Dame

I realized that Icelanders like to play Dame when I passed by a mowed meadow again. However, they play it a little differently than we do. Since using wood for game boards would be a waste, they play directly on the grass. Each player has game pieces in a color. If they feel like playing, they drive their tractors and game pieces to a buddy's place and off they go. Meanwhile, spectators stand on the edge of the meadow, waiting with coffee and the most delicious rhubarb cake in the world.

The Ring Road on the southeast coast of this section is characterized by steep mountain slopes. The road builders had to do a lot of work here to make everything hold. Weather stations are installed at most roads in exposed locations. Here, wind speed and temperature are measured and provided online with the general road conditions for travel preparation at www.road.is. A very important service, especially in winter and during the transition period. Einbreid Brú (single-lane bridge) and Blindhædir (blind summit) can often be found and are announced in advance.

The small towns found on both sides of the road (not to be confused with the many individual farms) often have a small supermarket, sometimes with an integrated snack bar, a self-service gas station, and a public bath, school, and sports field. Information with a historical background can be found on information boards, mostly at the entrance of the town, often also in parking lots along the route. There are many campsites, but I haven't used them.

Today, Hildegard took me to the highlands. First, we drove along the Ring Road in a northeasterly direction along the coast, then turned onto Route 95, and finally came the 910. Although it is located in the highlands and has three digits, it is asphalted for about 70 kilometers coming from the east. A blessing. This way, I can get an idea of the Icelandic interior highlands as well. A room in Laugarfell is booked. A very cozy hostel has established itself here, with 2 naturally fed hot pots for warming up and relaxing. I have to remember for myself that I prefer an early arrival with a subsequent hike to a late arrival 😆

So now I have the opportunity to visit the roaring glacial river Jökulsá, coming from nearby Snæfell, which divides the mountains here and come closer to Iceland again.