It’s About The Journey

Riding is a blessed sitting, and a swift journey, and the toil of the horse.

Icelandic Rune Poem

When I began to wander, I was lost. But soon I found myself.

Raidho, the sixth rune of the Elder Futhark alphabet means “ride or journey.” The Elder Futhark is the oldest form of the Germanic alphabet used for both magical and writing purposes. This was the rune I whispered to myself while sitting around a living room table, gnashing on licorice and talking with my new Icelandic friends about what was next for me.

“It is about the journey,” she said, as she tapped my knee. “You don’t know where this will take you, but it is what’s happening along the way that matters.”

She was referring to my upcoming adventures in Iceland that involved connecting with more people. I didn’t know where any of this would lead, but it didn’t matter, only the present did.

Tears welled in my eyes and I believe my friends caught my distant gaze as my memory drifted back to that first visit to this island two years ago. I had no idea it would lead to six return visits, collaborations, and locals welcoming me into their homes and lives. I had even grown a strong fondness for Icelandic food and a determination to learn the language.

My emotions stirred a mixture of disbelief, awe, and excitement and they began to laugh as if they knew what dwelled in my heart. I slowly began to laugh too, as I recognized the profound beauty which is the mystery of life. Let me take you back a bit to that first visit.

In 2021 my trip to Norway and Denmark was cancelled and so I substituted that with Iceland. But it was not the glacier lagoon or waterfalls that brought me to Iceland. It was her history. The sagas, the stories of gods and vikings, and elves, and runes- it all intrigued me. And as a writer of Norse myth, I wanted to see the land that inspired these tales first hand. I wanted to set my eyes on it, smell the air, touch the earth, walk the path of Gudrun Osvifrsdottir.

And so I did, and I fell in love. I felt a strange yearning for a place I had never been before, yet my soul knew it. It was as if my heart touched some long-forgotten memory of a life once lived before. It was very strange, and every time I returned from Iceland, she haunted me in dreams and waking hours as if a part of me remained behind.

My first few trips to the island were solo ventures, opting to explore alone and stay to myself. I liked my quiet time with the land and my thoughts, but this soon changed.

In 2022 I booked my first guided tour to Þorsmork, or Thor’s Valley, with Midgard Adventure, having no idea this decision would change my life forever. I fell in love with Thorsmork and returned again in 2023 for a Super Jeep tour then again that year for two more tours into the valley.

As for Midgard Adventure, from the moment I arrived, they made me feel at home. “Hail to a good host,” the Norse god Odin states in the Hávamal, and this is the case for Midgard Adventure. As a solo traveler, it can be a little unnerving to attend a smaller tour, but I never felt that way with Midgard. I felt welcomed. Even long after the tours ended, I found myself seated at a table in their basecamp for many hours, editing photos, and chatting with other travelers and guides.

This past summer I kicked off my bucket list a guided hike along the iconic Fimmvorðuhals trail with Midgard Adventure. Led by the wonderful guide Hilmar, myself and a group of locals had a memorable day and were treated to amazing weather and some of the best scenery Iceland has to boast.

It was on this hike I made my first Icelandic friend, a woman named Iris. After the hike, following a well-earned cheeseburger and beer, we sat beside the river sharing chocolate and talking as if we had known each other forever. While everyone was boarding the super jeep we continued to talk as the sun set and I knew at that moment I had made a friend for life.

For New Year’s she gifted me a set of Icelandic mittens knitted by her grandmother and I nearly cried (okay I did cry!) I was so touched. You just don’t find these moments in your guidebooks or maps.

I just returned from a six-day trip which felt short, but my best one yet. It was a whirlwind of gatherings, exploring, darkness, epic sunrises, and auroras. It was the people that made this trip so special. I remember last New Year’s Eve sitting in my cabin in Vogar, watching the fireworks in Reykjavik and thinking to myself, I know I belong here for New Year’s Eve, but I don’t know why. I convinced myself one year I would be celebrating with others there. This day finally arrived.

This year for 2024, I celebrated my first Icelandic New Year’s complete with a viewing of the traditional Icelandic comedy show Áraótaskaupið, followed by fireworks, game playing, champagne toast, and dessert after midnight. It was superb, and I as I stood there on the snowy hill in the cold watching the impressive fireworks display, I felt even more of my soul attaching to this country.

Two days later I partook in a Super Jeep tour through Thorsmork as part of a collaborative project with Midgard Adventure. Led by a guide who feels strangely like a long-lost brother to me, I was stoked to be once again, journeying through this valley that started it all for me. My hands shook with nerves as I piloted my drone. I wanted so badly to make sure I got the best footage as he navigated the super jeep “Freyja” across the infamous Króssa river.

It was the dinner gathering that evening where I had this “journey” epiphany. We were discussing future collaborative projects when I suddenly had this crazy reality check. I almost had to pinch myself, is this all really happening?! I left with such a strong sense of gratitude I was overwhelmed. How do you thank people who are helping you make your dreams come true? When I first published those two little books in Norse myth years ago I had no idea it would lead to any of this. Again, life is certainly a ride, but only if you are willing to take a chance.

We finished our meals, enjoyed dessert, and talked for quite a bit about my experiences.

“It is not just what I see when I am here,” I said to her. “It is what I feel in here,” and I pointed at my heart. She hugged me, which was more of a welcoming embrace than anything. As if she was saying, “Welcome home.” This meant the world to me.

The next day I embarked on a new experience, visiting Katla ice cave, located on the 800-year-old Katla glacier. This blew my mind and needs to be seen to truly appreciate, for any picture or words will not do it justice. Iceland always manages to bring a smile to my face like nothing else. “You can see your love for this country when you talk about it,” many people have said to me. I feel it too.

That evening while driving back to my Airbnb at Mr. Iceland, the Northern lights appeared. This was very lucky for me, as I have always had lousy northern lights luck. I used to joke it was Iceland’s way of getting me to return.

To my amazement, they continued to dance long after I arrived back at my cabin. I watched feeling as if this was more than just pure luck, but a gift I would never take for granted. In some ways, I felt this was a strange validation. Perhaps some may think just a coincidence, but I believe otherwise.

I am not ashamed to admit this because I feel it may inspire someone, before this whole Iceland experience, I had given up on life. I found myself going through the motions, feeling lost, and confused. I battled depression and anxiety. I lacked things like mindfulness, gratitude, joy, and passion. I went through my days with very little hope, chasing after things that I thought would make me happy, but were nothing more than bandaids to ease the time.

Iceland breathed new life into me. She inspired me to write again, photograph again, and explore again. She gave me hope. But it is not so much Iceland, the destination that gifted this to me, it was the journey through her that did.

She helped me find myself. She reminded me that the journey is the gem, no matter where in the end it may take you. I don’t know where any of this will take me, or what is next, but do I really need to? I am excited to see what unfolds and grateful for the memories, friendships, and the gift of self-discovery.

Even when I am yanking my luggage through two feet of snow in the dark and the cold there, I am happy. Strange some may think, but Iceland has her charm in many ways that not many will appreciate.

Now, during my visits, whether it’s to a valley, an ice cave, or a glacier, I roll down the window to gaze upon the moving landscape. I take a deep breath and I pause the moment.

Sometimes it takes getting lost to be found.

I hope everyone smiles this big in the New Year.

I hope you all have the courage to live the live you have imagined.

I hope you all find that happy place.

I hope you all enjoy the journey. I hope you are free.