Argentina: Some perspective of the cover picture, at sunrise.

The middle peak, Cerro Torre, is the cover picture from distance, Cerro Fitz Roy, to its right. 

  The mountain without a name...let's call it 'Argee'.

A ski-slope?
A 'cheeky' Cerro Torre catches the light in the distance, one early morning; or maybe it's a large cat.

San Diego: 'Downtime in downtown': Of Tunnel Vision, Solicitors and Advocates, plus Nature's coloring and artistry.

  This blog deals with a number of city hikes with the focus narrowed to controversial aspects of tunnel vision. This will follow after a few introductory photographs showing some early spring moves of nature.  

  As an aside, many people are very fond of San Diego and its position situate between the desert and ocean, with many residences resting on the surrounding hills, not forgetting an attractive downtown. We find our primary attraction of the city is its pearls: 

ELLIE and BENNY, G-d bless them.

We think our late parents might (big might) feel they did something right in bringing us up as we appreciate the obvious beauty. We might have finally redeemed ourselves (partially).
A scene in Bankers' Hill.
A tree view of downtown San Diego. Next time, we intend framing a plane.
After publishing the blog, the following day we headed out with a purpose, taking a good break from the stock market. We did 'frame' a plane. Jenni mentioned that 'someone' had asked her recently when we intended 'growing up'. I thought she answered appropriately: "Never, if possible."
Following the above plane of thought...um...probably should be train of thought, Jen told me that she no longer wishes to live in Mission Hills. Why would she not want to stay in this wonderful region? I was puzzled. Apparently, one of us spends his free time acting like a 'flower child' with camera, chasing aircraft and searching for planes in tunnels, up trees and once, even on our roof. I suppose, who can blame her. 

An American version of 'Trooping the color' although repositioning the flag would be appropriate.
Enjoyed this one. It appears the California Tower is modernizing its spire or offering blessings to fliers (with respect, of course).
  We have explored Mission Hills and the surround quite extensively over the past month. It's now time to move onwards and upwards although we did make a small change in our plans, so we'll be relocating for a short period to another apartment before flying away. Talking of flights, we have studied the flight paths of planes approaching and departing San Diego International Airport frequently. Even more fascinating is observing the relationship of the aircraft to the surrounding buildings, roadways, ocean and bays, amongst other things. 

  One thing that has elluded us thus far has been aircraft flying through tunnels. Sounds ridiculous but might not be as silly as a reader might deduce. We walk through a short tunnel often which lies under the I-5 Freeway, part of Laurel Street. One of us wondered whether planes could fly through this tunnel and so we set out to test this possibility. On an earlier occasion, we looked up after hearing the pounding sound of a jet above and were struck by the sight of what appeared to be a plane leaving the tunnel. On each walk, we waited for a while at the tunnel entrance to see whether what we had witnessed would be replicated. Alas, planes flew over and further to the flanks but none through. 

  On our walk today, we were about to turn right into State Street coming down the hill when I convinced Jen we should attempt one last time to implement our brand of tunnel-vision. However, in order to be well-positioned for a photograph, Jen would stand about 100 yards before the tunnel entrance where she would be able to see approaching aircraft in the distance. (See below)

   I would stand close to the tunnel entrance where I could not spot a plane until it flew from the tunnel exit. Effectively, Jen was the solicitor while I had my back to her (much of the time) facing toward the tunnel with the camera settings prepared. Upon Jen spotting a plane, she would raise her arm at which time I would turn to face the tunnel entrance, looking through it, camera at eye-level, hoping to capture the subject. 

  As is expected, whenever we set out to undertake such functions, it appears that pilots are on a break. Of course, when we walk around not ready to snap a photograph, said pilots seem to be busy flying and effectively, showing off via incredibly entertaining positions. Today was no exception. Jen stood up on a corner soliciting the planes to approach while I kept my eye on her arm as well as the tunnel (frequent neck twists), ensuring the camera remained in active mode, not allowing it to 'sleep' through non-use. 

  As an aside, something I never could have projected, while Jen acted as our aircraft solicitor, it appeared that others interpreted her function differently. While standing on the street corner, a number of males approached her as they viewed her concept of soliciting very differently. I'm most embarrassed and would like to punch a number of guys solidly, following the eventual realization of my naivete. Nevertheless, I suppose it's nice for her to know she still has it (turns heads), my lovely senior. It turns out that she also made a few bucks on the side. We were looking a little untidy in our hiking gear; some generous souls took her for a homeless person. Truth be told, there is much truth in that presumption. 

