Iceland 2018

Two summers ago, Jonell, Jake, Jens and I took a trip to Iceland to visit Steve Gromataka who worked at Maplelag for a few seasons and his fiancee Hekla. It was a awesome trip and I wanted to go back someday. Steve and Hekla made an announcement in the spring they were finally getting married and set a date for June! We didn't think we would be able to make it but the pricing was incredibly low so we couldn't pass it up. Jack was up to head over and made for a great senior present/dad son trip. Jack couldn't take too many days off from work and same for me so we made an extended weekend out of it. 

Checking out the scene seaside the first day.

The day we arrived, there was a midnight sun longest day of summer run. Steve said a bunch of people were doing it so we signed up. Running is not kind to my body so I tried to run 2-3 times a week a month leading up. It never was comfortable running but the race was fun and a great atmosphere. There were close to 3000 runners with almost half from other countries. A bucket list run I guess. It was also Jack's longest running race as the cross country races are 5km.

Downtown Reykjavik before the race. 

Had to visit the hot dog stand post race. The best hot dogs in the world! Made with lamb of course. 

The World Cup of soccer was going on and everyone was in to it, of course, with Iceland playing and just the general interest in soccer and Nationalist pride.

Every town and small village had a soccer field. Most of the larger towns had indoor facilities as well.

The next day we visited some of the area attractions including the Gulfoss waterfall.

Jack digging the jacked up off road vehicles.

Icelandic meal.

Wedding day! It was great to witness a Icelandic wedding. There were fun "events" during the reception with lots and lots of laughs. Everything I expected at Steve's wedding, and more.

Met some new folks including the baker from Isofjord. A avid, skier, mountain biker and general outdoor enthusiast.

We took a few hikes in the spare time. The landscape, scenery is simply awesome.

Cod heads drying. Kinda spooky.

More soccer fields.

Photo booth fun at the wedding.

Jack at the lighthouse on the far most western south point in Iceland.

Strolling through downtown Reykjavik at 11pm. It's a crazy feeling having light all through the night. We kept on Minnesota time, staying up to 3-4 in the morning than getting up at 9-10am. 

View at top of state church.

Short hike in the mountainside.

At the base of the Espers hike.

Turned out to be a very wet hike as it rained the entire 3 hours. Still a awesome views. Thanks for the fun trip Jack and Steve and Hekla for having us at your wedding.