Today was our longest hike. We took a boat from Isafjordur to the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, the largest nature reserve in Iceland. This is a spot that very few travelers ever see. In fact, we saw no one on our six-hour hike. We tasted native plants, crossed streams, and got our hiking boots nice and muddy. Our guides, Lisbet and Julie told us about the area and about life in Iceland. Tomorrow we’ll do a walk around Isafjordur with Lisbet, who grew up here. She told us what it’s like when cruise ships come in bringing 7,000+ people to this town of 2,500. One such ship comes Saturday so we’re planning on getting out of town for a few hours to avoid the crowds.

— Katrina & Micah