Well summer is Over.

That is right kids we are moving into the fall and back into the school season. The summer for me ahs been great. As some know I spent part of the summer doing a study abroad in Denmark and Norway. This was a great experience. The other part of my summer has been doing research and submitting my business plan for a seven acre farm.

Waiting to hear from the bank and ready to send proposal to the developers. Now it is back to thesis work.

So back to writing today. Whoopeee....

Almost August 1

Well summer is almost over already.

Whats been going since I arrived back from my study abroad.

Well I have read two books now regarding some of the ins and outs that I may not have been aware of in starting and running a small market farm.

Finished one book regarding my thesis. I am having to extend the end date of my thesis because I have to get this business plan and proposal done by Sept.

For those that do not know I am pursuing 7 acres of farm land that a developer has set aside for a market farm. We shall see what happens.

A picture of the fjord and the islands as the ferry was coming into Olso.

 Sunset at 11:30pm. Once set it creates a nice glow on the horizon till when it comes back up at 2:30am.

The group is all ready to get on board the overnioght ferry and head to Oslo.

Gosh I wish I would have known about this feature with Picasa earlier. Makes sharing and blogging a whole lot wasier. This was a picture of one of our first meals in Copenhaven.

The famous elephants at Carlsberg Brewery. I forgot to get a picture of me tasting some but a neat little self guided tour and than a couple pints of beer. It was a good break after a couple mile walk.

This is an entrance to Tivoli. The playground of fun in Copenhagen.

Had to stop a get this picture of this Blue Heron. This was taken at the Fredericksburg Have (Gardens).

Busted....

I know I know I owe you all so much information. There is so much that I try to pack in every day. I can't update tonight but I will soon  I promise.  This has been a great city a an excellent experience.

Here is a picture of the Opera House in Copenhagen. One of many pictures I have to share.

Okay This is Going to a Long Post....

Well how should I approach the last few days.

Today is the 15th I need to catch you all up.

Okay I think that we all need to "Go Back to the Future" a few days.

June 9th
After taking the Amtrak to NYC and a car service to JFK  I arrived in Reykjavik, Iceland late in the evening and arrived at the Hostel around 1 am. Did not sleep all that great since the three other people in the room were asleep and I did not want to wake them. So I got settled enough to get a couple of hours of sleep and than I had to get up for a very long day.

June 10th
I started a very long day today. The excursion company I went with had a 3 in 1 tour package. We started the day with the Saga Tour. Saga's in iceland are a big thing. It is there written history. These saga's are journals/writings of there than clergy/land owners of the 100's. Some interestin stuff. This first tour took us by the Hvalfjorour Fjord (Whale Fjord) and the Whaling Station there.

Next stop was an interesting museum with an on going exhibit on the history of Iceland and where the settlers settled and who won and died. We than drove on to Reykholt and visited the Snorrstofa museum. This was a museum centered around one of the saga writers, Sorris.

Last stop on this first tour was a geothermal area, Deildartunguhver. This geothermal area was harvested for just its hot water. This hot water is than sent to Reykjavik where it is used to heat the buildings and the hot water.

This is where we had a changed of individuals in the van and we continued on to the Highland Road Tour. We first visisted the waaterfall Barnafoos/Hraunfossar. This is a waterfall where a portion of the water from the river flows over a conventional waterfall and the other waterfall is one where the wate from the river somewhere up stream flows underneath a lava formation known as pillow lava and comes out back into the river in a set of spring/falls.

From here we continued up into the highlands. Here is where you see another Iceland. Cold, barren with little or no vegetation to cut the wind. This is where we hicked up to a glacier in a misty sleet storm. I took a picture but you can barily recognize the difference between the clouds and the snow of the glacier. We hurried back to the car and continued on to the Pingveller National Park.

At this National park the location of Icelands first fomr of government started, The One Body. Interesting and it worked for a very long time. This is where we made a final switch to the last tour.

The Golden Circle Tour continued on through the lower countryside of Iceland. This tour we stopped at the Gelfoss Falls and had dinner, than we continued on to the geothermal area where Geysir (the geysir that named all others) and strokkur are located. I was able to take some great video of the geysire going off.

Than it was a final drive back to Reykjavik. Long day.......

June 11th

This day started with a tour of Reykjavik. We first stopped at the harbor and tried to see the local fish market. To late in the morning already. Icelands GDP is supported by 30% fishing. Than we headed out to Bessastaoir. the presidential residence. Than we drove through the area known as Hafnarfjorour where the "hidden people" live.

Next we take a stop and the restuarant Perlan which is in the "Pearl". The pearl is a struture where they store all the hot water that has been harvested from the geothermal areas. These insulated tanks are than topped with a dome and have an enclosed interior area. some great overlloks of the city can bee seen from atop the viewing platform.

We stopped and visited the Hofoi house.

Last stop on the tour was up to the Hallgrimskirkja church. Very cool church.

After heading back to the office I grabbed a bus out to the Blue Lagoon for some realxation. This attraction for both locals and tourist alike is a geothermal area where the silcas from the geothermal and the ocean water create an effect changing the color of the water to an electric blue. The silcas are supposed to be good for your skin. Thus, I put on a white mask of it and enjoyed a few hours.

Last stop of the day was a tour to the local brewer. Ws a great time. Was able to try some mead and local flavor and learn some intereting hitory of their drinking.

Well those were my tours on the 12 I headed out to Copehagen early in the morning (4:30) and this was after a night of hanging out with people I had met at the hostel. Had a great time.

Now on to studies. Copehagen here I come.

All photos of Iceland can be viewed here -  Iceland

Well maybe I can get you all caught up today.

I made it fine and Iceland was a blast but I have not had an internet connection all weekend. Rather frustrating since I have readings, this to update and other things to keep on top of.

I am off to IT now to find out the reason.

Wish me luck and than you all will get pictures and descriptions of all that has been going on.

T

Reykjavik

Well it has been a whirl-wind couple dasy so far. I arrived on Thur morning at 1300. I than left on Thur. at 730 for a 16 hr tour of Iceland. I have some great photos to share. And much to write about but I am off for the day touring the city and intaking as much as I can.

Tomorrow I am than off to Copenhagen. So I may post tonight or Tommorrow evening.

Hang in there everyone more to come.

Count Down Has Begun

Well it is Monday night. One more intense day of getting everything ready for my departure on Wednesday.

Still have all my packing to do. Laundry is done so that is one less worry. Garden is as ready as it is going to get. Lastly the dogs have a couple walkers if needed.

This is intense. I am not nervous just wnat to be prepared. I have to gather what I think is necessary to be able to write on my thesis while I am away. Can't bring to many books and have to chose which ones I want to read. sigh...

Have  afew more things to do tonight before I hit the hay...

A week away.

Well let the major count down begin.

I am very excited to be heading abroad for the month of June to participate in a Study Abroad Program with my University. I will be traveling to Denmark and Norway. I worked a few days in before I leave to visit Iceland.

So many things to see and do. Going to be an exciting time. I am even looking at maybe traveling to Germany to visit the town where the main roots of the family began.

In the mean time still much to do. Writing my thesis and making sure everything is ready for my man while I am gone. So much fun!  :)~  Not really.

Welcome!

I think it is appropriate to start out an open letter, such that a blog is, with a statement of welcome.

I have for the past few years been following many blogs from individuals and companies. I share what I find interesting with friends and colleagues. It has been a great time for me and I hope for them too.

I have been toying around a long time with starting a blog to create an additional avenue to share. Thus, with traveling abroad this summer for a Study Abroad Program with my university I figured what better time to start than now.

Enjoy.