UWAA Alumni Travel Program

 

By Tori Campbell and Donna Yocum 

 

All University of Wyoming alumni and friends are invited to explore the UWAA Alumni Travel Program, an opportunity to learn, connect and discover alongside fellow curious minds. For those seeking smaller groups, hands-on experiences and deeper cultural immersion, the Alumni Study Tours offer unforgettable adventures that connect Pokes across the globe. 

This spring, mother-daughter duo Tori Campbell and Donna Yocum joined Interim Provost Anne Alexander and Professor Tristan Wallhead on a journey through Iceland — the “Land of Fire and Ice.” Here’s a glimpse into their rugged and unforgettable adventure. 

 

Wyoming and Iceland: Rugged, Expansive and Adventurous 
Our April 2025 journey to Iceland was a deep dive into volcanic terrain, expansive vistas of mountains, glaciers and ocean, and hands-on adventures in hiking, horseback riding and dining. The trip revealed striking parallels with life in Wyoming. 

Both places celebrate wide open spaces and low population density. Iceland’s coastline, glaciers and volcanic highlands echo Wyoming’s mountains and plains in their sense of scale and solitude. Circumnavigating the island, we visited multiple waterfalls daily and felt the same expansive sweep that defines Wyoming. 

The weather shaped our experience. The first and last days brought brutal wind, rain and cold, while most days offered mild springlike conditions. Like Wyoming, Iceland’s weather can change quickly, so flexibility is essential for outdoor activities.

 

Culture and Language 
Iceland’s Norse and Viking roots create a culture rich in folklore and myth. Wyoming’s cowboy heritage shares its affinity for resilience, independence and storytelling. Iceland’s trolls bring Christmas gifts to well-behaved children and a rotten potato to naughty ones. 

Icelandic combines descriptive elements into single words. The famous volcano Eyjafjallajökull (“eyja” island, “fjall” mountain, “jökull” glacier) is easier to pronounce once broken into parts. 

 

Nearly Forty Active Fissure Volcanos in Iceland 
The week prior to our trip, Eyjafjallajökull erupted and closed the Blue Lagoon. Thankfully, Iceland’s version of WYDOT quickly rerouted roads around lava flows, allowing us to soak in the cloudy blue waters, apply silica masks and enjoy a warm welcome to Iceland. Two more times, we enjoyed natural hot springs and practiced Iceland’s strict hygiene custom of showering without swimwear before entering public baths — a sharp contrast to Wyoming. 

Geothermal energy shapes Icelandic life — hot water and heat are abundant, and geothermal pools are a national pastime. Over 10 percent of the island is covered by glaciers that yield more than 10,000 waterfalls. 

Agriculture relies heavily on greenhouses. A visit to a tomato hothouse producing over two tons per day highlighted local innovation. Even sheep and cattle spend most of the year indoors to escape harsh weather. 

Our group of 10 adventurous ambassadors, including UW faculty Anne Alexander and Tristan Wallhead and guide Ragna, found that travel naturally invites comparison to home. Icelanders are resilient stewards and fiercely supportive of family and community — traits we also enjoy in Wyoming. We returned grateful for the island’s waterfalls, hot springs, glaciers and generous people, eager to carry those memories into future UW Alumni Study Tours.