Newlyweds find success in long-distance relationship

MOSES LAKE — People often say vacations create memories lasting a lifetime.

When Erin Jorgensen from Moses Lake approached Einar Steinarsson before embarking on a hike in Iceland, asking if he knew where the guides were, she was on her way to taking the idea of a lasting memory one step further.

It turned out Einar, now her husband, was her guide. Their 2003 meeting was even more of a chance encounter due to the original guide and his replacement being unable to work, leaving Einar in their place. He made what would be a wise decision to hitchhike in order to reach the starting point located in Oldufell.

As the group trekked across a glacier with crampons (spiked devices for shoes) underfoot, Erin and Einar bonded in part because they spoke English to each other while most hikers spoke Icelandic, with Einar translating much of the time.

When the group reached the end of the hike, Erin had three days left on her vacation and Einar asked if they could spend them together.

"It's unprofessional to do anything like that on the trip," Einar admitted. "But I liked her the first time I saw her."

Einar immediately took time off and the soon-to-be-couple spent the next few days taking part in one of Iceland's biggest celebrations of the year.

They exchanged e-mails before Erin returned to New York and Einar said he waited about 10 minutes after she left to send her an e-mail.

Among their cross-continental visits was a trip to New York after Einar sustained an injury.

"I was skiing and broke my ankle and thought it was the perfect excuse," he said.

Erin's job as a photographer separated them when she left New York for an assignment. In her work-related travels, including Los Angeles and Las Vegas, she photographed nature and entertainment.

"She left me alone a few times in New York limping around," Einar said.

He spent his time people-watching.

Einar's job as a mountain guide brings him and Erin to different locations such as New Zealand, where they lived together for two months, but not all his of work travel allows them to be together. Erin said she didn't spend as much time outdoors before meeting him. Since their meeting, Erin became a ski instructor in British Columbia and a guide in Iceland.

"I would never go back to my previous life," she said.

Besides traveling for work, the couple travels together for ski vacations, coalescing a large amount of equipment adding to their costs when they pay airport fees for having oversized baggage.

Einar said it's difficult not having a home base because there is so much to transport each time they relocate. They are thinking of getting duplicates of their equipment and for now use a minivan as a storage container.

"We're definitely fed up with traveling," Einar said.

They are working on dual citizenship to live in either Iceland or the United States. The process requires them to establish residence in a location for six consecutive months, something which is on hold for the time being while Einar works on receiving his international mountain guide certification in British Columbia.

Einar is soon heading to British Columbia and Erin is leaving for Iceland in May.

"I'm sure we'll break down and he'll come to Iceland," Erin said.

They say their time together is worth the stress associated with their on-the-go lifestyle and there's a silver lining in the cloud of being apart, sometimes up to three months.

Einar said they're more appreciative of their time together and do not clash over petty issues.

"Don't give up and use the moment you have," Einar said. "It's worth it."

"Get a good phone card plan. That's a key part of it," Erin added.

They married in British Columbia last November and say they are ready to slow down and settle perhaps in Iceland or a town like Leavenworth.

"We're anxious for some kind of normalcy," Erin said.