Ride three, part one

The third ride in the Eldhestar Exclusive package took place in the Icelandic highlands, which are not next door to Ölfus. We climbed into the truck extra early that morning and drove a long way into the Iceland's remote interior.

My first mount was a small, bay gelding called Grettír.

I googled his name later and learned it was Icelandic for Grumpy. That may have been appropriate to his appearance, but I found him to be a cheerful mount, forward, handy and with a very nice tölt.

We rode back to the highway and followed it for a little bit.

It took us to a river.

We crossed it without ever getting our feet wet. After the previous day's ride, I was ready to cross any body of water, anywhere so this was just a little bit disappointing.

But, to be fair, it was a pretty big river.

We rode past several pastures filled with horses.

Hi, guys!

Then we took a left and rode away from the highway.

Almost immediately, Karin pulled over to the edge so that we could see the view.

Stunning!

You know it's special when even the guide takes a photo.

We backtracked to the trail and rode on.

The scenery was vast and forbidding, in a Game of Thrones kind of way.

Off in the distance, we spotted a waterfall.

Iceland is famous for its waterfalls, so I was glad to see one, even if it was not close.

We rode on.

We took a left...

and there was that river again!

This time we rode right through it.

The water was crystal clear.

Amazing.

We rode on through a hilly, green section.

Then - randomly - we arrived at a small corral. Karin told us to dismount and bring the horses inside. We took their saddles, nosebands and reins off and turned them free. They did exactly what you'd expect them to do. Geimstein - the only grey - did it three times.

It seemed awfully early for our lunch break, but what else could this be?

To be continued.