On our second day in Iceland (which also happened to fall on my twenty err…something birthday), we went to Thingvellir National Park. On our way there, we got caught in a massive blizzard that completely whited out our view of everything surrounding us, leaving only a slight view of the road ahead. It was a slightly terrifying, slightly awe-inspiring experience watching as our bus driver continued on through without any hesitation, diverting us from danger at every turn. Eventually, we pulled into a parking lot and saw people who almost looked like snowmen walking up and down a large pathway framed by massive walls or sheer cliffs. We then got off the bus, bundled up in our multiple layers, hoping to keep the blizzard from turning us into snowmen, and started our own trek up through the park. This cliff was actually a part of the North American tectonic plate that had completely separated itself from the Eurasian Plate.
Along this plate and the volcanic fissure field between it are beautiful waterfalls and rivers that flow despite the freezing temperatures. It is a striking thing to see with your own eyes, making the bone-chilling bus ride worth the risk. Not the worst way to celebrate your birthday (probably the best way).
Swanson School of Engineering 