Hot Springs, Earthquakes, and Naked People.

After an exciting week of several earthquakes here in iceland, we were able to get out to the countryside again, blow off some steam (literally) and relax.

Bathing suits and hiking gear on, everybody packs our van for the "Hot Springs" trip. We are excited but not sure what to expect.

After a long bumpy ride down a "service road" the group gets out to learn about how energy is harnessed from all across the country. There is such an abundance of energy, everyone in the city gets free heat. Sidewalks and roads are heated year round for convenience.

Seeing the steam in the distance, we just start walking toward it. No "real" path to get us there. Another rugged adventure is about to unfold.

The terrain is unforgiving but we see our first hot springs in the distance.

First we must cross some streams and are told to watch out for hot springs that could pop up at any moment. Oh, we are also advised we may step into some boiling mud, so we need to be careful where we step.

The group treks it over the first set of streams with our excitement mounting to see larger hot springs.

As we draw near, we are overcome with the horrid stench of rotten eggs. (Actually sulfur from the hot springs)

Its a bad smell, and blowing right in our faces. We are not impressed with the muddy hot spring that is full of boiling water. How are we to swim in this stuff...

I try to force a smile through the awful stench.

Still, as I look back at our first hot spring, its pretty cool to just walk up to one.

We keep walking and stumble across a large stone valley that starts to open up. Jim waves as he looks down into the start of the valley.

Further ahead, John finds something interesting. I must go see what he is looking at.

It seems to be the source of a much larger and powerful hot spring, VERY far down.

Must get picture with steam behind. And then I see it!!!!.....

A huge beautiful valley I cannot describe.

We hike down the side of the hill and come close to the stream of boiling water.

Thankfully, this one does not smell of rotten eggs.

We come across this old drilling station where they used to harness hot water.

We walk a little further and are dodging grass that seems to just swallow you up if you are unlucky.

Adam almost gets sucked in by the ground. Thankfully he was able to recover his shoe...

We only go a little further, when our professor just says "pick a spot."

To my amazement, we just take off our clothes and get in!!

The water is VERY hot. A little hotter than most hot tubs. Takes a while to get used to it.

We build a small rock wall to make our own little hot tub.

Ahhhh.....

Then we meet some local Icelanders that decide to show off and display a manly game of mud tackle.

The group is definitely relaxing. We are getting our fill of beer, German girls, and Icelandic Boys.

But be careful, the mud swallows you up and sometimes you need to get some help from others to get out. hahaha.

John demonstrates his version of mud tackle.

The locals don't mind public nudity at all... Got our fill of breasts and butts for sure.

Fresh spring water oozes from the hillside.

Panoramas I put together with my pictures and a little help from photoshop.