72.02 Linking two countries, tenuously, but to us there is a commonality, Serbia particularly to San Diego....and it's not the "S" 's.

Serbia: Sokobanya and Siljak-Rananj, two hikes during short stays. 

San Diego: A few walks in Tecolote Canyon, testing the slopes or should it be ourselves? 

Jen in the colorful wilds of Serbia during our favorite season.
   We arrived in San Diego from an earlier trip to Nepal and booked an apartment in Clairemont. While we reside in an area temporarily only, we do what we always do, that being walking and exploring the area. It is interesting that in each neighborhood, we get a feel for the different atmospheres created by the communities, including land and structures. In the poorer areas, there is more life on the streets and sidewalks than in the richer neighborhoods, where life seems to occur indoors or in the cars en route to destinations, we think.

Alongside Clairemont is a similar environment, that of Linda Vista. Since our initial visit to Clairemont, we have enjoyed two subsequent stays in Linda Vista and have two more lined-up on returns from foreign destinations. This should not be construed that we like the area...or maybe, it should. What was interesting is coming across a Serbian community within the two neighborhoods. It has allowed us to share some experiences as well as observe, as they visit each other frequently, the social sides of their lives which are 'vigorous'.

In our last two stays in San Diego, we have hired accommodations let by landlords of Serbian descent...in fact, one a recent emigre. It encouraged us to look back at experiences in Serbia of which we found at least two terrific hiking days. 

We believe this photograph captures the beauty, the isolation and perhaps, the haunting nature of the scene.
Nothing haunting now that the scene is filled with beauty.
We should reveal that it makes a big difference when a person chooses to live in an area for a very short term opposed to entering a long-term lease or worse still, purchasing a property. The phrasing of the last sentence might be construed as being prejudicial to ownership or at least commitment. Truth be told it is. While we owned homes for many years, and in fact, were very comfortable with the concept, enjoying much pride in adding to each home and taking care of them, something changed over sixteen years ago. 

  To explain such change is out of the scope of this blog and in and of itself, took us a while to understand ourselves. We could provide a few answers and reasons for this, particularly because of one of us was a real 'homeboy' who did not like to be away for extended periods...say, longer than a month. How things change. 'Homeboy' now cannot stand being in his former environments for longer than a month. Jenni is not much different. However, she was the one who always wished to get out and go exploring but loved to return for a while. It might be a female issue of wearing clean clothes and enjoying shopping experiences. This latter aspect has also changed and we find ourselves even closer in our thinking...not that it's ever been an issue. We both need to keep moving. 

Down some of the steepest slopes we have experienced.
...and up on the other side in San Diego.
  We think that life is an amazing gift. However, we believe this gift is entirely dependent on how one uses it. Of course, decent health and certain other issues are vital and will not be brought into the topic. Nevertheless, to the extent one can influence one's life, choose a path to follow, find and experience the adventures offered, it behooves a person to seize such opportunities. We feel that there is certain pattern to living, often determined or at least with parameters set by society or communities, to keep us following an 'approved' lifestyle. (Decent values are not negotiable). 

  When one chooses to follow a different route, of course in varying degrees of conformity or perhaps non-conformity, it unsettles some, annoys others, makes some envious and gives many an example to change their lives. While we make it clear that our choice is personal, it's not selected for any other reason than to give our lives more meaning, make enjoyable, challenging, educational, at times difficult, but always provide upliftment and fulfilment. Earlier in life, we believe we grasped the concept that when a person finds her passion, she has found her purpose in life.  

In Serbia, an abandoned castle? The Republic is without monarchy...although we sometimes hear something about a king. 

This photograph may well be mistaken for a painting. We do believe the scene captures the essence of many seen beautifying walls.

  We have been challenged/criticized at times on all the negatives people have conjured up about our lifestyle. As mentioned, we were never rebellious in our ways although it seems some people thought we were inclined to live, at times, a little differently. Personally, I thought this a reasonable criticism but actually, we were still mostly conservative in our ways and always adhere to the rules or at least, try to follow them. To add a religious aspect to life, the more religious people become, the more inward they seem to develop. In fact, many separate from the greater community which in turn leads to further closing in and separation until their community becomes smaller and smaller. Thereafter, association with others, travel and living amongst strangers does not occur, often frowned upon. 

  While we have our own minds, we realize that we can never be fully developed, fortunately. Each day, each moment is another opportunity to witness, to learn, to undergo, to experience much from other cultures, people, lands and so forth...to grow. While we have many differences, both real and imagined, there are certainly people more troubled than others, many dangerous and with negative intentions. Nevertheless, it's amazing how one grows up a certain way and the behavior of others appear to range from different, odd to abhorrent. However, because someone does something different from the way one was brought up to do it, does not make it wrong or inferior. In fact, many-a-time it can be a superior method. We think there is so much to learn and enjoy from each other that not to take advantage of such occasions is a waste of opportunities. 

