Djúpivogur, Iceland

I never did catch the pronunciation of this village. When people said it, it sounded like “dripping four” to us!  But it was a glorious day with blue skies and the sea gleaming all day long!


Paul discovers one of the compasses of the village on top of a hill we climbed.


Dainty little cotton flowers 

Moss


There were dozens of cairns right outside the public restroom. The line was long, and I guess folks needed something to do as they waited.


Djúpivogur is beautiful from the sea.

The flag of Iceland 


A local artist created this sculpture to commemorate the first black man who settled here, I believe a former slave, who made great contributions to the local community. The sculpture is called “Freedom.”

 We are anchored off a village of 500 people off the east coast of Iceland. Took a walking tour this morning.  We really enjoyed the hike.

I did not know that Iceland was formed by the collision between two tectonic plates, the North American and the Euro-Asian. That accounts for rugged mountains down the middle.

Apparently the Arctic Fox was the only native mammal here. Since the arrival of humans, reindeer, mink, rabbits and others have been introduced. Possibly there are no native birds here, but many birds travel through on their migrations.  Sheep and fish are the primary sources of protein. Rhubarb does very well here, and people incorporate it into many dishes.  Lupine, or what we know as bluebonnets in Texas, are large and ubiquitous.  And they are an invasive species, introduced here in the 1970s!

Children attend school locally from age 6 to 16.  For further education they must go to a larger city. Often they leave the community for good. The people here hope to draw their children to a quieter lifestyle here at home. Everyone has at least two jobs, because there is a lot to do!





Swimming is a popular pastime and social activity. They have a community pool and sports complex.


Those invasive bluebonnets!

I loved it here!

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