Thingvellir National Park - Iceland

This year we (once again) explored the surreal landscapes of Iceland. On a drizzly, foggy day we ventured into the wilds of Thingviller National Park. As the name suggests, it was the site of the historic meetings, but it is also a spot well renowned for it's natural beauty.

Through the middle of the park, and running into the bottom of the large lake, is the seam between the North American and Eurasian crustal plates. The chasm plummets underwater more than 50m, and with a good wetsuit it is possible to swim between two continents.

Even in the fog we went looking for new vantage points, and climbed an extremely steep ( I live in the Rocky Mountains, this road was the steepest I've ever seen!) road up and over a volcanic range. The tops of the mountains were an alien landscape, the road dipped and turned sharply to move between the lava crags. A carpet of tundra grasses and moss clung to the black and red stone.

Hiking trails snaked along the peaks, with lots of snow lingering. We could see that people take skis here in the winter, as well as some kind of tracked vehicles. The snow banks kept us from going too far into the wilds.

Descending into the valley again, we saw huge plumes of steam rising into the clouds. We had followed, up and down this mad road, a large grey pipe that snaked and turned over the stones, occasionally dipping underground. We discovered the source - A massive hot springs that supplies all of the hot water for the city of Reykjavik. All the showers, dishwashing, even radiator heating in the city is supplied by this pipe!

Also, we stopped and had a bite and some beers at Ion Hotel. The food was great and the view was amazing from their lounge! Staying there might be a bit rich for many folks, but it's worthwhile to enjoy a cocktail!

We continued around the lake, the clouds rising and falling. The landscape is rolling fields of lava rock, and small pastures and fields, punctuated by steep sloped berms of old flows eroding. This early in the spring it's covered in the otherworldly green moss, and the tough grasses and willows in pale yellow and rust red.

We then came to the space between worlds - Thingviller itself! A river meanders across the broad rift valley and heads for the old church, and the lake beyond. Within an impressive canyon, created by the splitting of the rock instead of the passage of water, a creek flows and then falls to the valley floor. This place was historically the site of the Althing, or great meeting.

The icelanders began meeting in this area in 930 and it grew to be a very important spot. There was adequate water and forage in the area for the horses of all the visitors, and space for tents as well. It was somewhat central to the most settled parts of the island as well. But the most important, and impressive feature is the natural amphitheater that allows one to speak to a large crowd without amplification.

From August 2012, notice how much greener it was!

The purpose of an this Althing, was to elect a lawspeaker. That lawspeaker would be someone respected in the community and trusted by the folks there. They would then recite the laws that everyone was to follow for the following year. Thus, if a change was needed in this law code it would be made.

So this, the oldest parliament in the world, was the site of the only peaceable conversion of a nation in Europe.  In 1000 , after much stirring up and agitation by Norwegian representatives, it was decided that the nation would all convert to Christianity. The reasoning was that it was impractical and unfair to have two sets of laws governing those of different religions. However, many old practices that were taboo to Christians were allowed to continue in order to ease the transition. This allowed for considerable tradition and folklore to survive long enough to be recorded. And, of course, there were some holdouts who resisted the change, moved to the Westfjords, and continued to practice the old ways...

From August 2012, notice how much greener it was!