Tools of the trade - Lensbaby style

Day 1: Arrival to the West Fjords

We've made it...

Day 6 (con't): Dog carting in Iceland near Vik

Strange, but true. (Yes, that really is an only US Navy plane on the beach.)

Time to Stopp and Get Some Sleep

I can't speak for the rest, but I've been going for almost 48 hours straight without sleep. Now in Flokalunder in the NW Fjords and it is time for lights out. But, If I know John, he's down the hall right now cooking up some more pictures from the day. Maybe he or someone else will post more while this driver gets some rest. It was a great day with a great group of people and tomorrow is coming fast. Stay tuned for more! - Bill

The Ship Has Sailed

Most of this trip's crew enjoying some relaxing time on the Ferry Baldur. We're 2 hours into a 4 hour cruise up into the West Fjords... and guess what? Wireless!

Pictured left to right is Mike Solomon, Tim Hyde, John Sheets, David Henderson, Bryan Treen and Ike Eiselord.

Day 6: Icelandic Farm Charm...

Yesterday was very busy so I didn't post, today is a travel day (finally heading to the West Fjords - yes!), however for you blog watchers here is a little something to tide you over.

Please note that based on last year's experience we'll likely not have Internet access for the next couple days. So if the blog isn't updated, don't panic - we'll be back as soon as we're back online...

Time to Fly!

I thought this day would never come! I'm sitting here with my bags at my feet ready to head out to the airport and the plane to Minneapolis. There I'll join with the rest of the group for our flight up to Keflavik. Sandy and John have been having all the fun and it is finally our turn to jump in. Tomorrow morning we'll all be joining forces for the trek north in our new Ford Transit van.

Stay tuned! The adventure is about to begin!

Day 5: Bring on the cliches

I know, I shouldn't even post this, but a visit to Gullfoss requires this shot.


Maybe this short video will partially redeem me?

Hint: Don't view large. Blogger compressed this so much that if viewed large it is a pixelated mess.

Day 4 continued: blue skies

OK, so it's not always like this in Iceland...

Day 4: Jökulsárgljúfur (Yar-kul-sar for us)

The weather continued to be amazing (including the 5 minute hail storm that pelted us at Dettifoss). Here are some of the finer weather shots...

2 More Snaps

Sandy Snaps

Following are some random pre-tour images to get everyone through packing. Bon Voyage and see you soon in Keflavik.

Day 3: But wait, there's more

Bill recommended Goðafoss, so we of course had to go. (Ok, truth be told, we were going anyway, but don't tell Bill...) It was definitely worth seeing. Tried not to be too dangerous so as not to worry Bill too much. Yes, that's me in the bottom picture, but don't worry Bill, I wasn't at the edge.

Day 3: This blog takes flight

We flew to Akureyri today in the north of Iceland. The flight was beautiful, with excellent weather. Here are a couple photos to give you an idea of some of the stark beauty of the coast and interior.

Day 2: Eyjafjallajokull - Beauty Remains

Day 2 of the Advanced Scouting Report... We visited Eyjafjallajökull in Þorsmörk yesterday. It is clearly a land in transition. And while these photos focus on the glacier that remains after the eruption, much of the land has already recovered. Maybe we'll post more soon. Note the tiny dot of a truck in the lower left corner of the first photo. That tiny do is actually a rather large touring truck. The even tinier dots next to it are people...

Day 1: Reykjavik - Graffiti Artists

Today's spectacular weather provided a great opportunity for graffiti artists to work, while Sandy and I got to work capturing them working and their work. In an otherwise nicer section of town, there are a series of derelict buildings that have been condemned by the city. The buildings have fallen into such disrepair that their only use has been as canvas for the cities many legit (and not so legit) graffiti artists. This particular area was once a parking lot and is now a park. Just days ago these works of art were not here.




Let's hear it for urban renewal, Iceland style!

What's on the menu

This is mostly a test to see if posting photos from my iPhone gives satisfactory results...



But the menu selection's kinda interesting too...

We're (t)here!

Got in to Keflavik a few hours ago and now we're in Reykjavik. The weather is nothing short of spectacular - sunny, blue skies, little wind, not too cold. Gotta take a nap though - will post more later once I get photo uploads (to Blogger) to work from my iPhone. Any suggestions?

Stay tuned - more to come...

Sandy and John on the Way!

Having traveled last year with Sandy and John, I am very much looking forward to hitting the road with them again and meeting up with the rest of the group. So, I'll try to hide my jealousy in reporting that I received an excited message from John a few hours ago saying he and Sandy were on the plane and ready to depart.

Having planned an excursion on their own prior to meeting with the rest of the group, they should be somewhere over Greenland as I type this. Here's to hoping they're on the left side of the plane and getting a good show of the Northern Lights! With any luck, they will check-in on the Blog in the next few days and share part of their trip as the rest of us prepare to join them on the morning of the 31st.

5 days and counting!

Bill

PS... Check out John and Sandy's fine work HERE

http://www.masaefoxeart.com/

All Aboard!!

There are now only days left until our group of 9 photographers will begin the journey to the wild and beautiful Northwest Fjords of Iceland. Along the way we will be updating this space as wireless service permits. Photos, sounds and videos are all things to be expected as we explore and photograph the unique and raw beauty of the area known as "Vestfirðir"

The trip begins August 30 when all will be departing from various points in the US and UK and convening at Leifur Eriksson Airport outside of Reykjavik. There we will get our van and strike out for Stykkishólmur in the Snaefellsnes Peninsula where we are booked on the ferry that will take us directly into some of the most remote territory Iceland has to offer. (See map for our route)

Please join us for the adventure by becoming a follower of this Blog and experience the trip vicariously through our posts. the adventure begins in less than 2 weeks and we'll be happy to have you along!

Bill Schwab

- Bill Schwab Photographs

- North Light Photographic Workshops

Counting the Days!!

Only 25 days until we'll all be meeting for the big trip and by now all of you should have your connecting flights booked. If you haven't, remember that most airlines will begin raising ticket prices within 14 days of our flight and you want to be sure you have a space. I only mention this because I lost track of that little detail for myself in the planning. It was only 3 days ago while going through my checklist that I realized that I had not purchased my ticket from Detroit to Minneapolis for the Iceland Air connection! That has now been remedied and I will be arriving in MSP at 4:15 allowing a good padding for our 7:20 PM departure. Several of you will be departing from other cities, so please take the time to re-check and verify your departure times.

Look for another newsletter in the next few days while keeping the final, amended installment dates in mind. A big thanks to those that have already taken care of this!