We started our day with the most delicious breadbowl soup at our favorite spot (we ultimately ended up eating here 4 times) and then drove a few hours to catch a ferry. We had originally planned on taking our car on the ferry, but when we got to the loading dock, the ferry car spots were sold out for several weeks due to the "festival" that would be happening on the Westman Islands that weekend. We actually lucked out with timing (our plans had us staying at the Westman Islands Wednesday-Friday), but had we been a day later, we wouldn't have been able to board the ferry at all due to the festival. The ferry itself is pretty uneventful, until you come to this picture below. I mean, it was INCREDIBLE. Out of nowhere come these cliffs jutting out of the ocean created entirely by volcanic activity.
Its hard to tell, but these cliffs go straight up, 1000 feet or more.
After settling into our hotel room, we headed out to the Volcano Museum on the Island. In 1973 the island was changed forever by the eruption of Eldheimer. The entire town on the island was covered by volcanic material over the course of 6 months. Luckily everyone was able to evacuate the island with only one casualty. However, homes were destroyed. 6 months after the volcano began erupting, the island had grown by 20%. People were finally allowed back onto the island to begin their new lives. The museum was built around an excavated home (see above and below) and is very informative of the volcanic activity not only on the island, but in the area.
There is a trail that begins outside the museum and leads to the top of Eldheimer. There are two routes and Brian and I chose (not intentionally) the incredibly steep (and not popular) route up. It really was beautiful, and windy, and along a cliff.
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