I’m excited to get a look back at our Iceland trip, but it was especially fun to look back at our Hanford Reach tour. It’s so crazy to wander through a nuclear reactor and chat with folks about how it works and how they were still sorta figuring things out as they went.

On Aug 14 2021,

…we had our first full day in Iceland. And oh my, it did not disappoint. We saw several amazing waterfalls, hiked to a glacier, hit our first Icelandic craft brewery, and enjoyed yet another sunset at our campervan campsite. We even found a golf course; I FaceTimed my dad so he could see it. These are all iPhone shots—wish I had my Nikon shots handy!

A breathtaking waterfall cascades into a deep canyon surrounded by lush green landscapes under a partly cloudy sky.

A powerful waterfall cascades down a rocky landscape surrounded by lush green vegetation under a bright sky.

A waterfall cascades over a moss-covered cliff, with a rainbow forming at its base.

A majestic waterfall cascades down a lush, green cliffside into a serene pool below, with clear blue skies overhead.

A powerful waterfall cascades down a rocky cliff amidst lush green surroundings.

A glacial landscape features a rocky foreground, a lake, and a glacier set against rugged mountains under a clear blue sky.

A wide river flows over multiple rocky tiers, forming cascading waterfalls under a clear blue sky.

A person wearing a mask sits behind a flight of four beers on a wooden tray, with brewing equipment visible in the background.

A white van is parked on grass under a vibrant orange sky at sunset.

Two people are smiling for a selfie with a scenic backdrop of green hills and parked caravans.

A grassy landscape with a golf course is set against a backdrop of rugged hills under a hazy sky.

On Aug 14 2023,

…we were still in Scotland, and met up with my aunt, uncle, and cousin in Glasgow. It was great to reconnect. We also stopped by a Big Lebowski pub for lunch; nothing special, I just like this photo. (And yes, this is out of order, just because I wanted the Iceland photos as the lede).

Three people stand together, smiling in a warmly lit room with a colorful painting in the background.

A cozy cafe interior features wooden floors, a bar, seating area, and a decorative display of bowling pins.

On Aug 14 2021,

…we camped at Big Lake in the White Mountains, driving home via the scenic Salt River Canyon.

A serene landscape features a vast lake surrounded by grassy fields and dramatic, cloud-filled skies.

A stunning sunset casts vibrant colors across a cloudy sky above a lush green landscape.

A tranquil sunset reflects over a calm lake surrounded by grassy fields and silhouetted trees.

A rugged canyon landscape features towering cliffs, scattered greenery, and a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

A canyon with a river winding through it is surrounded by rugged cliffs and sparse vegetation under a clear blue sky.

A scenic view features a winding river surrounded by rocky hills and sparse vegetation under a partly cloudy sky.

A rusty metal surface with a quatrefoil cutout frames a view of a rocky landscape with a small stream running through it.

On Aug 14 2017,

…we toured the Hanford Reach B Reactor in central Washington, one of the major sites of the Manhattan Project. This was the last of the three “sub-units” of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park, so I got the last third of the 3-part national park stamp.

A man and woman are taking a selfie outdoors in front of an industrial-looking building.

A person is seated at a vintage control room filled with switches, dials, and monitors.An industrial facility features a complex network of large pipes, valves, and metal walkways.

An industrial control panel filled with numerous switches and mechanisms is prominently displayed under bright overhead lights.

A complex array of wires and circuit breakers is displayed behind a sign warning not to open it during reactor operation.

A yellow sign warns to evacuate promptly when a horn sounds, accompanied by a horn mounted above it.A vintage office scene features a drafting table with tools, a desk with a typewriter, and a fan, set against a backdrop of large machinery and wall-mounted gauges.

A narrow corridor is flanked by walls of vintage mechanical computing components and wiring with dials and numbers.

A green shelving unit displays various gas masks, gloves, and protective gear.

A circular design features the words Manhattan Project with icons for Hanford, WA; Oak Ridge, TN; and Los Alamos, NM, related to the development of the atomic bomb.

On Aug 14 2015,

…these “wild horses” (read: feral horses relocated to the White Mountain Apache Reservation from the Lower Salt River) wandered through my campsite on the Mogollon Rim and interrupted my sunset viewing.

Earlier in the day, I had attended an ASU football practice at Camp Tontozona and stopped by Pinetop Brewing.

A group of American football players in maroon and yellow uniforms are gathered on a grassy field surrounded by trees.

A person wearing sunglasses and a yellow shirt takes a selfie in front of a football game on a field surrounded by trees.

Pinetop Brewing Co. features outdoor seating with red umbrellas and a rustic wooden facade.