The LONG Way Around the World: Things We've Learned So Far

Playgrounds vs Landmarks
We're not tourist folk. But we are park folk. One of the great advantages we have found in having the children part of this adventure, is their desire to visit the local playgrounds. It's a great place for the kids to burn off some energy, and an even better place for Nicole and I to sit, relax, and integrate just a little more with the locals. Locals don't go to places with signs in five languages, and lines for the bathroom. Don't get me wrong, there will still be plenty of joining the crowd, but I'm going to thoroughly enjoy the playground respites. Oh, and Iceland has three tremendously fun and dangerous playground apparati: zip lines, inflatable bounce domes, and this inverted see-saw on a spring poll thing.

Long road trips must be avoided
Iceland included an ample amount of driving and moving from one place to the next. It was clear that we were in better spirits on the days we only had short day trips from a home base. I think we have about a 2 hour limit in a car for the day before we all go a little wacky.

Tetris Effect

Traveling with five people for a year on a tight budget turns life in to a game of Tetris (let me explain!). Packing our car is a puzzle - "Honey, hand me something I can stick in this crack, and I think we're good". Our accommodations are comfortable, not luxurious, and often small - Unpacking and finding homes for our gear is tough. Grocery bags aren't cheap, so jamming three days of food in two bags takes effort and elicits a question from the clerk, "you want to buy another bag?"..."nope, we're good. Here, Zane, carry this loaf of bread."

2 of 5 Long family members are sensitive to jet lag

Zane spent his first four days either sleeping, or naustious. After 5 sleepless nights, Steve found out that a little benedryl before bed does the trick. Last night was the first unmedicated night of full sleep. Fortunately we only have a couple more long jumps to contend with.

If we keep this pace, we should be fine

We started our year abroad in arguably one of the more expensive places to travel on Earth. It's no joke, it's expensive to travel Iceland. A quick trip to the government controlled alcohol store (The Vinbudin), and being initially excited by the $4 label under the six pack of a local lager beer, only to find out that it was for one of the six beers, was an eye opener. But after carefully budgeting the expenses for the year, and sticking to our plan of frequenting the grocery stores, has really paid off. My project manager side of me is happy to say we are on time and under budget!

Too much of one thing...
Iceland is a waterfall heaven. Best I have ever seen. Puts Yosemite to shame. But geez, they're everywhere, and once you have saturated yourself with a half-dozen of some amazing falls, you begin to just take sideways glances and mutter... "Another foss, keep moving". (Foss is waterfall in Icelandic). Chances are when we near the end of our British Isles journey, we'll blow past castles and churches like they are McDonald's or Starbucks.