Summer

Ezequiel Vazquez, left, Sergio Vazquez, 13, center, and Alina Vazquez, 8, right, ride horses near S. 23rd St. and i St. following the Cinco de Mayo Omaha Parade on Saturday, May 7, 2016 in Omaha. Dancers, organizations, politicians and other groups marched down 24th St. in South Omaha.

Samantha Contreras lays in her dress before the Cinco de Mayo Pageant on May 6, 2016 in South Omaha. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Arizona players play hot potato during a rain delay before the Oklahoma State vs. Arizona baseball game on Monday, June 20, 2016 at TD Ameritrade Park at the College World Series in Omaha. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Introductions begin on Monday, June 27, 2016 during the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Marianne Smejkal places her hand over her heart before the National Anthem during the Ralston's Independence Day parade on Monday, July  4, 2016 in Ralston. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Laurel Feller of FlightMotion Studios performs during the "Under The Big Top" post prom party on Sunday, April 10, 2016 at Millard South High School in Millard. The event included inflatable activities, food, aerialists and elaborate decorations. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Kayla Taormina, left, and Julia Hakes, right, pose for a friend to take a photo during the "Under The Big Top" post prom party on Sunday, April 10, 2016 at Millard South High School in Millard. The event included inflatable activities, food, aerialists and elaborate decorations. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Elkhorn South's Michael Xiques (31) runs in a touchdown during the 7x7 State Championship football tournament on Thursday, June 23, 2016 at Bellevue West High School in Bellevue. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

People walk through the concourse during the TCU vs. Coastal Carolina baseball game at the College World Series on Friday, June 24, 2016 at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Millard West's Mallory Broady (20) adjusts her sock during the Millard North vs. Millard West Metro Girls Soccer semi-finals on Friday, April 8, 2016 at Bergquist Stadium in Omaha.  SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Omaha Central's Hayden Hill (17), left, makes a catch over North Platte's Kaden Langemeier (6), right, during the 7x7 State Championship football tournament on Thursday, June 23, 2016 at Bellevue West High School in Bellevue. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Coastal Carolina celebrates following their win during the Arizona vs. Coastal Carolina championship game of the College World Series on Thursday, June 30, 2016 at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Joe Bartolomei, at bat, swings after Tom Owens, center, throws a pitch during the Dundee Wiffle Ball Classic on Saturday, June 11, 2016 at the Kelly home in Dundee. The wiffle ball tournament has been gong on for eight years. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Abby Perez takes a drink of water during the 7x7 State Championship football tournament on Thursday, June 23, 2016 at Bellevue West High School in Bellevue. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Marvin Caspers rings the bell at St. John church on Thursday, July  2016 in Auburn, Neb. There are several Lutheran churches active in Southeast Nebraska. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Maya DiRado stands at the medal ceremony for the 200 IM on Wednesday, June 29, 2016 during the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Swimming at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Kyle White waits to compete in the men's 50 freestyle during the Omaha Cup on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

People get in line before the 2016 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Pam Maxwell, left, and her husband Chip Maxwell, right, prepare to take the podium before he concedes at the watch party for candidate Chip Maxwell on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 11924 Arbor St. in Omaha. Maxwell conceded to Don Bacon. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Paralympian Cheri Madsen works out on the track at Nebraska City High School in Nebraska City, Nebraska. Madsen will race at the Paralympic Games this summer in Rio. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Paralympian Cheri Madsen clutches her shoulders as it begins to rain at her home in Union, Nebraska. Madsen will race at the Paralympic Games this summer in Rio. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Ehdeh Htoo, center, with Ywa Eh Paw on her lap, cares for children of parents in the ESL class on Monday, June 6, 2016 at Yates Community Center in Omaha. The center teaches ESL Classes and sewing classes, and has an early childhood center among other services for refugees, immigrants and community members. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Zac Zacarola, environmental chemist, goes through procedure for monitoring out, verifying that he didn't pick up contamination in a radiologcal controlled area, on Friday, June 17, 2016 at Cooper Nuclear Station in Brownville, Neb. The station operates the largest single unit electrical generator in Nebraska. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Xavier Murphy, 14, left, and Delano Tabron, 14, right, try to stay cool as they play Pokemon Go on Thursday, July 21, 2016 near Fort St. and N. 47th St. in Omaha. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Lilliana Winston, 4, splashes in the kiddie pool on Saturday, June 18, 2016 near Marcy St. and S. 25th St. in Omaha. the Temperatures continue above the 90's in the metro area. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Colorado

We took a girls trip this weekend to Colorado to explore the mountains, camp and hike.

Grizzly Creek, Glenwood Springs

Independence Pass, Aspen

We drove past Denver, went to Echo Lake, had some pie at the lodge, went to Breckenridge and spent the first night at Prospector Campground on Lake Dillon in Silverthorne, CO.  Willow heard chipmunks scurrying around and decided to wake me up at sunrise. I explored the campsite and started a fire for coffee and breakfast.

Prospector Campground, Silverthorne

Prospector Campground, Silverthorne

Maroon Bells, Aspen

On our first full day we drove to Aspen to catch a bus to Maroon Bells. We took a windy scenic road and passed Independence Pass and the Continental Divide. We ran out of time for a hike so we opted to grab a drink in Carbondale and some food to cook at our campsite in Bogan Flats south of Redstone. Our campsite was steps from the river and the rush of the water lulled us to sleep.

