August 3, 1999
After we rode down from the Jökuldalsheiði we stopped at Möðrudalur, which is a church, a farm and a snack bar. Andy treated us to coffee and a kleifur (Icelandic donut). Meanwhile, a horse tryed to eat Andy's helmet, but some other tourists saved it, after videotaping the episode. We lunched at the single lane suspension bridge ofver the Jökulsá á fjöllum. The road was still being repaired from the jokullaup that had happened a day or two before. It must have been an impressive flood as it had risen 4 meters to flow over the road. (At this time we still didn't know the cause of the high water). We opted for continuing on 40 km more to Reykalið, where I planned to take 2 full days off from riding. The rest of the ride was through a vast lava field. At Námafjell, a scenic and smelly (sulfur) thermal area the road climbed steeply on last time before diving down into Reykalið. There's 3 campgrounds there, and we went for the one under the airport (just barely under) as it had fewer midges being a bit farther from the lake. 450 Ikr per night, with free showers. Hotdogs and tortellini for dinner.August 4, 1999
After musli and french toast Jo and Andy took the bus trip to Dettifoss. I hiked north along and across the Krafla lava fields to Krafla, itself. The old lava is 250 years old and now discolored with age and lichen. The new lava is jagged and dark and makes clinking noises when you walk on it. On the Leirhjutan ridge (right) there is a great view. Steam is still rising from the ground and there are some hot pools and mud pots.I saw 12 ptarmigan (rjupe) on the lava field while hiking.
Reykalið (pop. 600), the town on the north shore of Myvatn. The Krafla eruption
in the 1729 flowed all the way to the lake destroying everything
except the church.
The new dark lava comes for the 1975-1984 eruptions.
