Skogafoss

There are LOTS of waterfalls in Iceland, this one is Skogafoss on the southern coast.  The waterfalls we saw today were easy to photograph with the sun behind and illuminating everything nicely.  This one was even kind enough to show a double rainbow.  The white spider web like material on the walls is ice

Geyser

Did you know that geyser is an Icelandic word?  This one is just starting it's eruption and is right next to the original (spelled geysir) that gave the world this word.

Gullfoss

The lower part of the Gullfoss (Golden Falls) as seen down the valley cut.  Geologists believe it was cut in one catastrophic event when a glacial lake burst.

The new symphony hall as seen from the harbor.

Minke Whale

Not a very good picture, but still a picture.  As seems to be almost always the case, I didn't have the right lens with me but the conditions weren't great anyway.

Another Reykjavik Church

This is the Catholic Church....  Iceland went through a forced and violent change to Lutheranism during the reformation at the decree of the King of Denmark.

Hallgrimskirkja

The largest church in Iceland has has a facade that resembles basalt columns.  It is plain on the inside and lacks stained glass or adornment.  There is a famous organ that is used frequently in services and for concerts.  According to our guide, the Icelandic people are not particularly religous and I didn't see as many churches there as in other parts of Europe.  There are more in the countryside, but again according to our guide, they were built because the builder could levy fees from them.

The statue out front is Leifur Eriksson, first European to land in the Americas.  He beat Columbus by almost 500 years.

Dragon Cafe, Reykjavik

Two cool dudes enjoying a cigarette (cough, cough...)

The Tulips are Blooming

The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival was last weekend.  This is the home of the largest tulip grower in the United States, family owned and descendants of immigrants from Holland.

Spring at Last

Today it is cool and rainy but last week on the UW campus it was all about the Cherry Trees. Note "The Mountain" in the background.

 

In West Seattle the Cherry, Camelia, and Magnolia are blooming