So Much Iceland

American Airlines joins Iceland avalanche with service from DFW Airport

American Airlines is hurrying to jump on this Iceland thing.

Photo courtesy of American Airlines

Dallas travelers are about to go from "no direct flights to Iceland" to suddenly "all the direct flights to Iceland a person could ever want," with a third airline joining the DFW-KEF fray.

DFW's own American Airlines is me-too-ing its way into the Iceland mix by adding service to Reykjavik-Keflavik, Iceland (KEF) in summer 2018. Its service to Iceland's capital and largest city begins June 7 from American's Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) hub.

AA VP Vasu Raja claims that the new service is prompted by the fact that Iceland has become popular.

"Reykjavik has become a very popular leisure destination and we look forward to giving our customers the opportunity to experience Iceland's unique landscape of geysers, volcanoes, and hot springs with our new direct service next summer," Raja says in a release. "The new destination complements our continued growth from Dallas-Fort Worth, including Rome and Amsterdam."

But Iceland has been popular for a while, though. American's decision to introduce service from DFW to Iceland surely has nothing to do with responding to a similar decision by Icelandair, the country's elder airline statesman, which announced that it will offer flights between Reykjavík Keflavik International and DFW four times a week, beginning in May 2018.

And Icelandair's decision to introduce service from DFW to KEF had toootally nothing to do with trying to compete with the trailblazing service from groovy new airline WOW air, who first announced service between DFW and Iceland in early September. WOW air will offer non-stop access to Reykjavik, Iceland, with flights going out three times per week on a seasonal basis.

Airline world, so competitive.

American Airlines' route will be flown on a 176-seat Boeing 757-200, featuring "lie-flat" Business Class seats, Casper bedding, and Cole Haan amenity kits in the premium cabin.

Flights go on sale on November 20. Service dates will run through the summer as follows:

DFW–KEF: June 7-Oct. 26
KEF–DFW: June 8-Oct. 27

DFW to KEF flights will depart DFW at 8:20 pm and arrive at KEF at 9:15 am.

KEF to DFW flights will depart DFW at 11:10 am and arrives at DFW at 2:50 pm the next day.

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STILL STANDING

Quirky Stonehenge replica in Texas survived the devastating floods

Stonehenge II/ Facebook

Stonehenge II is undamaged after the Independence Day catastrophe.

One of the weirdest art installations in Texas' Hill Country has weathered the crushing Texas floods: Stonehenge II, an almost-to-scale replica of the ancient English landmark, was undamaged by recent flooding, according to Hill Country Arts Foundation, the 65-year-old arts nonprofit responsible for its upkeep.

Although the monument itself was unscathed, several adjacent facilities were damaged, including its black box theater, outdoor theater, offices, tech shop, and ceramics studio. The center will be shuttered until further notice.

“The recent flood did a lot of damage to the property, though Stonehenge II was undamaged,” wrote an HCAF rep. “The property is closed at this time.”

Actor and rancher Al Sheppard erected the curiosity in 1989 with help from neighbor Doug Hill. As the story goes, Hill gifted Sheppard a limestone slab left over from a patio project. Hill stood it in the middle of his pasture.

“Sheppard and Hill liked the look of the monolith and built an arch around it,” explains signage at the property. “The 13-foot arch reminded them of Stonehenge in England. Soon, a vision formed, and Sheppard contracted Hill to build their very own Stonehenge II.”

The remainder of the stones were made from steel, metal lathe, and plaster, anchored in cement. The full circle is 90 percent as wide as the original and 60 percent as tall.

A few years later, Sheppard visited Rapa Nui, or Easter Island. Two maoi statues were added to the original Hunt, Texas site. After Sheppard’s passing, his family donated the sculptures to HCAF, which moved the massive installation to Ingram in 2012.

Although travel website Far & Wide dubbed it “the most boring tourist trap” in Texas, it has remained a symbol of local pride. HCAF even hosts weddings on the property.

The sense of humor about the sculpture remains in place, even as HCAF’s facilities were ravaged by the violent weather. The foundation acts as a hub of artistic education, theatrical performances, and exhibitions throughout the year.

Arts patrons can help HCAF repair its grounds via its online portal. The nonprofit also recommends donating to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund through the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country.

easter island hill country monuments stonehenge tourisrm travels sculptures weather

So Much Iceland

American Airlines joins Iceland avalanche with service from DFW Airport

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