Gullfoss

Gullfoss is one of Iceland’s most popular tourist destinations. I generally like to stay off the beaten path, but in this case I made an exception. There’s a reason so many travelers stop to marvel at this waterfall: it is simply spectacular. Years ago investors wanted to dam this river to produce electricity, but nothing ever came of it except a persistent urban legend in which the daughter of one of the investors threatens to throw herself into the waters of Gullfoss if anyone dares to defile this natural wonder. True or not, nature-lovers everywhere (including me) love this tale.

The weather in Iceland is extreme. It was raining when we arrived, and I was glad of that because it produced the rainbow for my photo. Five minutes later it was snowing. Then it stopped and the sun came out. Then it hailed…sideways.