It was really difficult to leave our idyllic cottage in Hvammtangi, but we knew we had a long drive ahead of us, so we did our best to mobilize at a reasonable time. On the way out of town, however, Audrey spotted a wool shop and wanted to check out their wares. Autumn got a pair of mittens, Audrey a hat and sweater. JD took Autumn to the back to check out the weaving looms that you were welcome to watch as the ladies turned out the most beautiful knitwear you could imagine.
Less than 10% of visitors to Iceland make it to the Westfjiords, which is exactly what drew us to the area. The main road to take you to the fjords turned to gravel in several stretches as it wove its way in and out of every single inlet. If it were not for the beautiful scenery, it would have been frustratingly slow going. We managed to make it to the Artic Fox Center in Sudavik before they closed. (We had to stop at what is quite possibly the MOST SECNIC overlook we have ever encountered on a hairpin turn leading into Sudavik.) Everything is small in this part of the country, but we weren’t expecting to be the only folks there. The center is dedicated to research on the artic fox, which is the only native land mammal in Iceland. Their population is estimated at 10,000 and healthy, with many living up in the uninhabited Hornstandir Peninsula. We especially enjoyed getting to play with the orphaned foxes in the back; one even pawed at and licked Autumn. Since they were orphaned by hunters while only 3 weeks old, this pair was especially domesticated. We continued one fjord over to Isafjidour, the hub of the Westfjiords with a population of 2,500. They have an airport in town that would make most pilots very nervous (snow-capped mountains on three sides), a hospital, and everything you’d ever possibly need. We checked into our Air Bnb, fixed some supper in the little kitchen that was part of our apartment, then set out for an evening stroll to stretch our legs after a long day in the car.
We absolutely fell in love with the town! It’s hard to put into words what it felt like to be surrounded by the mountains and glistening water and NOT in a tourist trap town. We definitely would like to come back to the area sometime soon, and perhaps explore Hornstandir Nature Reserve.
