I’m in Iceland with a dynamic group of yogis.  Yesterday was our first full day and last night we saw the Northern Lights.  Just like that, it was 10:00pm, we were all exhausted from our travels, many of us were already snuggled into our various cabins when I heard my phone buzz twice. I dragged myself out of my warm bed and read two texts from Einar:

There are Northern Lights now!

It is fabulous.

I jumped out of bed and woke up my sleeping cabin mates by shouting out, “The Northern Lights are out!!”

I texted the group:

Look outside.  Northern Lights!

Kristin texted me back:

On my way out! Thanks for the heads up!

And my text again to Kristin:

Knock on the cabin doors!

My cabin mates and I put our coats, scarves, hats, and gloves on over our pajamas. We pulled our boots  on quickly and out we dashed.  I knocked on the cabin doors next to us, waking up most of our group.

We walked down a dark lava-graveled road and marveled at the green threads of solar flares beaming across the star-studded sky. Little by little, most of our bundled up group converged on the dark road.  The night sky was alive with Northern Lights. It was 36 degrees Fahrenheit, but the Aurora Borealis lights were firing up my mind, warming my sense of wonder.

Sometimes, when something like this happens, I wonder to myself, “How can anything beat this?”  I should know that kind of thinking is useless because there is so much to marvel at in this life, so much to see, and so much to experience.

Well, no photos of the Northern Lights, but plenty of other photos from this Land of Fire and Ice! Enjoy the photos and comments below:

This Icelandic Horse’s name translated to Raptor. She was named Raptor for her beautiful color (her coat is black). She is 6 years old and very affectionate and gentle. We fell in love with her. Notice how her mane and my hair match!

We went to the Kerid Crater. The water depth ranges from 21-42 feet deep. The Minerals from the surrounding soil help give the lake its aquamarine color.

with Keira

Next Stop: tomato growing greenhouse visit and tomato soup lunch.

Warm Geysir steam (Keira and Colleen)

Gulfoss and a sliver of a rainbow.

Cindi’s photo of an Icelandic horse. They are so gentle!

Lisa’s capture of Geysir spouting!