We spent a full day exploring the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in the western part of Iceland. Since it’s a bit farther from the Ring Road, it has less traffic and is generally a bit more empty.

These are a few pictures from our hike from Hellnar to Arnarstapi and back.

In Arnarstapi we stopped for hot coffee–it was pretty cold out, low 40s and rainy and windy–and skyr yogurt with honey.

Later in the evening, we also hiked out to two basalt rock pillars called Londrangar. Here’s Garett next to one of the two. Look at all that crazy moss!

And some pictures from stops along the drive.

The sun really never sets here, just kind of approaches the horizon.

At the Grábók Crater, created 2000-3000 years ago by volcanic eruption.

Here’s the Icelandic Cat of the Day. We don’t know her name, but she was one of the resident cats at the farm we stayed at last night. She was very sweet with a crooked tail. We stayed in the “Gandalf” room.

Just so you can get an idea of where we spend our days, here’s a picture of GNU, our car. She isn’t the best car, really. Her parking brake only works about 1 out of 5 times, so we can’t park her on an incline and always have to make sure to turn her wheels just in case. When we got her, the check engine light was on; after inquiring at the desk, they told us not to worry as long as it didn’t turn red. She’s also about 1000 km overdue for an oil change. We are hoping she makes it.