Lazarow World-Hike-About
LAZAROW WORLD HIKE-ABOUT
New Zealand: Tongariro Alpine Crossing: Ngauruhoe Volcano ("Mt. Doom"), a perfect sunrise.
'LAZAROW WORLD HIKE-ABOUT: WHAT IN THE WORLD IS HIKE-ABOUT?'
Hike-about is an adventure that commenced June 2010. After storing our household movables, ridding ourselves of a house but retaining our 'home' together, we set off with the purpose of hiking in different parts of the world, not forgetting the home country, the USA.
Our primary focus is hiking to mountain peaks but any challenging hike will do just fine. Extended stays enable us to enjoy and experience living in various places amongst differing cultures. Hike-about has evolved into a way of life. It's also a process of discovery, both the world and ourselves.
We work and live 'on the road' but return to the city in which our grandchildren reside, every couple of months. This provides us the wonderful opportunity to be with them as well as a child or two, even three and of course, friends.
By the end of 2023, the blog contained over 1,560 hikes (less than that actually undertaken), each a set of pictures with stories and anecdotes from the trails. An index to the right allows the viewer to identify earlier experiences.
Finally, we are often asked about the journey's end. Our reply, as accurate as we can state, is: "When we are either forced to cease through health issues or the enjoyment level no longer reaches our aspirations, we will hang up the boots."
"A Life Experience As No Other: Dare to Seize the Day Together", published by Fulton Books, depicts our life on the road and mountains until the beginning of 2017. It has developed 'exponentially' since then.
Jenni and Jeffrey Lazarow
Whereas we continue to update the blog regularly, we circulate email notifications infrequently.
Thursday, April 25, 2024
62.09 Winters: Berryessa at its best: A Quick but satisfying view of a great favorite: Standing upon Annie's Rock.
Jen reaches the highpoint at Annie's Rock.
Cheers,
61.50 Arizona: Page: Winter in the desert, another form of Heaven as we walk along Hanging Gardens.
This time a genuine smile, the real thing.
Boulder hopping.
It's location, location, location.
Blue, gold, anything—it's in the eye of the beholder.
Hold that Colorado back...Glen Canyon Dam.
Taking a short cut.
and then up-and-over...the story of our lives.
Change of texture...careful, as it crumbles easily.
Classical.
Saturday, April 20, 2024
62.07: California: Winters: Berryessa Lake: Pleasant Ridge Trail and one of the most stunning of regions.
To the right is the Blue Ridge Mountain which we crossed 2-days earlier. The path along the stream below is part of the return route.
From near the peak, we have a nice view of the campground plus the Putah River.
Truth be told, can't get enough of these views. The small tree on the peak to the left of the dam is one of the places we stood 2-days before on our way up to-and-along the Blue Ridge Mountain.
For perspective, a typical view of the lake from the ridge (2 days earlier) differs as shown below. To the right foreground (water), the lake continues back toward the dam wall.
Reaching the last clump of trees before the peak.
A view from the peak toward the campground.
A little of everything.
We arrived at an alternate trail after a partial completion of another (long story). The Pleasant Ridge Trail is now apparently closed which we did not realize. We had read about it, as written in the opening paragraph, of its difficulty.
Cheers,
Thursday, April 18, 2024
62.05 Re-Introduction to Berryessa Lake: A staggering place of hikes and views—heading for Blue Ridge which is extremely green.
The hills are alive; you see and even feel the richness. We began the hike at river level and are still rising.
Jen is hiking along the ridge, part of trail in view. This means after reaching a basic top of mountain, one continues up and down along the said ridge, while soaking in incredible views. Currently, about to rise again, energy permitting. Advisable to keep a watchful eye out for rocks, roots and snakes. We came across the most number of these reptiles on this hike. (See future publication of these critters should they interest you. Next blog below contains an interesting snake, too. A word or two of comfort to Jen will go a long way to ensuring dinner tonight...thank you!)
Rock climbing which is always a source of challenge to continue growing...although some may see it as a 'show-off' in action. Some might in fact be correct.
'Life and death'...loved the contrasts.
Monticello Dam feeds Putah Creek, the latter seen in the valley.
Cheers,
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
62.06 California: Morro Bay: Valencia Hike through a form of Eden.
While each specie is free to follow their own paths, we still believe it's rude to stare and portray an unfriendly attitude. From humans we can understand that demeanor, reluctantly, but we expect more from reptiles. Why Jen began singing 'Snake, rattle and roll' is beyond me but then again, she has a nice voice. Funnily enough, so much is beyond my ken these days, I feel I'm living in a strange world. Should I be able to sing better, I could relate to 'Fly me to the Moon', undertaking a full emigration. Then again, a US Congresswoman says it's not feasible because the moon comprises gases only. She should be 'Armstronged' for that or perhaps, strong-armed out of congress. The problem with that tactic should they get rid of her: the IQ of the esteemed body will reach new heights. The result: It will become even more difficult to attract candidates who qualify.
Now we know 'Where All the Flowers Have Gone'...to mountain tops, everyone. (Be grateful you haven't heard me sing it.)
I find this position, the view and 'even' Jenni, an incredible sight. Mesmerizing would not be an exaggeration.
There was a bit of a gap between us. When Jenni reached the top, she turned around and ran down to collect her hiking pole. Hence, it appears I got a little ahead of her when in fact, I was behind although appear ahead. Got that! (She's toward the bottom of photo.)
"We've looked at clouds from both sides now." Please feel free to sing along.
Valencia from Hazard Peak trail, 2 days later.
A healthy stride along the numerous trails.
Let's head home, this time Jen leads.
61:48 Arizona/Nevada: Wandering below Fortification Hill...Hill? while immersed in color rather than water.
Standing in Arizona and peering across the water into Nevada. We wonder about the contraptions in the distance. Mount Charleston sits in the far distance.
There's one of the contraptions (above) from another angle, viewed from Black Canyon Peak in Nevada.
Now we are close to the structure, opposite side of the lake and Arizona, while standing in Nevada.
The masterpiece, Fortification Mountain, aka "hill". Viewed this from so many different positions.
Jen heads for the hills.
Jen returns from the hills.
'The long and winding (and colorful) road.'
We'd call it 'rough' following the gusting winds. Even the shade of blue was unusual.
We'd call it 'Smooth'.
Cheers,