{"id":3423,"date":"2021-06-01T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-01T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/camperstories\/our-colorado-based-icelandic-love-story\/"},"modified":"2026-05-19T13:19:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T13:19:14","slug":"our-colorado-based-icelandic-love-story","status":"publish","type":"camperstories","link":"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/fr\/camperstories\/our-colorado-based-icelandic-love-story\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Colorado based Icelandic love story"},"content":{"rendered":"

T<\/strong>o say we fell in love over the Northern Lights is less of an exaggeration than you might think. \u00a0Okay, it\u2019s still a slight exaggeration\u2026 we fell in love over a shared sense of adventure, of belief in the unknown, in a desire to see the world. \u00a0And yes, Iceland specifically. \u00a0When I met my husband over a year ago, we spoke of the Aurora Borealis sometime within our first few dates. \u00a0At the time of our meeting, life was propelling us forward in different directions. \u00a0To say that Iceland was the catalyst for us finding our way back to one another is an exaggeration\u2026 but perhaps it played a role nonetheless.<\/p>\n

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T<\/strong>wo weeks ago, we flew to Iceland to celebrate my birthday. \u00a0 Before I began writing today, I browsed the CamperStories<\/a><\/span><\/strong> of others. \u00a0Other couples, families, friends. \u00a0The stories are beautiful and well-written and brimming with information about where to travel in Iceland, what to bring on your trip, and what discoveries await. \u00a0Truth be told, that was my original intention in writing as well. \u00a0But I\u2019ve decided to go in a different direction. \u00a0Instead of specifics, I will be vague. \u00a0I won\u2019t say where we went, although there are likely obvious clues, and I won\u2019t say that anyone ought to follow our path (literally). \u00a0The beauty of Iceland is the sights, yes. \u00a0However, what lingers for me, shortly after returning to Colorado, is the space in between. \u00a0Between the hikes and hot springs and waterfalls<\/a><\/span>. \u00a0The beautiful pastures, the endless coastline, and the times on the road with nothing in sight except mountains and sea. \u00a0There is no one path to follow.<\/div>\n
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J<\/strong>ames and I share a love of being on the road, and Iceland has \u201cinfinite\u201d \u201croad\u201d to offer. \u00a0Infinite in quotes because well, Iceland is the size of Delaware, so not infinite, and road in quotes because some roads are more like gravel paths. \u00a0We started the Camper Van<\/a><\/span> portion of our trip approximately three days after landing in the country. \u00a0(Now, I will name drop for a moment: in Reykjavik, we indulged in fresh sandwiches at Sandholt, delectable pastries at Brau\u00f0 & Co., and creamy goodness in the form of ice cream cones at Valdis. \u00a0In this case, I DO suggest you follow our path, if only to experience the wonder of the delicious \u2013 and expensive \u2013 food that the city offers.) \u00a0But the real indulgence began when we picked up our Camper Van<\/a><\/span>.<\/div>\n
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\"Geysir<\/a><\/div>\n
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W<\/strong>e had no plan. \u00a0Planning is an inherent part of life; however, when it comes to travel, we believe less is more. \u00a0We knew not where we\u2019d sleep until an hour or two before dusk. \u00a0We drove and explored with open eyes, full bellies, and excitement streaming through our veins. \u00a0There were waterfalls that we didn\u2019t know existed until we came around the bend. \u00a0I\u2019m sure they all technically have names, but we found ones that weren\u2019t on any map we saw. \u00a0When we paid the obligatory visit to geothermal baths, they weren\u2019t the blue one we had anticipated soaking in. \u00a0Instead, we found beautiful pools on the cusp of a lake in a small village, and we warmed our bodies in the luscious water while gazing out at the lake, blanketed with fog as the night rolled in.<\/div>\n
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\"Fjords<\/a><\/div>\n
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O<\/strong>ne day we drove to a site that is famous for a National Geographic picture that captures a mountain on the peninsula with stunning lights floating in the background. \u00a0It was beautiful, yes, but no more beautiful than any other sight we saw. \u00a0We weren\u2019t better off for having chosen one sight over another. \u00a0It is ALL a feast for the eyes and a breath of fresh air for the soul. \u00a0Was it amazing to feel the force of the most powerful waterfall in Europe? \u00a0Absolutely, but the magic of blue cascading waters flowing forcefully over lava rock was something that drew my breath away at EVERY waterfall.<\/div>\n
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\"Waterfalls<\/a><\/div>\n
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T<\/strong>he point of all this vague writing? \u00a0There is beauty EVERYWHERE in Iceland. \u00a0It matters less where you go, and more how you choose to take it in. \u00a0Whether you\u2019re looking for solitude, moss-covered lava fields, volcanoes to climb, or black sand beaches<\/a><\/span> to wander: Iceland is there, ready and waiting. \u00a0If you want a stricter itinerary, there is a plethora of options. \u00a0(On our next trip to Iceland, we plan on driving around the whole country. \u00a0However, because weather was a limiting factor on our late October to early November trip, we chose to travel on the West coast as well as explore the Southwest.) \u00a0If you enjoy the open road and no set destination, all you need is to wake up in your Camper, find a gas station<\/a><\/span> with coffee (or use the wonderful provided gear to boil your own water and brew your own cup), and hit the road (or gravel path).<\/div>\n
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H<\/strong>aving a camper in Iceland provided us the freedom to choose our own adventure. \u00a0Although I won\u2019t say that one needs to do X, Y, or Z to make the most out of a trip to Iceland, I will say that our Camper Van was an essential part of exploring (and sleeping, as we had less than eight hours of sun a day!). \u00a0James and I both loved the freedom that the Van provided. \u00a0On our next trip to the country, we\u2019ve decided that we\u2019ll only swing through Reykjavik for a meal or two, and instead spend the rest of our time in our Camper Van, driving through the country. \u00a0In a world that is increasingly crowded and built up (literally), there\u2019s nothing like resetting one\u2019s system by visiting a (relatively uninhabited) place with endless natural beauty and a possible adventure around every corner.<\/div>\n
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T<\/strong>o close, I WILL share a few specific recommendations\u2026 find a dairy farm and marvel at how different fresh ice cream tastes. \u00a0Eat some Icelandic fish stew. \u00a0Find a greenhouse that\u2019s also a restaurant and choose to participate in the tomato soup and fresh bread buffet. \u00a0Find a night where the forecast is clear and scout out a dark place to watch the Northern Lights. \u00a0Although it may be an exaggeration to say that my husband and I fell in love at the thought of Iceland, it\u2019s not an exaggeration to write that Iceland is a place where any adventure is possible. \u00a0My final recommendation: RENT A CAMPER VAN<\/a><\/span> and hit the open road, with or without an agenda and allow yourself to soak in the beauty of Iceland.<\/div>\n
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Read more<\/strong>: \u00a0How to explore Iceland<\/a><\/div>\n
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Happy Camping! \u00a0#CamperStories<\/strong><\/div>\n
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\u00a0Iceland Travel Guides<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"The<\/a>\u00a0\"Swimming<\/a><\/p>\n