Off to Iceland

Saturday night Iko and I went to dinner at a nearby restaurant (Girardi's) to celebrate our 57th anniversary. We caught the end of a beautiful sunset as we walked out of our condo. 

Sunday morning I headed for Iceland to see the northern lights (hopefully) and play tourist in a country I've never visited before. 

It was a foggy morning in Edmonds as the Lyft driver pulled into our driveway. 

At the new light rail station at Northgate, I alighted in even heavier fog and checked out the new station. 

It is well designed and clean. Of course, it's still new. There Russ and I met, I tapped my Orca Card and we pulled out southbound about 1010, entering the tunnel just south of Northgate.

The new pedestrian bridge over I-5 was busy even on a Sunday. 

The train cars were clean and there were more and more riders as we stopped at stations through the tunnel. 

We finally emerged from the tunnel near the King Street Station in the International District, went through another much shorter tunnel under Beacon Hill and at the 17th station we got off at SeaTac. It took us almost exactly an hour to get from Northgate to SeaTac, but it was a comfortable ride with no traffic hassles. 

After checking in at Icelandair, we cleared TSA, hung out at the the south satellite for awhile, and boarded a half-empty 737 Max. As we climbed out of the foggy soup on our great circle route, I snapped this picture of the Mountain. 

After an uneventful overnight flight, we touched down right on time about 0650 Monday (1/24/22) morning. There are four of us on this trip, Russ, Sy, Aaron and myself. 

The Keflavik airport was built by the US military in 1943, during WWII. The new terminal was built in 1987 and is modern and clean. On the way to baggage claim is a large duty free store. This is one of those few countries where you can shop in the duty free store both coming and going. 

We claimed our baggage, picked up the rental car and drove to our hotel in Reykjavik, about 45 minutes over well lighted, bare but wet roads.

The clerk kindly let us check in way early. What a nice surprise.  We took our baggage to the rooms and assembled in the lobby under the watchful gaze of a two-story bookcase.

After deciding to walk around, we selected a nearby restaurant where we were provided substantial breakfasts for around $25 each. 

As we went back outside to do some exploring, it was still half dark at 1000. The camera automatically adjusted for the best exposure, so it looks lighter.

Someone said the sidewalks in the downtown area have warm water running under them so they are pretty much ice free. 

We decided to visit the Northern Lights Center while adjusting to the time change, so walked a mile or so through town. On the way there were government buildings.

Also admired this beautiful mosaic on the side of a downtown building. 

At the Northern Lights Center there was simulator where I took this photo. Tomorrow night we will go searching for the real thing. Wish us luck because if it's cloudy we won't be able to see the displays even if they're in full bloom. 

Back at the hotel (with the hotel wifi) I updated this blog entry and will post another tomorrow. 

Now for a short nap before dinner. As I get older the jet lag seems more difficult to overcome.