Home Again

Yes, we are finally home in Nashua, NH, from the last of our long-distance fall 2026 travels — a one-week tour in Iceland. 

WOW, we've had a whirlwind three months traveling in September to the UK Yorkshire Dales, taking a riverboat trip on the Snake & Columbia Rivers (Pacific Northwest) in October and then traveling to Iceland this month.

Icelandic landscapes

What were we thinking?

Obviously, timing wasn't considered as back-to-back travel is tiring. That's not a whine, as we knew this schedule beforehand and enjoyed wine on the trips. Now, we have great memories of wonderful adventures and folks we met.

Newlyweds, a toast from us, fellow travelers, our guide

Our 2026 travels are not quite over, a holiday road trip will be to visit family in NJ & PA. There's no long distance travel planned until 2027. We've already booked two within the U.S. — so much to see and, as years go by, so little time.

Sunrise and sunset

Apologies for not keeping up with your blog posts while on our most recent travels to the Pacific Northwest, then Iceland. While my iPad traveled too, there wasn't time for reading anything, including blogs. Most days, we were on the go from early morning until evening. After dinner, the only thing desired most was a shower and comfy bed. Both were enjoyed immensely.

Not the Northern Lights

Did we see the Northern Lights?

Not exactly, but I did capture these green clouds on a night when the group rode on the bus to a secluded area. The tour group was scheduled to go on a boat the first night, but rough waters prohibited that outing. It was rescheduled, but overcast conditions cancelled that outing too. The above images were captured on the bus outing, and I was told these images were green lights reflected in clouds.

Hot springs, scenics and an Icelandic horse

We returned to Nashua, NH, late Saturday after a non-stop 5-1/2 hour flight on Icelandair. Since then household chores have taken priority, laundry, grocery shopping and other necessary matters before year-end, which is coming up way too fast. And, dealing with a respiratory infection that developed on the flight home, I've been slower at getting things done this week.

Glaciers and glacial ice

If you were curious about November weather in Iceland. It was better than expected and temperatures were not frigid, daytime highs averaged in the mid 40s to 50℉ and low 40s overnight. We wore insulated footwear and dressed in layers, but didn't need other winter gear that was packed. Most days were cloudy with wind and drizzle. Our guide explained that it's not a place to carry an umbrella, just wear hooded rain gear. Ironically, the best wind and rain-free day was on an excursion to a glacial park — Iceland has a lot of glaciers and waterfalls.

A few of the many Icelandic waterfalls

This trip was arranged with RI-based Collette Tours through the Hudson, NH, Senior Center. We travelled with 16 other NH residents and were joined by another travel group from NC and a couple of other states for a total of 41. 

This group photo was taken by the tour bus driver as the group posed before a glacier field on the best weather day.

Holiday decorations in Reykjavik

The first and last day of the tour were spent in the capital city of Reykjavik. While the holiday season in Iceland officially starts with the beginning of Advent, four weeks before Christmas Eve, festive lights and decorations usually go up in early November. Halloween is modestly celebrated, but it's a modern imported tradition not an ancient local holiday and there's no Thanksgiving celebration.

There's still a couple more blog posts about the UK travels. Posts about the Pacific Northwest and Iceland trips will be lagging. There's also holiday events happening here in Nashua, NH. One thing is certain, I won't run out of blog topics for a while.

Kudos to all fellow bloggers who have been posting faithfully, I'll try to catch up with recent posts later this week. Today, I will enjoy some homemade chicken soup and a holiday film — best antidotes for not feeling well; a cozy blanket is good too.

Today, November 11, is Veterans Day honoring all military veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Navy veterans Patrick and several other ham radio veterans will transmit to other ham radio veterans from historic Fort Stark, a former military fortification in New Castle, NH.