Fiction, Essays, and Other Things

  Sadly overlooked by those dividing Iceland as a land of mountains and rivers and one city is the charming town of Selfoss in the southern part of the country. With a population of only 10,000 Selfoss nonetheless is a vibrant little place with all the interests and picturesque pleasantries of a small coastal town. Indeed, Selfoss makes one of the strongest cases I’ve yet seen for the lush haunting beauty of gray skies and wind chill. Located some thirty minutes from the cabin where I spent two nights of my travels, Selfoss was the closest stop for gas and provisions. Almost upon arrival I became aware of how deeply te town embraces the spirit of Halloween. My first stop was Almar Bakari, a vintage style bakery with the usual coffee and pastry offerings. Their display cases containing cinnamon rolls, cakes and cookies were lined with artificial autumnal leaves and a grinning jack-o-lantern. For my money, the ham and cheese croissants were among the best I’ve tried but their baker...

  A drive around Iceland’s Golden Circle brings a traveler to three of the world’s most beautiful natural sights. But getting to it and through it is why visitors must rent a car in Iceland if they plan to travel outside of Reykjavik. Driving in Iceland, especially outside of towns can be intimidating as the further out of civilization one goes the rougher the roads become. The weather can often be brutal and punishing and the cost of gas is nothing to laugh at. For instance, filling up from a half tank cost me over $80 and just over $60 for a tank three quarters of the way full. If you are going to visit Iceland, however, do what it takes and what it costs to see its unique natural beauty. Iceland is a testament to the power of raw nature left to its own devices, creating for itself a beauty that no landscaper could ever hope to duplicate. It is nature at its most awesome and at its least forgiving; a sight to behold. It did not take long for nature to start taking over the la...