Echo Lake, Evergreen

Maroon Bells, Aspen

Bogan Flats Campground, Redstone

Prospector Campground, Silverthorne

Prospector Campground, Silverthorne

In the morning we explored Redstone and dropped the pup off so we could do a few things on our list that didn't involve dogs. Our first stop was the serene Iron Mountain Hot Springs overlooking the Colorado River in Glenwood Springs. The natural hot spring filled the developed pools with 100+ degree water while calming music played over us. We also were able to have our first shower of the weekend which was probably necessary. 

Iron Mountain Hot Springs, Glenwood Springs

Maroon Bells, Aspen

Farm, Carbondale

Airbnb, Carbondale

From there we tried to hike Hanging Lake but a 1.5 hour wait led us to Grizzly Creek hike which turned out to be a favorite on our trip. After a walk around Glenwood Springs we headed back to Carbondale where we listened to live folk music in the park and grabbed some food before heading to our Airbnb in the country outside Carbondale.

Prospector Campground, Silverthorne

Prospector Campground, Silverthorne

Grizzly Creek, Glenwood Springs

Prospector Campground, Silverthorne

We stayed in an awesome studio owned by a sweet couple on a three acre property. They were so warm and welcoming and left with fresh eggs from their chickens and access to use their hot tub under the stars. (Thanks Brittany and Michael!) 

Airbnb, Carbondale

Airbnb, Carbondale

In the morning we fed the chickens before hitting the road. Our last stop was Idaho Springs outside of Denver where we stopped at a brewery and shopped before we waved goodbye to the mountains.

Overlook, Silverthorne

Iceland

Finally had a chance to go through photos from our magical adventure in Iceland. It was a stunning country with beauty and surprises around every corner. The landscape is diverse and unique with endless places to explore.

Several of my favorite places we visited would have been hard to find without planning and directions so I was glad I did research before the trip. 

Reykjavik

We rented a car and started in Reykjavik, the capitol and by far the largest city, where were explored the city, shops, and found a great view at the top of the Hallgrímskirkja Church. There was plenty to eat in the area but the food, especially in Reykjavik, was very expensive. Think $40 a person for a casual sit-down lunch. I was glad we packed tons of granola bars and after a trip to the grocery store we made most of our own food for the week.

Bruarfoss

We headed up to Akranes, a small fishing town, where we climbed the top of a lighthouse and drove through several miles of underground tunnels below the sea. Our first night was spent in Hafnarfjörður where we rested up before an 8.5 mile trail run through the mountains. We were treated with hot homemade soup and bread following the race and given free access to the local geothermal pool.

The Golden Circle

We embarked on the Golden Circle which is a 3-4 hours loop that includes some of the most popular geological landmarks. We stopped at Þingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gulfoss and the hidden ice blue Bruarfoss waterfall which we found just before giving up. 

Þingvellir

Þingvellir

The Golden Circle

We spent our first night at an airbnb in Selfoss. The place was owned by an older couple who gave us access to their large garden and greenhouse for coffee in the morning.

Hveragerði

Since we weren't far from Hveragerði we decided to backtrack to a short hike with a hot spring at the end. It turned out to be several miles straight uphill through the most beautiful place I've been. Sometimes it's good to be wrong. We passed waterfalls, views of mountain ranges, craters and geysers. The temperature shifted from sweating in short sleeves to rain then snow. 

Hveragerði

When we reached the river, the boiling water flowed from the top of the mountain and mixed with fresh spring water leaving the flowing river hot tub temperature. The further up the stream the hotter the water. It was hard to leave.

Hveragerði

Arabær Horse Farm, Selfoss



After a satisfying dinner at Fjöruborðið known for its langoustine (small lobster from the North Sea) in Stokkseyri we spent the night at a horse farm in Selfoss and pet a lot of horse noses. They had pretty great hairstyles.

Gljúfrabúi



Heading east, we visited several popular waterfalls including Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss and its less visited neighbor Gljúfrabúi. We were able to walk inside the powerful Gljúfrabúi. On a whim, we decided to drive an extra four hours to visit the other worldly glacial lagoon Jökulsárlón where large chunks of glacial ice bottleneck and float in the lagoon. 

Fjallsárlón glacial lagoon



Hoping to find a rest stop we pulled over first at Fjallsárlón glacial lagoon. It was quiet and peaceful and we used our time there to reflect on the day. Since the sun doesn't truly set in the summer we didn't have to worry about driving back in the dark.

Reynisfjara

Vik



We spent the night in the beautiful coastal town of Vik known for its black sand beaches and handmade wool. We walked the beach and got use of our 4x4 car driving up a cliff for a good vantage point of Dyrhólaey. I think it's somehow featured in Game of Thrones.

Reynisfjara

Dyrhólaey

Dyrhólaey

Dyrhólaey

Vik



Heading back west we stopped to see Seljavallalaug geothermal swimming pool. It was a short 10 min walk from a parking lot a few miles of the main road. You can never have too much pool in Iceland. We stayed in a cozy cabin in Reykjanesbær with a geothermal hot tub. We relaxed, drank tea and played cards.

Seljavallalaug swimming pool

Reykjanesbær airbnb

Our last stop was Iceland's most popular tourist attraction the Blue Lagoon. You will hear mixed reviews about the Blue Lagoon. It's the only pool we had to pay for. Yes it was crowded, yes the mud masks were a little cheesy but it was awesome. I would recommend going. Screw the haters.

The Blue Lagoon

You really can't go wrong in Iceland. Everywhere is unique and beautiful. Some people will drive the whole ring road. We opted to limit our driving to the south coast and leave time for fluctuations in plans and exploring off the beaten path. I wouldn't have changed anything.

An overview of our route:

Us pretending to be Icelandic with our new wool.