Note: This post (Departing for Iceland – Day 1) is from my daily journal on our DIY European vacation. You can find an overview of the trip here with links to all the published days. I am publishing each day consecutively so follow along and enjoy!

Departing for Iceland

What a morning! We packed late last night, and then I tried to sleep, but I kept thinking about things I thought I might forget, and it kept me up. Kirsten (my 15-year-old daughter) also was so excited she stayed up all night! We are going to pay for this later I am sure.

After breakfast, we finished packing, loaded up everything and headed to the airport. It was sad saying goodbye to Chic (my mother in law) and especially to Beau (our Shih Tzu). Beau sat in the car and seemed to say, “Take me with you!”. We said our goodbyes and headed in to drop off our bags.

After we got to the airport, we checked five bags leaving one carry-on to carry, and then we breezed through TSA Precheck. Kaylee got busted in the metal detector for her Birkenstocks. We then went to Qdoba to eat.

On our way to our gate, we stopped by the Glassy Baby booth to look at their cool colors. Glassy Baby candle votives are Steph’s favorite! Steph picked out “Courage,” “Coal,” and “Grateful Red” as her favorites. Then we went to the gate and waited for boarding.

While we were waiting, a voice came on the intercom and offered to check bags for free to the final destination, which we gladly did for our last bag (score!). We then boarded our flight headed to Salt Lake City.

Mt Rainier

As we took off I had to take a few pics of Mt Rainier! It was a great view and reminded me of when I climbed it back in 1996.

Salt Lake Layover

After a hard landing, we arrived to 90+ degree weather in SLC! We didn’t have much of a layover as our flight started boarding about 10 minutes after we got to the gate. This was just enough time to walk from terminal C to terminal D, where we ended up waiting for the flight crew. Three flights were leaving at the same time from the end of the terminal, and with the crowds, it was hot and irritating. We were glad to get on the plane and take off departing for Iceland!

Departing for Iceland – Flight to Reykjavik

The flight to Minneapolis was pretty uneventful. We landed and deplaned at 8:43 PM and headed to our final flight to Reykjavik. When we got to the gate, we were all hungry, so we ordered some food from a bar to go. Right after we ordered they started boarding our flight. We waited for our food for a bit but luckily we got our food and proceeded to board.

On the plane Steph and I ate our meals before the flight left, eating a few bites here and there as the stewardesses walked by. After we took off I watched a movie called “13:15 To Paris”, which was about three friends that grow up together and stop a terrorist attack on a train. Nothing like watching terrorist movies while you are traveling.

On the flight, the stewardess serving drinks doused me with water and juice several times unintentionally. I grabbed a napkin off her cart and cleaned myself up. She realized what happened she was very apologetic and gave Steph and I white wine after which she checked on us several times. I think she felt guilty! Lol.

Steph and I are trying to get a few hours sleep now. I hope I hold up tomorrow! I doubt Kirsten will after staying up all night last night. We need to stay up to help with our jet lag and to get accustomed to the new time zone.

Go to Day 2 – Driving in Iceland

Lessons From the Day

1. Bring sleep aid for long flights – Unless you want to watch movies the whole trip (our kids love long trips because of that).
2. Bring a night mask – On long trips, a soft night mask will be your friend, especially in the summer in Iceland where it is light 22 hours a day.
3. Check extra luggage later at the gate – to avoid excess baggage fees that could be $50 or more per bag.
4. TSA Precheck is your friend – It is worth the hassle of signing up for it if you travel often.
5. Be kind to your stewardesses – They will return the favor and take care of you!