Parental Vacation: Víðgelmir, Húsafell & Krauma

2021-07-19Friends, Traveling, Us Standard

[Photos taken 19 – 20 July 2021, posted online 30 October 2021. Pumpkins appear to be sold out in Iceland, might have to carve out watermelons this year!]

Our good friends, Adda and Halli, had a treasure trove of gift cards that were either expired or about to expire (but all still magically valid because of Covid-19) that all centered around the area of Húsafell. They asked if we’d be their (adults only) travel partners, and, after securing a sleepover for Emma, we said yes!

That Monday I hitched a ride with them to Húsafell, where we met Finnur, who’d packed up house #2. We drove over to the cave site of Víðgelmir, went on a cave walk, drove back to Húsafell, checked into the hotel proper, enjoyed the ridiculously good weather playing Rummikub on the patio, before eating dinner at the hotel restaurant.

Afterwards, I was so stuffed I desperately needed to move, so I went on an evening walk around the area in the gorgeous evening sun, while the others chatted and chilled.

The next day we drove towards the hot tub spa of Krauma, stopping on the way by the pretty lava-side waterfalls (Hraunfossar/Barnafossar). At Krauma we hung out in the hot tubs, and then ate a late lunch before driving back to civilization and parental responsibilities. (70-ish images total)

Monday 19 July 2021

Looking up at the opening of Víðgelmir cave, while descending into it.
A little earlier in the day, I had located Anna at work, as she had forgotten her lunchbox at home. Her crew had been tasked with weeding the center dividers of this road which were overrun with dandelions.
By 1 pm we were at Hótel Húsafell, rendezvousing with Finnur. The hotel is built into the hill, with the rooms on the upper level, and views on the other side.
The drive to Víðgelmir took about 16 minutes. You can see Barnafossar there on the way back (lower left corner).
Joining our group, outfitted with hard-hats and headlamps, by the reception office of Víðgelmir.
And off we walked!
It was a sizeable group, and we were the only natives, aside from the owner’s son who was evaluating the guide, who’d only been on the job for a week. This is basically a thousand year old lava field.
We came to a hole in the ground… where the ceiling collapsed on a big lava tube, also a long time ago.
The other side of the hole.
Our guide, going over a few last things. She told us she was a geology student from the UK (Bristol?) and later on the owner’s son told us they prefer hiring geology students, and turning them into actors/presenters rather than hiring actors and trying to teach them geology!
Down, down we went.
It was quite chilly down there. Apparently the cave had been closed off due to an ice blockage for quite some time. There is evidence of human habitation on a ledge near the mouth of the cave.
Lots of interesting colors!
Onwards we went. Occasionally our guide would climb over the fence and give a talk off to the side, explaining various features. Apparently this whole tunnel was once a lava-tube, where lava flowed freely, and then the lava suddenly stopped running, and left the empty tunnel behind.
Thankfully, nothing fell on our heads!
The various levels of the lava-river are still visible on the walls.
The tunnels are coated with a rather thin layer of… something that I can no longer remember.
So. Many. Colors!
At the deep end, looking at the wrong phone (that phone took lousy photos). I think the tunnel takes a turn downwards there, and is collapsed.
The four amigos. After taking the photos, our guide told us a tall (fairy) tale, then we turned all the lights off for a minute or two (only a slight glimmer of one of the tunnel lights a bit back was visible), which was cool.
Trudging back took very little time, as there was no stopping on the way.
Happy after a fun tour!
Back on the surface.
Reading up on the cave.
The sign. Then we drove back to the hotel to check in.
Halli posing in the hotel lobby.
The view from the lobby is quite fine.
Like, really fine!
Our room.
Squinting in the sun while playing rummikub on the patio.
Such a classic!
It was almost too hot to sit outside in the sun!
Adda bumped into friends in the restaurant. The food was excellent!
Back on the patio after dinner.
Feeling stuffed to the gills, I needed to move, and took this photo to have as a reference for walking around the area.
Walking away from the hotel.
A small water-generator-station, I think.
I decided to walk along the river, towards the setting sun.
Adorable sculptures.
More cuteness. That whole area is full of summer houses.
I crossed paths with the golf course. Golf course grass is weird.
Mayby one day I’ll try hiking up there…
My first time walking along an air-field. Yup, that’s for airplanes!
More harnessing of hydro-power.
A mirrored selfie.
Pieces of a house, sitting along the air-strip.
My turn-around point.
Note to self on next middle of the road image: place the camera lower down, and closer to a white line.
All the water made me need to pee. Time to hurry back!
Ahhh, relief in sight! This was at 9:40 pm. Evening, what evening?

Tuesday 20 July 2021

Checkout was at 11 am the following morning. Our friends made it outside before we did.
We’d made an appointment at Krauma, and we were a little early, so we stopped by Hraunfossar/Barnafoss (Lavafalls, Children-falls). (Turned out Krauma wasn’t busy at all, so we could have arrived at any time really).
The water comes out of the lava walls, it’s really pretty.
A little further inland, looking back.
Further inland there is a bridge over the river.
Not a place to be scared of heights.
Looking downriver from the bridge. That river is powerful.
Looking upriver, where people are checking out Barnafoss (Children-falls).
Up on the ridge, looking downstream to the lava-falls.
Lava-ropes, aka wifi signals, showing which way the lava was moving.
Stubborn plants being stubborn.
Pretty colors.
I liked the little sign.
By Barnafoss (Children-falls). It has a sad history.
Animated gif of the innermost area.
About a 20 minute drive later, we arrived at Krauma. The quite powerful Deildartunguhver hot spring was mostly fenced off, as the utilities company was doing some work in the area.
In front of the Krauma site. It’s a collection of hot tubs, a relaxation room, and a restaurant.
A long soak later (and meeting an old friend!) we sat down in the restaurant for a late lunch.
A passing tourist took a group photo of us by the funky art outside.
The pool area is sort of open, if you don’t mind splashing through the entry moat.
Taking a peek at the hot spring.
Bubbles galore! With that we got into our cars, and drove back to civilization and parental responsibilities!