Day 4 Southeast Iceland

Our fourth day was busy with lots of stops, our first being Seljalandsfoss. We saw lots of waterfalls in Iceland, but this was the only one that we got to go behind. This site made me grateful that so many sites on our trip had semi-paved walking trails because this hike, where the trail was totally natural, was really hard for me to do. We were also extra grateful for our rainjackets because we got soaked when the wind kicked up as we (very slowly) made our way out from behind the falls.

A short walk beyond Seljalandsfoss was another waterfall, Gljufrabui, tucked back through a ravine. It looked a little beyond my abilities, so I sent Jason along to see it while I basked in the lovely warm sun.

We were especially grateful for the sunny day when we showed up to Skogafoss. It is almost 200 feet tall, and it looked stunning with the bright blue sky behind it and a perfect rainbow in front! 

We climbed all 527 steps to get to the top. We were slow and stepped to the side to let people pass us a few times, but I'm glad we did it!

We walked upriver for a bit enjoying the views. 

Next, we stopped at Solheimajokull Glacier. We walked about 15 minutes from the parking lot, and it was still pretty far beyond where we stopped. The shifting, rocky trail made us (me) decide to just view it from a distance. It is crazy to realize that a generation ago, the parking lot was at the edge of the glacier; it is losing about 200 feet of length and 30-60 feet of thickness each year. Yikes! It was on this day at another glacier near here that a tourist died when part of their glacier caved in. It was one of the few times on this trip that we wondered if my ankle injury and the limits it imposed upon us may have actually saved us from greater injury or worse.

We continued on to Dyrholaey promontory and loved the views from up high of its beautiful black sand and interesting rock outcroppings. 

Even better was the nearby Reynisfjara with its black pebble beach and basalt formations. It was stunningly pretty, but apparently very dangerous and known for its sneaker waves and strong undertow; no one was in the water and we all stayed well away from the shoreline (this being one of many ways Iceland can kill you, according to an "I'm kind of joking, but not really" article Jason read before we left). 

This beach was one of my favorite things we saw in Iceland. I could have stayed there all day.