Apparently, August 13th has been an eventful day for me over the years. Iceland was one of my all-time favorite trips, so it’s going to be fun seeing photos for the next week plus. Until Africa, the Angle Inlet border crossing (near the bottom) was the weirdest I’ve been to.

On Aug 13 2023,

…we continued our time in Scotland, just Jen and I at this point.

Sheep graze in a lush green field with an ancient stone castle and misty mountains in the background.

A small, ancient castle is situated on an island surrounded by water, with lush greenery in the foreground and a cloudy sky above.

A serene lake is surrounded by lush greenery and mountains under a cloudy sky.

A pile of rusty chains lies on a concrete surface near a lake, with grassy hills and mist-covered mountains in the background under a cloudy sky.

A serene canal with reflective water is flanked by green grass and stone walls, leading to a village under a cloudy sky.

On Aug 13 2022,

…I did an evening paddle with my friend Brittany.

A scenic landscape features rugged, reddish-brown mountains, lush greenery, a river, and cacti under a clear sky.

A person in a pink kayak paddles on a calm river surrounded by lush greenery with towering, rugged mountains in the background under a vibrant blue sky.

A person is kayaking on a river surrounded by mountainous terrain and lush greenery under a cloudy sky.

Silhouetted mountains stand beneath a cloudy, dimly lit sky.

On Aug 13 2021,

…Jen and I landed in Iceland and picked up a campervan, our home for the next ten or so days. We grabbed some supplies, took a nap, and started exploring Thingvellir National Park.

A man and a woman wearing sunglasses are smiling inside a vehicle.

A gravel path winds through a green and rocky landscape under a blue sky with fluffy clouds.

A scenic view showcases a landscape of blue waters, rocky terrain, and distant hills under a clear sky.

A scenic landscape features rocky cliffs, a winding river, lush greenery, distant mountains, and a partly cloudy sky.

A waterfall cascades over a rocky cliff into a stream surrounded by boulders.

A white van is parked on a grassy field under a colorful sunset sky with mountains in the background.

On Aug 13 2020,

…I brought a couple bartender friends, a regular from the bar, and Jen on a morning paddle down the Salt River.

A person is kayaking on a serene river surrounded by lush vegetation and rocky cliffs, with the sun setting on the horizon.

A person is kayaking on a tranquil river surrounded by lush greenery and rocky cliffs under a partly cloudy sky.

A person is kayaking on a river surrounded by rocky cliffs and greenery under a partly cloudy sky.

Two people are kayaking on a calm river surrounded by rocky cliffs and lush greenery under a partly cloudy sky.

Four people are kayaking down a river surrounded by rocky cliffs and lush greenery under a partly cloudy sky.

Several people are kayaking on a river surrounded by lush greenery and rocky hills under a bright blue sky.

On Aug 13 2017,

…we spent the day at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument in central Oregon, my 379th national park unit.

A stunning landscape showcases rolling, multicolored hills and valleys with cloudy skies in the background.

A wooden walkway winds through rolling hills of red earth under a partly cloudy sky.

A green road sign displays the message Curve 58.8 against a backdrop of a hillside with trees.

A yellow road sign with a silhouette of a deer stands beside a rural road amidst a landscape of hills and sparse vegetation.

A person is holding a 379 sign next to a National Park Service sign for John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Sheep Rock Unit.

On Aug 13 2013,

…I visited what is now New River Gorge National Park, Gauley River National Recreation Area, and Bluestone National Scenic River—quite the busy day!

A large steel arch bridge towers over a lush, foggy forest landscape.

A serene river flows over a series of small waterfalls surrounded by lush green hills and trees.

A person with a backpack is standing in front of a flowing river with a lush forest in the background.

A person is holding a sign with #277 while standing on a wooden platform with a foggy mountain backdrop.

On Aug 13 2012,

…I visited that silly little notch in the northern border of Minnesota. To get there, you have to cross into Canada and then back into the US—using a videophone booth to clear immigration and customs each time. It’s a trip. There’s no security, you just stop because that’s what you should do. You enter, pick up the phone handset and press a button to start the one-way video call. YOu answer some basic questions, hold your passport up for viewing (no scanning), and…well, that’s about it.

A wooden booth marked YOUNG'S BAY IMMIGRATION CUSTOMS REPORTING STATION with accompanying signs for U.S. Customs and Canada Border Services stands among trees and rocky ground.

A man holding a U.S. passport looks surprised in front of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspection site panel.

I also apparently decided to officially adopt my High Points of Otherwise Flat States quest this day (which I just finished in May).

Scott Jones shares thoughts on visiting high points in Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa, with plans to include others in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.