Have you ever felt an invisible happy hand reach down your throat and steal the sounds you think you need to scream when you see something spectacular? Something that forces your body into a silent moment of AWE? Yes... it is as beautiful and wonderful as they say. The Laugavegur Trail is Iceland's most popular hike and one of the world's top destinations, for good reason, too.

Sure, us adventurous types typically flee populated places to experience nature untouched. We want solitude and serenity... where no one else is... but Honey-Bun, there is enough beauty to go around for everyone! In fact, it brings me so much joy to see people out on their first hike in this kind of terrain. What better introduction to the great outdoors?

I made it to Landmannalaugar in time to find my resupply box and down two beers before setting off on the final stretch. This was an interesting resupply. A few weeks back in Reykjavík, I gave a bus driver 3,000 Króna in blind faith to deliver my food... no address, no recipient to sign for, just faith. Onward to a cloudy misty snow crossing with the sweet smell of sulfur fuming through my feet. I set up camp in a white out, close enough to about 40 other tents to hear them snore. I had to pee in my cook pot, since there were no trees to block the view and the outhouse was too far for my morning regularities. Nothing like salty coffee to remind you of your outdoorsyness? It wasn't until I unzipped my tent at 4:00am that I caught the first glimpse of the obsidian packed volcano snow bowl I slept in. I cried in awe of the beauty. Up and out, here we go.

I pushed past half a hundred people that day and made the questionable decision to stealth camp out of sight down a babbling brook gully. It's my last night on trail (potentially) and it feels so right to be here alone... listening to the water and wind. Only 25 miles to the lighthouse, Iceland's southernmost point. I'm happy and strong. I know someone or something is looking out for me and OH! how thankful I am.