Target: Mount Grebenets (left), viewed from our balcony as it towers above the town of Devin.
Grebenets at rear, taken from where we parked our car and may I add, 'a lovely shot of a certain hiker'.
Whenever we enter a new town, or old town for that matter or place we've been before or never seen, our eyes focus on any distinctive mountains surrounding the town or city. We suppose it's not surprising but nevertheless, it had to be said. Besides, a person is always looking for words to fill in-and-up a blog. After a tough drive from Sapareva Banya, we entered the town with the unusual name of Devin. Almost an English word, maybe it is, although an 'o' would be necessary rather than an 'i'. (What an educational blog!) The first attraction to grab our eyes was Grebenets, a mountain we did not know of or had expected to see. Subsequently, we researched it and after 5 days came up with information, mainly from a map purchased that proved almost worthless. We approached people on the street of the town at random and asked our usual initial question, "Do you speak English?" I think we have used that sentence more than any other. Maybe we should try: 'Do you come here often,' as an opener? You can detect we got quite desperate.
As good as we could get in a bright-light environment. The weather for the last fifteen days has been outstanding. Below, is the town of Devin as seen from the peak. It forms a 4-leaf clover setting—that's the local opinion.
'Thanks for joining us,' Jen piped up,'I believe the internet connections are pretty good up here.'
Eventually, a young man gave us an indication which got us on the right road but not to the correct place. We were seeking 'Two Bridges'. In fact, at that stage we would have settled for a single bridge. In our naivete, we expected some semblance to bridges, rock formations or at least, something. On the Sunday we attempted to find the commencement point, we noticed a rough trail but continued walking up the mountain road to where we had been guided previously. We are invariably tempted to take opportunities when we see a sort of path-beginning but this time, acted correctly or conservatively, and held back on impulsive behavior. Who says old people can't mature? Lo and behold, that turned out to be the correct path and so we returned from about a kilometer beyond after meeting a walker and his dog who guided us correctly.
Previously, after much research on the internet, canvassing the locals, pulling our hair and looking up at the peak from all angles, thinking some bad thoughts about the mountain, we were on our way. Our first and last interesting incidents on the hike were hearing a bear growl. We looked deeply into the forest but could not find the animal. Instead, we continued to enjoy the magnificent autumn foliage. As an aside, this led to a disagreement, perhaps an argument, then a fight which culminated in Jenni pouring water down my back, on the peak. What could have caused such an incident? Surely, I was not that rude or obnoxious. On second thoughts...
Making our way through a forest, beautiful though. We are on the opposite side of the mountain.
Cut him some slack, especially when you read what he had to endure.
I particularly love autumn, its colors and contrasts that abound throughout the forests, particularly viewed from height. The cooler weather, the fact that most people have returned to the cities and a host of other reasons further enhances the season. Jenni also favors such scenes and period but perhaps, less than me. She mentioned that our pictures are nice but they become boring because after all, they are shots of trees, shrubs and other flora. I had the decency not to mention 'that the pictures I take of her are probably just as boring and are a lot less colorful'. Such is my power of restraint. My modesty is slipping a little, I detect.
I muttered a few times while we were walking through the forest on a rather rough and tough trail. In fact, there was no formal trail. I hoped she would not mind me stopping a few times to take some boring pictures of what I thought were magnificent surroundings. When we reached the peak, a rather taxing effort although not too long, I think I used that line once too often—the boring scenery. For Jenni to pour water down my back, cold at that, shows how 'angry' she was. She does not behave like that—certainly hasn't in the last fifty years. Of course, now I have a dilemma. Do I withhold all these delightful, boring pictures or display some?
After we break the tree line, we see the actual peak is ahead and covered in trees. We thought we had arrived already.
The telephoto is amazing. From the top, it picks up the reflections on the river or canal.
Another of those boring pictures (see text). I suppose it depends which or who is the main subject. We are back on a mountain road as we search for our car having left the forest.
The trail was more akin to a goat or animal path than a typical track. In fact, I remarked this is what we term an 'honest' hike. It reminds a person of more natural climbing and hiking on mountains—find your own way. At one stage, Jen pulled out her markers and she wrapped them around a few trees to help us on the return. It only takes one wrong turn without realizing it and a person could find oneself close to Greece or Turkey. I could not help thinking of being lost in a forest for years which made me recall Japanese soldiers who refused to surrender or did not know the war had been over for tens of years. Then I thought of what would have happened had Japan not lost the war. I would probably be using a Sony camera. Oops! I do have a Sony. Moral of the story. If you are going to lose a war, choose your victors as the British (post Boer War) or Americans.
and yet another set from the top.
Perhaps a clearer picture of Devin from the peak.
Returning to the unmarked trail, Jen refers to these as 'Hansel and Gretel' tracks. Years before, she thought we should mark difficult paths with 'M&M's. She reckoned it would be such an incentive to place them on the trails logically, thus making it easy to find on our way back. Think of the sweet treats earned as we collected the candy on our return. How could anyone get lost. The first time we needed to use them, none could be found in my bag.
"Don't tell me you ate them all, Jeffrey?"
'I didn't mean to but I thought I should.'
"Pray tell," she answered. When she gets fancy like that I anticipate trouble.
'Look at it this way,' I began. 'If we are prepared to use 'M&M's as trails markers to help us should we get lost, how much more effective will they be if I eat them ahead of the hike and therefore, not get lost at all.'
Hence, we now use these elasticized do-dahs and hike after Jen cools off. Works for me! Although cold water down my back may be cool for her, I beg to differ.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
There's a certain satisfaction when you don't allow it to beat you...intimidate, okay but not defeat.
And just to show no ill feelings, thought another two boring pictures might do the trick.
'Ho-hum again. I know what you mean. She sure can get your goat.'
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