  Jen's arm shot up, my camera became active, I turned, aimed the camera through the tunnel, waited, hoping the plane would be in my line of sight and clicked. The result: Photographs below. 

Alaska Airlines gets the green light as it flies on the other side of the short tunnel...(India and Laurel Streets with the black upper part being part of the tunnel wall).
Delta Airlines' tail scrapes the under section of the tunnel roof while the vehicles pause for the red light.
Our conclusion after extensive study of flights in and around San Diego: Alaska is a 'smooth' airline while Delta appears to scrape along.  

"We see trees of green, red roses, too." The words of Louis Armstrong acknowledged in an earlier blog from Pokhara, Nepal.
Cascading color and the 'Lady in Red'...um...black.
Some of the flora of Mission Hills and neighboring suburbs continue to attract attention. 

'For whom the bells toll'.

Jen takes the gap. 

  Jen goes native as she enters the bush.

 Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

Former 'plane solicitor, subsequently changed position to that of a spotter, gives the signal of an approaching aircraft. New title saves harassment and embarrassment. (see above, tunnel vision section for 'enlightenment'.)

66.38 Nepal: Greater Pokhara Region: A few highlights from a magnificent trip.

  We stopped producing blogs for Nepal as we had covered Pokhara over a 3-months period. Obviously, the coverage is superficial, nevertheless, it's sufficient to gain some perspective. There are incomplete blogs covering at least another fifteen hikes not shown. This ultimate one focuses on the incredible Annapurna Range and a few other attractive spots within the region. 

  Truth be told, one begins including a photograph which leads to a story, a sequence, interesting incidents and off one heads and there is no end. So, we halted. Besides the photographs, we include a short essay on, we suppose, altitude, something quite relevant in this part of the world. We would like to believe we are still having a continuing 'General MacArthur moment': "We shall return." 

 A view of the Annapurna Range from Begnastal.
Lost a number of peaks.

A scene at Shiva Temple showing two of the 4 faces (values) of the lord.
  We learn continuously in Nepal that life over here is one stepping-stone after another. We are invariably going up or down; level movement is not a common form of motion. We also learned recently, source unknown or perhaps 'non-existent', that the Nepalese have a secret admiration for the apple. It's nothing to do with fruit although they do love 'I-phones'. Rather, it's that Big Apple aka, New York City. 

  Contrary to common belief, the locals love height. Give them a hill, a mountain and be assured they'll build a temple, a house or hotel upon it. They are much like the Swiss in that respect except they reach very much higher. They do have conflict with New Yorkers though. Whereas the latter build high and live tall, they are somewhat lazier than the Nepalese. The Apple people depend on elevators and escalators. The mountain people don't—they walk, climb and carry. We have yet to ride in an elevator over in this country. Bear in mind that we invariably carry more than 100 lbs. of luggage with us when we travel overseas. Try that up 5-6 flights of steps...we don't often. 

  Instead of constructing skyscrapers, the Nepalese perfected a different system which might be considered smarter than New Yorkers (between you and we). To avoid utilizing elevators, fire-escapes and all those lazy features so common nowadays, they cut out the 'middleman' in their endeavor to live in the clouds or scrape the sky. Obviously, they identify high mountains and build low-storey buildings at those peaks as well as at lower elevations, too. Instead of constructing a 50-storey edifice which allows residents at the top to live 'near the sky', the Nepalese begin building at much, much higher altitudes. This concept allows for low cost, low-storey-buildings to house tenants at much higher altitudes. No elevators required, no gymnasium necessary, no weight watching classes, and best of all, residents live with their heads in the clouds. 

  It should be mentioned, while the price of merchandise ordered for delivery to these high places is competitive, delivery charges are a little pricey though. Then again, someone forgot one or two little details in their excitement while seeking height. In addition, one's thinking tends to be a little erratic at high altitude so one should not be judgmental. We remember one year paying the equivalent of 50 cents for a Coke in Kathmandu and at Everest base camp, at 18,000 feet, nearly 7 dollars. While I felt spoilt, the delivery cost was in fact, extremely cheap relative to the effort required. 

  To conclude, New Yorkers built the Empire State Building reaching an altitude of 1,454 feet. Are you serious? Recently, we slept in a building at over 18,000 feet. In our ongoing mission to 'save the world', no air conditioning or heaters (or hot water), oy vey! Not so keen to save the world any longer; we are trying to save our souls now, more convenient, maybe even tougher. One more statistic: The Empire State has seventy-three elevators. Guess how many we had for those nights? 

