It’s Never too Late for Your Dream to Come True

About 36 years ago, I was looking into the possibility of a trip to Iceland.  I had bought the only travel book I could find (Amazon was not yet).  It cost me $22.  The book was tiny, had no photos and wasn’t that detailed, despite the fact it came in an impressive cardboard sleeve (see photo).  I’m not sure why Iceland intrigued me so much at the time, other than it was a place to which people ususally didn’t go and was spectacularly beautiful (which meant there were lots of great photo opportunities).  Soon thereafter I met Mary Jo.  Life happened (in a good way, to be sure), and the book was literally shelved.

I would think about Iceland from time to time over the years that followed but didn’t consider planning a trip, for obvious reasons.  In the last few years, however. I would get excited when anyone mentioned they (or someone they knew) had just visited Iceland or was planning a trip there.  I started to say, "It's on my bucket list!".  Now, it’s a reality....I'M FINALLY GOING TO ICELAND!

Why now?  Well, first because I am now retired and have the opportunity to take this once in a lifetime trip (THANKS Mary Jo!!!!).  Second, while I have been interested in photography all of my adult life (actually since I was about 16), I have become more passionate about my hobby in the last 10 years and in particular the last year or so since moving to digital (I know, what took me so long?).  Thirdly, and most disturbingly, tourism in Iceland has increased exponentially over the past couple decades.  The number of tourists by the end of 2017 was projected to be over 2 million, nearly seven times the population of the small island.  Not only does this mean that there are simply lots and lots of people around (including other photographers)...sometimes in the way of that crucial shot you want to take...but also that the delicate Icelandic environment is being negatively affected by the often (though not always) innocent tourists.  As a result, slowly but surely access to some scenic areas is being restricted, and there are more and more laws being enacted that limit where (and when) you can go, where you can camp, etc.  Some of the increased tourism is simply due to greater interest as a result of the internet and social media, as well as greater access to Iceland (airfare fares are cheap!), but it is also to a large extent due to a fanatic obsession with the series Game of Thrones...yes, you heard me!  So, as a result, I want to get there before it gets any worse!!

There we go, my first blog entry!  Before I actually get to Iceland -- at the end of May, by the way -- I will provide some more details about the planning of the trip and what I want to do, including how I intend to get around (can you say "campervan"?).  Then when I actually arrive, I will try very hard to post daily updates...with photos!  Iceland has a great wireless network, and I am planning to have a wireless router with me so I will be able to go on line after each day's photographic adventure.  But, no promises as you never know what each day will bring.

Until then, bestu óskir (Icelandic for "best wishes").