How to Explore Iceland’s South Coast

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After four days spent exploring Iceland, I can tell you my absolute favorite was driving through the south coast and visiting Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.

Below is how we did it in one day.

We stayed in Reykjavik and took an entire day to drive to the Lagoon and back. We left our Airbnb at 6 am to start our drive. The total drive time depending upon weather is four and a half to five hours to the Lagoon. Always check the weather prior to departure. Keep in mind conditions can change in an instant depending on the season you are traveling.  You can also choose to stay in towns on the way like Vik or rent a campervan and stay wherever you choose along the way. But, it can be done in a day too, weather dependent.

 

Once you get to the lagoon the views are breathtaking. You’ll see white, blue, black and turquoise icebergs floating and dancing before you. The icebergs are 1,000-year-old pieces of the Oraefajokull glacier breaking off and heading out to sea. You can hike around the perimeter or during the summer months take a boat tour out and around the icebergs.  We saw multiple seals swimming around and lounging near the icebergs.

After hiking around or boating between the icebergs, there are a couple of food trucks situated by the Lagoon parking lot. These could be weather or seasonal, but when we were there the options were fish and chips or a truck with lobster rolls and seafood stew.

On your way to the Lagoon or your way back, take time to pull of the side of the road and explore. There are waterfalls coming out of everywhere! Could you imagine this backdrop as your backyard? Many of these are private property (and many are not). Picture your morning view, a cup of coffee and the beauty of a backyard waterfall. I’m in.

Skogafoss waterfall is also on your path to or from the Lagoon. Skogafoss is about two hours out of Reykjavik. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a rainbow or two… we did 🙂 Unfortunately I did not get to climb the 370 steps to the top of the waterfall (stairs and being 6 months pregnant does not equal a great climb), but if you do I hear the view of the coast at the top is beyond worth it. There’s also a hiking trail that begins here and a camping area.

Renting a car versus taking a bus tour was how we picked to explore and I’m so glad we did. Every time something popped up into our view that we wanted to check out; we just pulled over and explored. We could take our time or just a picture and hop back in.

On our way back to Reykjavik we stopped off to check out the Black Sand Beach, Reynisfjara in Vik. There is a parking lot here with a restaurant, toilets and a food truck, in case you need to fuel up!

The black sand mixed with the powerful waves and rocky cliffs is a sight to behold. I’m guessing there are fewer visitors early in the morning; so if you can, make it your first stop on your way to the Lagoon.

Keep in mind the sneaker waves. Do not stand too close to the water and never turn your back to the water.

Finally to wrap up your South Coast tour; if you’ve done it in one day as we did, pizza and beer is the only acceptable end. Olverk Brewery is a must on your way back into the city. The brewery is located about 30 minutes outside of Reykjavik.

After stuffing ourselves with pizza we made it back to the Airbnb just before midnight. A very successful day of exploring the South Coast.

Truly there is so much to see! Any questions about traveling Iceland’s South Coast?

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Hopping on the Red Wagon…

As a kid, I had one of those red wagons, you know the one with the black handle?  That you would hop into and ride down the hill?

It was in a sense a mini rollercoaster, careening down the hill. Perhaps a friend or sibling or two grasping my waist and hanging on for the ride. Sometimes you tumbled off and others you almost swung into a tree.  I mean the handle wasn’t the best steering wheel; but it was o so fun!

The restaurant we tried on Saturday brought up all of those red wagon memories. And for obvious reasons.

Red Wagon Pizza Company was on our evening agenda. Red Wagon stated as a passion project at the Linden Hills Farmers Market. Today you can visit the brick and mortar restaurant in South Minneapolis off Penn.

The black and white vintage feel was an inviting haven from the pending thunderstorm…. I also wanted to run off with the roses next to us 🙂

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Bar chips were ordered to start the meal.

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Next was the arugula salad…. while normally it comes with strawberries, the pickled peaches were a welcome substitution.

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As it was my first time at Red Wagon, we went with the classic Red Wagon Pizza; house cheese, red sauce, homemade sausage, soppresatta ribbons, chili flakes and a tiny drizzle of fig balsamic.

When you use loved and fresh ingredients….. you can taste it. And Red Wagon for sure loves its ingredients… you can taste it in every bite.

I’m ready for another pizza pie please 🙂

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I’m disappointed the leftover pieces are in someone else’s fridge and not mine…. 🙂

I’ll be over here wishing I had another piece of pizza and reminiscing of wagon roller coaster rides….

Have you been to Red Wagon Pizza Company?

Pizza “Farmin”

Have you been to a pizza farm?

If not, you are missing out.

Rolling fields, green pastures, farm to table ingredients (quite literally), scenic dining, traipsing through fields. All the many experiences of a pizza farm.

And did I mention… Pizza.

Apparently these places have been around for quite some time. A hidden gem and secret to many. Until quite recently most people I knew had never heard of one.  There were a handful of people I talked to, who had any clue what I was referring to.

Thankfully, the secret has been exposed. The crowds are headed out of the city and onto the farm.

Checking out a pizza farm has been on my list for quite some time. I just needed the perfect excuse.  And D’s birthday pizza farm wish was exactly what it took to get me there. One only turns 29 once, and if a pizza farm is what she wants, well of course that is what she is going to get!

Off we went to check out A to Z Produce and Bakery.

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I think I’ll require D to do all my table settings from now on 🙂

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Look appealing? You should check it out 🙂

Lets Break a Rule

A little fun fact about me.  I don’t break the rules. I cannot handle the enormous guilt I experience when doing so.

I follow the rules and I most likely annoying others about them.

Perhaps this explains my career choice?

You know, the law and such.

Perhaps this holds me back from having a bit more fun? Perhaps I miss out on fully experiencing things because of that little angel of good on my shoulder, poking me, shaking its head and laying out every almost impossible negligence scenario in my head.

I blame my Torts Professor.

With all of this in mind, imagine my reaction to the “Trail Closed” sign while hiking last weekend. My frozen pause, my we shouldn’t do this look.  My ok, lets turn back now attitude. Turn back we did.  No amount of convincing was going to get me to change my mind.

No, none at all.  And as we walked back down the trail, other hikers were headed past us. Brazenly moving the sign away and traipsing up that hill (bluff).

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I’m quite convinced my thought process could be overheard, as that little angel of good kept poking my shoulder, shaking its head and my desire to try the new and explore arguing back.

It took a mere four people nonchalantly passing the sign to convince me to break the rules.  All the while every ridiculous tragedy scenario running through my head. ( It never goes away. never)

Break the rules we did.

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Rule breaking required shopping and pizza.  But of course.

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Have you been to Red Wing, MN? It is a town that calls for exploring. A day trip, a weekend, just go. I could spend hours in and out of the shops, sampling the beers and O! The St. James Hotel, I would love to spend a night there. Who is in for a weekend trip with me to Red Wing?

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I promise to consider breaking a few more rules, key word, consider 🙂