Jen appeals for help. The best I can offer is to 'pick up the feet and move forward',...the optimist within me thinks she appreciated the advice.
Briefly, we remember a story related about Rabbi Hirsch. He was teaching his pupils who spent all day in classes. Heck, guys, there's got to be more to life than studying full time, even should it be 'good stuff'. Anyway, he mentioned that he would be traveling to Switzerland the following week. A pupil questioned him saying that 'to be out of the classroom would waste study time'. His retort: "When I eventually arrive before the Lord and he asks me how I enjoyed His Swiss Alps, for example, what am I to answer?" Jen and I want to make sure we have a massive list of experiences that we will be able to compliment Him with a full and long answer."  

This will certainly never be mistaken for a painting...a clone of a clown, perhaps. Taken on the peak in vigorous winds. (Serbia) 

Nature knows no differences, only humans distinguish.
Jen commences the return from the peak.
  This began as a blog linking two towns and developed in a different direction...I'd say. I think I got hijacked and the sad thing is, I'm the hijacker. So much for discipline. Perhaps, I'll end off by saying that we have no idea what the future holds. In fact, we have no idea what's coming in the next moment. It seems obvious to me that to repeat many of the daily routines, those without value, or that are meaningless, seems to be an insult to life, to the giver of life and a waste of the potential we all have. While a risk averse existence at times can seem comfortable compared with the more difficult aspects of a challenging life, there is no real comparison. 

  In the words of a friend who has since passed, (Mannie Edelstein), Carpe Diem...Seize the Day. 

When we followed his advice couched in those two words, we changed our lives.

Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey

At this stage, I'd invite my brother Mark to quit the blog. 

The power of the 'little guy'. You never know when they'll appear and from where. Generally, they are also, never welcome.

71.01 Portugal: Geres: Opening with a superb lake: Canicada, a multi-faceted body of water.

Sitting on the dock of the bay...well almost, more like a couple of thousand feet above the Canicada Lake.
Geres' own Stonehenge has a wonderful view of the lake.
  We returned to Geres, some eighteen months post our first trip to Portugal. We think this is a region, the only national park in the country, where a person is able to capture tranquility that seems to be fast disappearing from Mother Earth. Of course, there are many similar places (unlimited actually), but one has to seek them out, and of course, they are invariably remote. Be that as it may, the scenery is lush, colorful and contains many lakes and mountains, the latter less common in this country. 

  We found over the course of our earlier visit that we would take to the mountains, and as we climbed, feel ourselves meld into the environment. The fact that it is devoid of cars, except for those traveling along limited roads through the park, as well as few hikers about, gives us many opportunities to absorb the surrounding beauty. And beauty, is no exaggeration. After 3 hikes, we have found no differences from that feeling of unifying with the environment. Perhaps, we are a little more experienced and are less likely to get lost, although I would not take that bet. 

  As with all travel, it seems, we invariably have unusual experiences en-route to our destinations. We had a long layover in London, some 6 hours, as well as arriving too early at the local airport of San Diego because of issues of government shenanigans. We ended up sitting in San Diego for over 4 hours. Our journey from the time we stood before the entry to baggage checking, expected to be at least an hour or more, was our fastest time ever, barely 5 minutes. It seems when the employees are not paid, they work more efficiently. Go figure! 

  Anyway, back to London's Heathrow. As an aside, I'm always tickled when the term "London's Heathrow" is uttered. People generally tend to cut down on words, shorten sentences and presume one knows what one is talking about when throwing out buzzwords. But it appears not in this case. After all, perhaps one could mistake Heathrow for Paris' or New York's or Oxford's...Heathrow. Anyway, that is another of my peculiarities. Should you have the time, I could list many more. Having mentioned this, I think I feel much better about the situation having got it off my chest. Hopefully, you'll all agree and that will make me feel even better. 

Many situations similar to this with houses and apartments tucked into the mountains and forests.
A truly wonderful viewpoint where we stopped for brunch.
Another such position with the trees giving off something hard to explain, but nevertheless, very attractive. Perhaps the coloring and density were distinctive.
We will be viewing the lakes from so many vantage points, including heights ,over the next period. The bridge at rear, moving from left to right, brings traffic into Geres allowing one to drive toward the main church and be on left side of lake. Instead of continuing on that route, a sharp right turn allows a person to cross the water over the fore-bridge and head to the main part of the town.
Jen captures the solitude, even on a road, this one along a mountain, as we return home.
The beach juts into the lake making for a nice view.
To the right is a dirt road that heads down to the lake, reaching the houses below. Further to the right and higher is the official road that takes one across the mountain.
Below left is the that part of a residential district alongside the lake.
This provides perspective of town and lake positioning. Continuing along the lake, it makes a right turn at the bridge and that opens a whole section of another town above the lake.   

