In Memorium

"Today I took my last breath" ... so began the obituary of one of the most remarkable people I've ever known. LuAnn wrote her own obit as she was losing the fight with ovarian cancer. And it was a grand fight, for she never seemed to give up. Unfortunately, for those who have known her and loved her, she lost the fight last Friday. I’ve known LuAnn for a relatively short time, since we've moved here, but in that short time she had a profound effect on me; LuAnn was that kind of person. She radiated warmth and always had a positive aura around her, a sparkle in her eye and a smile on her face. LuAnn was such a genuine person that she always made people feel welcomed and comfortable around her and in her home. Even in her most difficult times, even when she was in pain, she exuded this warmth toward others, what an amazing person to be able to do that! LuAnn had such a strong spirit that she fought her cancer with grace and dignity through to the end; she is truly an inspiration to us all. If I could live life with half the spirit, courage and positive attitude that she always showed, I’d be a lucky person, indeed. I will think of her and remember her strength and her courage when life’s little trivialities are getting me down to help put things in perspective and become a better person. LuAnn was truly remarkable and it is truly a gift to have been able to know her.

Enough!! :-)

Everytime I open the site I am blasted with that awful picture of my leg so I am putting up a new post just so I can stop looking at it each time! :-) Here are some pictures of Rockport. We stopped to visit Rich's family, before flying out of Boston to Iceland, for a few days. We spent some time in Lebanon (CT) with Rich's brother's and their families, and his parents, then drove to Rockport (MA) to enjoy some time on the coast at his folks' cottage. Scott drove up from Boston to join us for an evening, of course it's always a treat to spend time with him. It was awesome. I love it out there!!

Back to School gift..?

Well-

Maybe it's good that Karen is getting back to school!! Only a week after being home, back on her bike and she found out that the Utah ground is harder than Iceland. Lucky that this is her thigh not her head (or pretty little face!!). Other than the rather hideous looking, tye-dye color of her leg that is like a baby head on her hip she is fine!! I told her that the mtn bike may find it's way to ebay, or she is banned from riding without me- one or the other. Seems like she always crashes on rides when I'm not around?

Other than the crash, it is the same old UT. Still high 90's and low 100's, no rain- typical desert! This week we look to try and organize the Iceland pics. I am also trying out a photo page on flickr to see if I like it. I am not happy with the kodak page that requires all of you to sign in. I'll let you know when I get to test it some more.

Ride Safe!!

Iceland, part 1

Wow. What an amazing place! I think I will duplicate some of my journal writings to give you a sense of what it was like.
24 July
In Reykjavik. What a great little city. An interesting blend of European town and "the hood" (due to the great amount of grafitti everywhere). Buildings are somehwat modern and urban in appearance being made of concrete and metal. Relatively speaking, as far as Europe in concerned, Reykjavik is a baby. One or two very old looking buildings pop up here and there to make you think you are ages away except that they are then situated next ot a metallic structure that makes you wonder where you are.
25 July
In Landmannalaugar! What a crazy bus ride! 4x4ing, river crossings, perilous cliff edges, all on a full sized bus! I keep trying to compare it to places I know; "this reminds me of..." but I cant. Lava fields, pumice sand, rhyolite hills, steaming earth, river and green green grass make up this crazy landscape.
26 July
At Hrafntinnusker hut. If only I had vocabulary enough to describe our hike! The colors, the textures! What an amazing hike! First, the golds, oranges and reds of the rhyolite hills. Grasses and mosses a brilliant chartruse green among black dirt. Steaming vents all around adding a totally surreal effect, prehistoric. Magnificent hues, panoramic views. Primoridial. I can imagine the dinosaurs roaming here among the steamy vents and bare hills. Only the icy fields of glacial snow contradicts this image.
27 July
Today we got caught in the rain on and off all day, but not too cold or hard so it was fine. The hiking was actually pretty hard - steep up, steep down, repeat. The Icelanders do not believe in switchbacks and everything goes straight up and down, "shortest distance" one Icelander told me. We started out walking over big "fingers" like the glacier's icy fingers cut throught the earth then melted, leaving snow in the trenches. We had many snow bridges to cross but nothing too scary. Glaciers to the east of us - huge sprawling things covered with black dirt creating unusual patterns. Eventually we came to the "Kingdom of the Lord of the Rings". We overlooked emerald mountains shaped in odd peaks. In their shadow is a gigantic glacier that covers nearly the entire horizon framing the green peaks and valley. Rivers run through the valley and dark clouds loom overhead. Mist and fog add an eerie effect.

28 July

The hike today was wet and generally flat. A fairly nondescript hike in terms of scenery. We hiked through a black sand and gravel desert most of the way. Some grassy peaks around and a huge glacier beyond. Rain, rain, rain. Took a little side hike once we reached Emstrur hut (it cleared up for a bit) to an awesome canyon with a beautiful river flowing through. Our new friends, Ida and Allend, from Norway, joined us. Awesome.

20 July

We actually got an early start today - 8:30! Doing 9.5 miles today. Today our hike was very pretty, subtle, with a different twist. A huge canyon to our right and pretty rocky cliff-like areas, boulders and streams. Very pleasant. We had an interesting bridge to cross over the canyon, that required some ropes and chains and a very cold and fast moving river to ford. We then entered "Thor's Forest", the only "trees" in Iceland, I think. They are dwarf birches. The Icelanders say, "Lost in an Icelandic forest? Just stand up!"
30 July
Should we? Shouldnt we? So it went this morning in the grand debate whether to go over the pass or not. The warden said "Eh, some sun, maybe..." So, with a couple of blue sky patches overhead to encourage us, we decided to go for it, stop at the next hut to ask about weather conditions there and then decide whether or not to continue. The warden there said, "I would not hike the pass today." We headed back, defeated by weather, but doing the wisest thing. Took the long way around to the top of an amazing peak with incredible views and then took the bus back to Reykjavik.

Scroll down to find Iceland, part 2!!

Iceland, part 2

The second part of our trip was "touring". The weather was uncooperative for our second two day hike up north so we decided to rent a car and tour around seeing the sights. Actually, a great way to get the best of all worlds exploring a new country. Walk through it half the time, and drive around to check out the "tourist" spots the second time. Taking the long road trip we were able to get a good feel for the character of the everyday - farm lands, coastal beauty, little towns, etc. Very nice. We stayed in hostels and camped during this time. The hostels in Iceland are really nice, clean and comfortable. We stayed only one night in a hotel, halfway through, to wash clothes and relax after the hike. That was luxurious! We started our road trip up north to a town called Husavik, a little fishing/whaling village - very quaint. We then headed to the national park up further north and enjoyed the canyons and waterfalls. We were going to camp there that night but decided, since it was early in the day and still raining, we would road trip all the way down the coast to Skaftafell NP, to see the big glaciers! It was a long drive but really nice. Beautiful, unspoiled coast, pristine farms - most of the farms are really pretty white buildings with red roofs, lots of rivers and fjords, tons of birds, and huge glaciers. Very nice!!