  Heck, we cut down our oxygen intake, hardly used electricity, did not shower or wash clothes and to be fair, we admit using much deodorant. Do we qualify for an emissions rebate (besides odors) subsidy or tariff reduction?

Another site viewing the glorious sight of the range.
A favorite at dawn from the town of Begnastal.
A night view of Pokhara from Sarangkot, a tough climb.
Between Shanti Stupa and Shiva Temple, a view of the city and Phewa Lake.
Early morning scene replicated below after full sunrise.
Daylight version of the above scene.
The magnificent Machapuchare after a snowfall, only the third in 3 months.
On the way to Methlang through a jungle, we catch a glimpse of Phewa Lake. 

A view for 'the village people'. 

Sunrise, Sunset...? 

Things beginning to 'heat' up...a little.  

The two temples across the way, the lake below and civilization all around.  

Jen on the way down from Sarangkot, another route.
Shiva Temple, 2-faces of the lord, Phewa Lake below, a 'hill' and the glorious range.
Sarangkot Tower on the peak of a Nepal 'hill' with the real mountains behind.
Looking like a bay, another of Phewa Lake.
Lord Shiva and mountain range in perspective with Phewa Lake below.
Goodnight!

Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey

P.S. Hope to see you in Tenerife, Andorra and mainland Spain.

Trains and boats and planes are passing by San Diego: (Dionne Warwick): at Mission Hills.

An earlier time, an admirable era of sacrifice and courage and finally, the reward from a grateful woman.
  San Diego Airport is considered a difficult one to navigate from the air as there are many buildings 'protecting' the runway. It takes additional care and skill to land at this major coastal city. Because of the impediment, we have always been fascinated for at least two reasons: An enjoyment in watching the skilled pilots in action via maneuvering of the aircraft and, that we are often passengers. This you might think gives us a vested interest. No argument coming from our direction other than perhaps some hot air. 

  Recently, we reserved an apartment in Mission Hills. Turns out that the area is in a word: Wonderful. Most of our living, pre-Hikeabout, was in the northern parts of San Diego. While the north is mostly modern, the southern parts of the city are older which give them much character. In addition, this region is covered in canyons, hills, views of the bay, ocean, airport, amongst other sites and sights. As is typical in so many parts of the world, much of the construction is melded into the hills, slopes and canyons. Frankly, living in Mission Hills is uplifting and it's our intention to revisit. (Kindly refrain from mentioning this to the landlord, please.) 

  We have also spent much time in Allied Gardens which is further east. It too, is pleasant and a reminder of a more relaxed and quieter age. Add to the walks we've taken through the neighborhoods, particularly of Del Cerro, one is struck by the beauty of the flower-covered gardens and sidewalks. Add in Lake Murray and the surrounding mountains and, 'Yes', should we be asked whether 'one of us' would prefer living down south. 

  We tend to spend much of our lives walking so this region presents an environment much different from the wilderness physically. Perhaps the similarity with the wilderness, should we be asked to comment, might be that we seem to be living in an age of a 'civil wilderness'. 

    Finally, the original idea behind this blog was to illustrate the downside (maybe) of positioning an airport alongside high-rise buildings. We certainly have experienced an enjoyable share of views of aircraft in somewhat unusual positions viz-a-vie the downtown region. We observe this while trying to master the art of grabbing the camera, facing it toward the plane and attempting not to quiver in excitement.

American Airlines' pilot focused on the runway...we hope.
Some water to keep the flight crew cool.
San Diego: A clean, modern and attractive downtown. Like to see a pilot "fly the gap".
Lufthansa: A Tariff Buster lufts and sneaks over the fence trumping the tower...keeping fares lower. 

 Jen goes walkabout.
Confronted with color and style.
It's Frontier Airlines' opportunity to scare the residents of the building. In flying circles, it's considered dark humor.
More beauty, more color.
Southwest is up...time to come down safely.
Some guys just can't get enough of a lovely woman...(I know). 

American hangs around downtown.
While a nice little penthouse hangs above downtown.
Alaska advertises the palms and beaches of the State...um of Florida. 

You have to wonder whether daring pilots would like to land on the aircraft carrier.

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

 That's the Spirit as it competes with Alaska for Florida passengers.