Our flights were relatively uneventful. The plan was less than wonderful since it left us at JFK with all our luggage from about 11 AM until 4:30 PM. Because we had booked Delta separately from Iceland Air They would not check our luggage through. Once we picked up our bags at Delta Baggage Claim we were out of Security and had to wait for Icelandic to open check in to get back to “airside”. There are no reasonable options for food or comfort at any of the terminals before clearing security. As we stared at Dunkin’ having had breakfast at Dunkin’ in Rochester I remembered that the Saarinen TWA terminal had been salvaged and made over into a hotel which certainly would have food options. BINGO! in addition to a highly regarded restaurant (pricey in any event) there is a food court with tables and chairs that used to sit on our Sandringham patio after serving as our dinner set on Warder Dr. The food was reasonable and the comfortable lounge looking out the window at the Super Constellation that has been parked there made for a pleasant waiting area. I will admit that the third recycle of the 50’s and 60’s music at high volume eventually became overwhelming. 

We arrived at the Reykjavik Airport about on time and were picked up by an OAT guide (not ours) for transfer to  to the Selfoss Hotel where we met the early arrivals and those who had arrived with us. By 5 PM we had our entire party – minus one couple – for the usual OAT greeting and plan for the 13 days and the next day. 

Day 2 we visited two water falls, one of which those of us who were willing and able got to walk behind.

From there we had lunch and a bit of shopping in preparation for a hike to a glacier. We were prepared for rain, we thought, and we understood there would be some wind, this being Iceland. We were not prepared for 20 mile per hour winds with rain and at one point hail. I have no pictures. We crossed the front of the glacier headed for the toe over glacial sand and water flows bridged by plank bridges seemingly moved into place for our trek. It was only 15 minutes to our destination and another 15 minutes returning with maybe 10 minutes staring at the huge wall of the glacier itself. I have no pictures, my gloves were wet through as were my pants and water resistant shoes. Somehow the old rain jacket I was wearing over a warm comfortable water resistant jacket staved off the worst of the water. on my chest and arms. I do have a picture of the “Super Jeep” Really a highly modified Sprinter capable of carrying our entire party of 15 plus guide over the glacier itself.

Day Three is coming up soon. We are moving North and West from Selfoss.