sprinkling, and neither of the kids wanted to venture too close. We snapped a few photos and called it good.
A short drive down the road found us at Geysir, featuring a large visitor’s center and gift shop adjacent to a collection of geysers. There are small geysers spotted thoughout the field on approach to the Strokkur geyser, which could be described as a shorter but much more frequent version of “Old Faithful.” While both of the kids were impressed by the billows of steam along the walk, they didn’t love the sulfuric smells that they let loose.
Brian couldn’t resist a photo of the Geysir sign and its dedicated ice cream icon.
After waiting only a few minutes the Strokkur geyser erupted. Noah loved it. Emmie started sobbing and crying, “I want to go back to the car!” Poor Emmie was forced to endure several more eruptions, though from a much further distance, before we were finally able to pull Noah away.
Noah loved the geyser.
Emmie did not.
Of course, Brian had an ice cream stop scheduled into our day. Located on a countryside hill, the Efsti Dalur farm II is host to an ice cream shop, guesthouse, and a restaurant. As we ordered our ice cream Emmie was delighted to realize that, on the other side of a wall of windows, the cows who provided the milk for her ice cream were cozy in their side of the barn.
Signs directed visitors to each element of the E farmstead.
Our driving continued through the scenic Þingviller National Park, home site of Iceland’s first parliament and home to miles of breathtaking scenery. We stopped for a quick walk and climbed on some rocks before loading back into the car and heading onward.
We made a quick stop in Reykjavik to mail our hot dog mustard and to grab a final batch of hotdogs from the beloved Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur. While I loved the hot dog the first time, and possibly the second time we had them, I was super glad Brian will no longer be able to add hotdog stops on the itinerary. Final hot dog spending for the Iceland leg of our adventure: 7150 krónur.
One of many lovely views on our drive to Reykjavik.
With oceanside lighthouse views and Iceland ponies in the front yard, our home for the night was the top floor of a family house near the village of Vogar. The kids loved the spiral staircase leading up to our digs, and I wish that I had a photo of Emmie’s facial expression when she realize that the small alcove behind the stairs held a multitude of toys.
Our hosts had thoughtfully left some fresh Icelandic kleinur, or twisted donuts, along with a cold half gallon of milk for us to enjoy upon arrival. The kids went wild playing with the bins of toys and exploring the nooks and crannies of the new place. Both kids were excited to sleep in the bed hidden away in another alcove.
Emmie loved the horses outside our farm home along the Atlantic Ocean.
One thing that didn’t help us in this apartment was the multiple curtain-less skylights and thus, the large amount of light in the space. Because sunset does not occur until after 11 p.m. this time of year, our kids could not quite grasp the concept of bedtime and were awake well past “sunset.” (We’ve found in Iceland it never seems to get dark.) With alarms set for 3:50 the next morning for our drive to the airport, we were guaranteed one short night of sleep!
Iceland at midnight.