Here We Go: Part I -- Iceland

Boston, Massachusetts
Latitude 42.58" N
August 26th, 2011

Here we go! Bags packed, first flight taken from Plattsburgh to Boston. Seven hour wait for Iceland Air flight to Reykjavik at 2:30 this afternoon. Free Wi-Fi at Logan International. Yay!

I’ve said this before, and it bears saying again….sometimes the hardest thing about traveling is just getting out of town.

This was not an easy summer—neither relaxing, nor lazy. It seemed as if all I did was jump from one thing to another. Of course, this is not new. There was a time I thought retirement would be one long, lazy summer day, but I was wrong. It seems as if I try to cram as much into a day as possible.

But, we are past that. The multiple things on my list to do are checked off, and we are now just waiting.

Waiting for what?

For the next two weeks I will be in Iceland. Steve, unfortunately, has to return on September 4th. I’ll stick around for five more days, and then fly on to Copenhagen on September 9th where I’ll meet Glenda and friends Pam and Graden Topping of Shelburne, Vermont. On the 11th we pick up a 24 day cruise that will go as far north as St. Petersburg, Russia, with stops in Tallinn, Estonia, Rostock, Germany, Helsinki, Finland, Stockholm, Sweden, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Bruges, Belgium, Lisbon, Portugal and finally to the Azores. After a five day, port-free cruise through Atlantic waters during the height of the hurricane season, it will ultimately drop us off in Florida 24 days later. From there I pick up a car, revisit the state and a few people I know. On October 15th I drop the car off in Miami and come home via Mexico City. I’ll return to Montreal 10 weeks from today.

This has been one difficult trip to pack for--multiple eco systems, a variety of social situations. Cold weather in Iceland, proper clothing for a long cruise, then warm weather in Florida and cooler temps in Mexico City.

We are fortunate to be leaving today.  Hurricane Irene is pummeling her way north with Boston as a direct Category 2 hit on Sunday.  But today...it's clear and 79 and the view from the Icelandic Air lounge is lovely--a tranquil harbor, neaer the sea, at high tide.

I know I should be excited, but that will come later. A long time ago I learned not to create any expectations, and that has served well over the years. Each place is a new discovery, free of pre-conceived ideas.

Life is good. I am blessed beyond words and I am never unaware of this privilege that has been afforded me. Thank you Gracious God.

Next stop…Reykjavik, Iceland