10 Lessons from Traveling on the Ring Road

Going to Iceland for the second time was a dream come true. Since returning home in 2015, my heart was set on returning again someday. However, I was eager to make this trip totally different from the last. I wanted to be truly independent and do so with spending as little money as possible. I wanted to experience the Iceland through a different lens.

So this May Jessie and I rented a car and drove around the Ring Road and into the Westfjords, camping as much as possible as we tried to divert from the common tourist's path. Like any adventure, there were bumps in the road (literally and figuratively). 

Here were some lessons we learned along our way: 

1.) Take as many pit stops as you can (in moderation)

When you see something beautiful during the drive, STOP! Many of the photographs I took were right off the side of the road. However, limit yourself. Soak in every moment when you do decide to pull over but don't stop every ten minutes. Never turn a one hour drive into three...

2.) RELAX, the unknown isn't as scary as you may think

Never over plan. Some of the best days were when we only knew where point B was and nothing in between. Let the road take you. 

There is freedom in having no reservations to abide by. There is an exciting rush of energy when making last minute decisions. I find that the most spontaneous adventures are the most memorable. 

3.) It's OK if something doesn't turn out the way you thought it would

That's why back up plans are helpful (not required though). 

Sometimes booking a one night stay at a guesthouse is a lot smarter than paying for a campsite in the pouring rain. Yes guesthouses are more expensive, but braving the elements is really not worth it after a long day. 

4.) Get to the campsite before dinner time. Always. 

Never get to the campsite late. It leaves you scrambling to set up and make dinner, ultimately leading you to eat at 10pm still needing to clean dishes afterwards. Getting there earlier allows you to relax and enjoy the area (and get to bed at a reasonable hour). 

Side note: never make stir fry when you get to a campsite late, especially if you decide to camp at the base of a glacier. It's really cold. Making stir fry takes a lot longer than you think. It's a bad combination. 

5.) Eat before anything. Literally anything. 

Hangry is a real emotion. Roadside snacking is crucial to surviving a long car ride. 

6.) Speaking of food, Icelandic hot dogs and Netto are truly a traveler's best friend.

And skyr of course. The hot dogs are the cheapest food to buy. At 450 ISK (around $4.21 USD), they're both delicious and easy on your wallet. 

Netto is a holy land. Because eating out at restaurants in Iceland is very expensive, buying food at grocery stores is a great way to save money during the trip. Many travelers recommend going to Bonus but Netto has more selection and is low cost (in my opinion).   

Just remember a lot grocery stores open at 10am... so don't try to get there early. 

7.) Sometimes you may think your car is broken... but keep driving because it'll probably fix itself

Yeah maybe don't listen to this one. However, sometimes rocks get stuck in funny places in your car and makes terrifying noises.

Sometimes those noises are so absurd that it sounds like you ruined the suspension of the car.

Sometimes you freak out because you don't own this vehicle and you think you severely damaged it.

And sometimes you'll hear the rock plop back onto the road and the car sound completely normal again.

So be sure to take it slow on the roads, especially when they aren't paved... 

8.) Keep your mind open to others

Yes this sounds very cliché, however, never be afraid to talk to a local or fellow tourist and ask about how their lives and ideas might differ from yours. '

Opening your mind allows you to connect more with the place your visiting. Conversations from locals led Jessie and I to learn about Icelandic views on tourism and about the elves and hidden people that are embedded in the country's culture. 

9.) There are many more adventures on roads beyond Route 1

AKA the Westfjords and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula are absolutely magical. The Ring Road is amazing but don't be afraid to journey off of it. You need to travel off to an entirely different region, even traveling off to quaint towns such as Seydisfjordur are equally exciting. 

10.) Don't let cost make decisions for you

You don't have to book a guided tour to truly experience a place. You don't have to buy an Icelandic sweater at the gift shop to establish that you visited Iceland. Taking out your map and doing your own thing is probably the best way to experience Iceland (or any other destination). There is no need to book fancy hotels or eat at extravagant restaurants to enjoy your time in Iceland.

A rental car and tent is all you really need.

One Week in Acadia

Sunrise on Boulder Beach

When Jessie and I were driving up I-95 amidst the rain, our chatter filled the car with excitement. Although I've grown up in the New England, Mount Desert Island, home to Acadia National Park, seemed like an entirely different world to me. The island is a destination that's a combination of my favorite kind of places, the mountains and the sea. While I had spent a single day in the park a year prior, I was itching to return to a photographer's paradise.

As we reached the island, mist embedded the pines along the coast. The weather made the land mystical, the overcast sky was like a blank canvas, ready for us to paint the journey we'd endure the next days. Once we reached Bar Harbor, we settled in and sketched a plan for our week. 

When I woke up the next morning, I instantly regretted cramming too many activities into our first full day. 

It was 3:50am. 

Somewhat half sleep, I fastened my headlamp and stumbled to the car. When we reached Acadia after the short drive, the park was completely empty (for obvious reasons). Camera by my side, we walked to Boulder Beach. By my sleepy judgement, I thought that wearing bright blue crocs would be suitable shoe to traverse over the slippery rocks.

After successfully reaching an optimal spot on the beach, we waited eagerly for the sun to rise over the water. The ocean was calm that morning, the subtle waves gently crashed onto the shore. Once the sun rose from the horizon, Otter Cliffs illuminated to a rose gold glow. It was 5am now, I sat on the rocks as the golden light became yellow. Seals swam playfully off the beach as I put my camera down trying to soak in the last moments of the early morning sunshine. 

Once I took a quick nap during the drive back to Bar Harbor for breakfast, I began to feel like I wasn't in a sleepy daze. More adventures began to unfold as we began hiking later on in the day.  

The best part about hiking in Acadia is that every trail isn't too long and every mountain isn't too tall. That inevitably led to us to traverse multiple hikes in a one day. Every single trail we embarked on had instant rewards. After a brief period of "gaining altitude", the trees shortened to reveal stunning views of rolling granite mountain tops gracefully tapering into water. 

There is a feeling I can never really describe when I'm hiking. It is truly a combination of positive mental clarity and self doubt. It is your body telling you that you can't do it while your mind pushes you forward. It is a feeling that encapsulates your whole self. Worries on my mind fade away and I'm only left to focus on stepping one foot in front of the other. 

From climbing Dorr and Beech mountain to exploring the Great Head Trail that first day, we were beyond tired. However, we were giddy for the days yet to come. 

After hiking Acadia Mountain the next day, we decided that it was a necessity to have a Maine delicacy, good ol' fashioned lobster rolls. Seated by the water of Southwest Harbor, we gazed at the boats delicately placed on the expanse. Enjoying the warmth of the sun hitting our skin in the early afternoon light, Jessie and I were eager to see more. 

On our final full day, we checked out Bass Harbor and relaxed on the beach. Later, we decided to take an afternoon hike on the Bubbles that overlooked Jordan Pond. Sitting on the granite edge at the summit, the wind howled violently, however, it felt surprisingly soothing. I unclipped my oversized backpack (that is definitely not needed for a three mile hike) and pulled out the two glass bottles of root beer. Jessie and I clinked the root beers in celebration, both in excitement for what we accomplished in the days we were here and also in sadness for having to leave so soon. 

When we started to drive home the next day, the weather returned to the raining gloom we encountered when we first arrived. Pines hiding in the clouds, the sky was as white as canvas once again. As we drove down Route 3, exiting the island, I looked over my shoulder to see the land one last time. Raindrops dragged alongside the window as my head started to lean against the cold glass. The mist covered island was a mirror to my feelings of leaving. 

I was never ready to say goodbye to paradise.