We headed out on the bus around 10:30 and crossed the Jokulsà à Fjöllum, driving across the Odaðhraun for several hours through pahoehoe covered by pumice from the 1875 Askja Eruption.  The Odaðhraun is Iceland’s largest fissure eruption, covering more than 4400 km2.  We stopped for lunch along the road and photographed Herðubreið, which finally cleared, revealing the cone on its top. 

I had told Siggi that I wanted to take a different route than my 1996 trip.  We drove for many kilometers along the Jokulsà à Bru.  The river was raging its whole length.  Numerous beautiful waterfalls cascaded down both sides of the valley.  The northern part of the valley had two levels of river terraces that extended for at least 10 km. 

We followed the main road into Egilsstaðir and pulled into the campground.  We didn’t stay here in 1996 although we did shop in the supermarket, which is right next to the campground. Lauren and I went shopping to get the food for the next 7 days.  We filled five carts and spent a little over $1000.  The whole store watched as the very long receipt printed out. 

Cheryl, Lauren, David, and Elaine cooked an excellent chili for dinner.  We also celebrated Neal’s 22nd birthday, which was actually a few days ago.  Across from our main tent an Icelander was playing his accordion.  He was very good and attracted a good crowd.  We invited them over to our tent.  They declined but played “Happy Birthday” for Neal. 

I took a shower, which was wonderful.  It’s nice to be in a place with too much hot water. 

A bunch of the students went over to a nearby pub.  They met some weird Icelandic kids who were seeing east Iceland for the first time.  I went to bed at 11:30 and was soon asleep.  The air was actually somewhat warm, 10-12° C. 
 

                     Ecology    Environmental Studies    Mathematics