The Monte Vista journal., 1912-11-02

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weird and indescribable beauty and
fascination of its own. There are
many riffs and assures in the lava COW
vered plains, which make it danger
GUS for strangers to roam without
guide. Many of these riffs In the
lava rock are almost hidden by the
underground and an unwary step
might precipitate one forty feet into
ice cold water of an unknown depth.
Quite close to the inn and the par
sonage is the largest rift. In the cen
ter Of this is the Rock of Laws. which
is almos: an island, where nearly 1000
years ago laws were made and judg-
ments passed Further south
detached rock is known as the blood
stone, where for certain offenses the
backs of criminals were broken and
the bodies were thrown into the deep
transparent water. which rises from
some subterranean source and runs
from the rift underground toward the
lake.
| The ruins of the booths where the
members OF the thing. or parliament.
heroes OF tho Sagas dwelt. are still
visible
Iceland an Anglers Paradise.
The Thingvalla lake teens with
J trout and char. as do almost all the
lakes and rivers in Iceland. The
rivers mostly belong to farmers who
own their own land and who charge
| from | tn . krnnar n kroner ts aDnal
to about % cents) day per rod
Trout OF from one to five pounds are
plentiful and 1t is rare occasion In
deed when one does not return with
full basket.
| There are a number Oh salmon riv
ers, the best of which is the Laxas
near Reykjavik. which is let to an
Englishman. but excellent sport can
be got In remoter districts at a mod
crate charge.
In the season excellent shooting
can be obtained No license Is re
quired and the farmers generally give
permission to shoot over their land
Ptarmigan. snipe. whimbrel. plover.
ducks and wild swan abound
Among the trips which can be TAX
en- from Reykjavik are Thingvellir
and Hekla. the latter about 5000 feet
above sea level. which is the highest
volcanic mountain in Iceland. and as
late as 1873 was in eruption and did
a great deal OF damage to the sur.
rounding farms. Fortunately. no lives
were lost II commenced on Septem.
Der and lasted over four months.
the ashes actually being carried as
far as Shetland
Excellent accommodation can be
had Mt the Parsonage. Fellsmuli. II
is usual however. to take several
pack ponies. as well as riding ponies.
to carry tents and other equipment to
camp out III the Great geyser IN In.
cluded the trip will last at least
| week
There Is an inn near the geyser
where bed can be obtained and
soap purchased Strange to say. the
Great geyser win sometimes not con.
descend to spout unless he receive.
from 20 to 60 pounds of soap. and
then he may remain sulky for full
week or even longer, but on occasions
he may squirt several times day
Why the soap Affects him In unknown.
and likely will remain unknown for all
time coming
In Reyk1ayik there is large and
handsome museum, which from ar
antiquarian point Of view ia OF i'm
mense interest Among its collection,
are many manuscripts belonging 10 tn.
old Saga writers. Under the sam,
roof is a natural history collection
embracing specimens OF all the ami
mails. birds and fish in Iceland. Their,
is also splendid library and good
reading room with some thousands o.
books OF reference In lcelandic Eng
! lish. German and French