Cabin Weekend in the Mountains

Two weekends ago we packed up and headed to a place called Vopnafjordur (not spelt correctly cuz we don't have the accents on our computer) Unnar's family built a cabin just outside this small town. There are two ways to get there. The way that is a bit shorter requires driving over a mountain. The weather had been good up until we left, although it had snowed on and off for about 2 days the week before, and the mountain peaks were still covered with snow. We took the mountain road and it was beautiful and an adventure too. The first 8 pictures are just as we began to drive up the mountain. There was a place to pull over, to get out and look. At this point we had kind of lost our friends who we were following, so another good reason to pull over...heh heh. Isaac had to go to the bathroom shortly into the trip, but there was no where to go except the side of the road. We pulled over briefly. Alda & Unnar kept driving on ahead, but said they would go at a slow pace. Keep in mind we did have Unnar's cell, but didn't know Alda's number and had no idea how to get the key pad lock off to call...so really couldn't call out, but at least we could answer the phone. So we kept driving and driving and driving and could not see Alda & Unnar anywhere. Finally once we reached the bottom of the mountain we were to drive over we figured we must have passed them some how. They called just as we pulled over. They had pulled off the road for a few minutes to see some old cars, so we must have passed them then. As we waited for them to catch up, I was anxious to get out of the car and take some pictures. A.J. laughed at me because I had no idea how windy it was outside. After a few short minutes of convincing he got out and took some pictures. I was grateful cuz when he opened the door I was instantly cold. Once he was back in he told me I would have blown off the mountain side. I think I would have. No guard rails to hang on to and I was still adjusting to just being on the passenger side of looking down the side of the mountain. I'm so from Manitoba!

We tried waking Isaac up mainly because we didn't want him sleeping too long and then wake up at 5:30 am which he does. So we all got really excited and told him he had to wake up because we were on a mountain looking out at the ocean. Didn't really work. So then we started telling him there are sharks and whales and fish...and then he opened his eyes. But only long enough to take a quick peak and then to say "I just want to sleep not look at the ocean".Once we were all back together, we started the climb up the mountain. Within a short time we realized it was quite slick on the roads, and were having difficulties with traction. Soon we stopped because we were going going backwards and could get no traction at all. Alda & Unnar turned around, and came to help. As we watched them turn we realized how slippery it really was. A.J. and Unnar switched cars since Unnar's Rav 4 was doing better then our car. Took a few tries but soon we were off and at the top of the mountain. A.J. and Unnar switched back and we began the drive down the mountain going very slow because the road was covered with snow and ice. The next few pictures are of the drive down, and a few looking back on the road we took. We were all grateful to be on the other side and almost at the cabin.
We stopped briefly to see a waterfall. I can't remember the name of it right now...but it was beautiful, and powerful to see. It also was super windy and cold so we ran down the hill to see it and turned around right away to run back...well Alda, David, Isaac, and I did.

The cabin...Here's Alda unloading the cars. This is the last picture of our weekend because our camera battery died!
We enjoyed every minute of our time spent with Alda & Unnar, and David. We shared many great meals and conversations together, as well as lot's of tackling, wrestling, kicking the ball, playing board games with the boys. Although the boys all time favorite was Unnar lifting them up to hang from the rafters (wood support beams of the roof) they (Elliot too) would dangle for a few seconds and then drop into the couch beneath them. Unnar definitely got an arm workout. Saturday we headed to an outdoor "pool cellar", no one is working their during the fall months so you swim at your own risk. We had a great time, Isaac even jumped into A.J.'s arms in the deep end. Elliot again reminded us of his no fear of the water, deciding to jump around in the hot tub without warning. By the end of our swim I was the only one who did no venture into the main pool...too cold! Those who know me well will not be the least bit surprised by this. We then drove through the town, picked up some food for Icelandic pancakes. Our first time trying them. They were fabulous, but mostly because Alda made them. She's a great cook. By the end we all felt relaxed and rested and ready for the journey back to Eyjolfsstaðir, but took the other way home.