From A Day of Natural Wonders by AK Andy

Want to be dazzled by natural wonders in an unforgettable country that’s not overcrowded with tourists? Then Iceland might be just your cup of tea. Two sisters from Anchorage, AK Andy, have been touring Iceland by rental car for the past couple of weeks, and have been enjoying this magical land’s abundant waterfalls, geysers, national parks, and wildlife. At the Golden Circle (Iceland’s top three attractions), they exploded the myth that the Strokkur geyser only goes off every ten minutes - in fact, they say, it bursts into action every five! AK Andy got pleasantly soaked walking behind the gushing waters of the Seljalandsfoss waterfall (see a great photo here), and learned about Icelandic history at the Folk Museum in the charming town of Skogar.

Here’s an excerpt from their journal, “Horses and Whales, Oh My” about, you guessed, it, their experience with horses and whales:

“We are staying at Myvatn and we have now done our two activity goals in Iceland - we rode horses and went whale watching! Both were very exciting and fun, the horse riding especially because we just went out with this old man all by ourselves and he even taught us how to trot our horses (which they call tolt over here, I believe). He said that Icelandic horses have five different speeds. They are also shorter than other horses and I thought they were very nice. Mine was slow (just the way I like it) and Jubie’s liked to stop to eat. The views of the lake as we rode were amazing…” (more…)

AK Andy have written colorful, delightful journals about their adventures in Iceland, so check them out. Also, keep your eye on these new RealTravelers– London and San Francisco are up next!

In the meantime, enjoy these helpful sites about Iceland:
Visit Iceland
Iceland Tourist Board
The Golden Circle

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From Crater Lake, America’s Blue Hole by The Hallgrens

I went on my first travel adventure when I was eighteen– my first trip without my family around to look after me, or to tell me what to do. I hopped in my friend’s beat up 1970 Ford Maverick with nothing but a backpack of essentials and a belly full of excitement. Destination: the Oregon Coast. Growing up landlocked, this would be the first time I ever saw the ocean. I remember gazing out at that endless expanse of clear blue and realizing for the first time how enormous the world is. I felt humbled, smaller, but in a way that made me feel more connected to everything and everyone than ever before.

My fond memories of Oregon were rekindled when I read The Hallgrens journal about their trip to Crater Lake National Park. This is a sublimely gorgeous place that will take you outside of yourself as you stand in awe at nature’s enlightened aesthetic. The Hallgrens write of Crater Lake:

“Here’s what the rangers think: in an epic scale eruption 7700 years ago, Mt Mazama collapsed on itself, creating a large caldera that would eventually fill with rain and snowmelt. Here’s what I think: that’s sure a blue lake; a deep cobalt blue lake in which pictures do not truly depict the awesome color.” (more…)

Always carrying, along with their backpacks, a fine sense of humor, the Hallgrens pontificate on the origin of the name Wizard Island:

“Towards the western end of the 1900 foot hole, sits Wizard Island. The island was named for several wizards that controlled the island in the early 1970’s, but were expelled by the US Govt after they predicted that gas prices would exceed $3 dollars a gallon in 2006. Actually, we were told that is was named after the resemblance of a sorcerer’s hat.” (more…)

I highly recommend a visit to the beautiful state of Oregon—especially its breathtaking coast and the crystal blue waters of Crater Lake. Visitors may enjoy boat tours, camping, hiking and climbing at this spectacular natural wonder.

Here are some more great links to help you plan:
Crater Lake National Park
Travel Oregon

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