National park, Reykavik, and farewells

"After our fairly quiet day on Friday, we were all ready to go to the National Park (Pingvellin).    We tried to drive on different roads for each trip so we saw a lot of the beautiful countryside.    There are waterfalls everywhere.   We saw lots of sheep, cows, and horses.  Also lots of gulls and some other birds.  We also saw all kinds of weather.  Sunny skies, rain, wind, warmth, coolness.    We all had layers of clothes in the car for all the changes.

On the way to the Park, we stopped at a volcano crater that was filled with gorgeous blue water. Then we arrived at Pingvellin.   It was the first NP in Iceland and modeled after NP's in the US.   We parked a visited the visitor center where there were some interesting historical displays.   This park is on the rift between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.   The actual rift is in full view, and there is a great walk down through the rift.   We saw the site of the first democratic parliament in about 900 AD.   The site has since moved to Reykavik.  

At the end of the rift walk, there was a surprising waterfall where we stopped to play and sit for a while.  

 We had another great dinner and late evening.

Have I mentioned that even though there is an official sunset and sunrise, it never got dark!!!!  This was good and bad.   It was easy to stay up late, and a little hard to get to sleep!  

The next day we headed to Reykavik for a nice day exploring.  I met Dyrleif who returned my toiletries that I left at her lovely apartment.  It was a treat to meet her and ask her a few questions.   Then we stopped for an early drink.   We had a late lunch at the Volcano House and then some more exploring and shopping.   We found a nice bakery later and had dessert and a birthday celebration for Opal.  She is a sweet, smart, energetic little girl who handled all of us and the traveling so well!  Happy Birthday, Opal!