Nothing can be more satisfying than the old-fashioned venerable road trip: cruising mindlessly across the landscape along vast ribbons of winding asphalt that stretches for miles along virtual windows which showcase mountains, seas, and various flora and fauna — perhaps accompanied by favorite tunes to help further set the mood.
Sunday Morning Photograph August 8 2021: Roads in Iceland
The United States is arguably the first thought when imagining a legendary road trip — and, of course, any accolades to that are justifiably worthy — but other countries also offer the potential for an amazing experience for the leisure motorist.
One of those countries is Iceland, where — outside of Reykjavik and the highway between that capital city and Keflavik International Airport — no road is wider than two lanes. In some places, you can barely see mere meters ahead of you; and in other places, you can see for multiple kilometers.
In other places, smooth asphalt accedes to rutted gravel and dirt — even on the main highway in one area of southern Iceland — and for some roads, vast potholes which seem to rival volcanic craters and lurk to fully attack any wheels which violate its territorial space.
Gently sloping green fields give way to bright golden hills, which then segue into azure blue waters and rugged brown mountains — some of them topped with white snow and others speckled with a few structures constructed by humans — and wind, sun, rain, snow, heat, cold, mist, and fog can be experienced with one relatively short drive…
…but the occasional road sign will remind you that life is not completely carefree at all times — even in an idyllic and bucolic country such as Iceland — and the clouds reach down towards the ground as if to obscure and restrict your freedom and clear outlook on life.
Not to worry, though: clear bright blue skies may very well await you around the next bend on what seems to be a lonesome highway; and you can once again effortlessly breeze by along the byways.
Final Boarding Call
I have taken road trips in quite a few countries around the world: in addition to Iceland, the United States, and southern Africa are only three regions of the world which have been the most memorable for me — and I would recommend that if given the opportunity to do so, take advantage of it, as the experience is well worth everything; and will give you memories of a lifetime.
All photographs ©2018 by Brian Cohen.