  We left London's Heathrow and headed for Lisbon which of course is in Portugal, I think. This is when our journey became more interesting. Our arrival time after clearing the airport would be after midnight. At first light, we were due to collect a rental car. This gave us a few hours to waste. Usually, we head to an hotel to close the gap: shower, eat and sleep. However, it has become so painful these days--find a taxi, get to the hotel while lugging the luggage, check-in, try to sleep for few hours (almost impossible), and then reverse the process, all in the early hours. Instead, we tried a different idea once before in Tenerife where there were no hotels in the vicinity and it worked well. 

  We sought a quite spot in the airport with comfortable lounge chairs to rest our bodies. (By the way, airport lounges in Lisbon don't cover our situation). This proved to be a little difficult. Upon finding something tucked away in what we thought was a quiet spot, we surrounded ourselves with baggage, withdrew some thick clothing to soften the 'concrete' floor and lay down to absorb the tranquility of a deserted airport between two large pillars. I assured Jen that as the early hours of the morning ticked by, we could expect a very quiet period. 

  She woke me, together with an unruly rumble, at about 3am at which time there were lines of people surrounding us. They did appear to be queued to check-in counters heading for other destinations which may have included London's Heathrow. After feeling a little embarrassed, two homeless people, the focus of hundreds of travelers standing above us, we packed up and sought a new temporary home. If nothing else, Hike-about provides many varied, and often allows for, unusual experiences. We regrouped and headed for another section which was not as noisy but not without traffic either. We stopped for refreshments and got back onto the computers and did some planning. Funnily enough, it was quite pleasant. The real kicker was the rental car company ended up being late in collecting us. 

  Thereafter, we drove about 200 miles to our destination, checking regularly to ensure our driver was alert. We suppose the real test is whether we would do it again. On any stay less then 8 hours, we think we'd prefer to hang around the airport rather than depart from the building, have to clear immigration and security again, where appropriate, and the rest of the process. Some airports have terrific loungers which makes a difference. In the end, there is no simple solution. It does appear to us that as travel becomes more sophisticated, it is also far less pleasant. 

Jen faces the waterfall and decides to retreat...for now.
Moving toward the other side of the lake brings the bridges into better view as well as the lake extension.
Jen heads for a shady spot, the covering provided by a thick, lush and very green tree.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

Delightful as we pass through the town after making a full circuit.
We finally understand how clouds are formed.

65.20 Utah: Outside Salt Lake City, the autumn weather 'salts' color into the flora and literally stuns us...a color bonanza and much more.

  We begin the next phase of Hike-about, in Portugal. The photographs that follow are the last set of 'recalling the past', to be followed by those mostly from Geres, et sequens. 

 The first 2 photographs are on Aire Mountain, a taste of much to follow. Jen makes her way along narrow paths.

The mass coloring of plants affects the sight of a mountain. 

    We were heading for Idaho for an extended period, with a stopover outside Salt Lake City, Utah, for 9 days. After a few days of being immersed in such amazing colors and other sights, presented with staggering climbs and experiences, we decided to extend our stay. Apparently, this trend of extending the period caught on and the final tally included the occurrence of a number of renewals. 

  I remember a few occasions when I approached Jen to try to determine her level of comfort about staying longer. It was mostly enjoyable with the occasional feeling of trepidation should she have a need to move onwards. The result was we extended our stay from the original 9 days to slightly longer duration: 61 days. Jen asked me whether we had a visa for that length of time. You never know these days. Suffice to say: I think we enjoyed the trip. It certainly had an effect upon us: No doubts, it colored our feelings. 

A serious meeting occurring before the (Bells) Falls.
Jen makes her way on Wire Mountain via Red Butte Ridge.
On the way to the falls, we appreciate the reflections
We found particularly stunning, perhaps the height achieved with the angle of the view, upon Grandeur Peak.
Shades of mostly green of autumn...going against the grain.
Bloods Lake and Clayton Peak.
Broads Fork and friends follow.
Searching without effort for color.
Cardiff color: Nice view, dangerous position.
A week later, the dangerous Cardiff slope is easily apparent, referred to above. Where's the color?
Circle Awle.
Clayton Trail via Brighton, the long climb route.
Wire Mountain.
Jen tries to suppress a smile, but how long can it last?
Told you so. The colors are just too gorgeous to hold in one's delight, as she climbs to Jack's Peak, obviously an impressive guy.
'Try to keep your balance, old man.'
This may be termed a 'rush of color'.
A real classy sight...actually, aren't they all?
She took a chance and summoned an Uber. We probably have a long wait. Sometimes it's better to try obtain a lyft. 

Upon Grandeur Peak, probably our favorite place during the period.
Jen finds a path and takes it despite the threat of the serpent class.
This area appears to be a predominantly 'yellow' region.
We can never get over the miraculous formations created by nature, filled with amazing, rich coloring, recurring annually.
The Surgeon-General of the US suggests one should clear the build-up of color channels periodically by absorbing some white light...or something to that effect. This is our suggested solution.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey