Lazarow World-Hike-About

We need to take a vacation, a break from our mid-life crisis; hence, we are back in San Diego. The way we feel about it, we don’t care if we hurt the feelings of this so-called crisis either. Call us selfish and callous, if you would. Of course, we are here to see Gavin and Rob when they return to the city, naturally Natalie and Anthony, never forgetting, what’s her name, we remember now, Miss Ellie. Harsh and gorgeous Haleakala--the growth side West Maui Mountain--A Glimpse We are fortunate and blessed to have had incredible experiences on the road over the last few years. This trip was no different, perhaps somewhat superior. In fact, we celebrated our first anniversary on the road the week prior to Shavuot. It took us a while to consider how we should enjoy that special day. After racking our brains for a while, our editor’s head popped up, her blue eyes shone like Hawaiian waters, and then a smile creased her face as she announced: ‘Let’s climb a mountain.’ Once again, she ...

Sunday Hard to believe this woman is pushing 60. We should call for a birth certificate--we're in the right state Highway 2,000 feet below, appeared as we joined ridge trail climbing from below loop Mommy! Mom! Ma? Help me. I've had enough mud...until next time Where do we begin? Had we known the trail would be so muddy including most sections along very narrow ridges at an altitude of 2,800 feet, would we have undertaken it? Without hesitation, our answer would be—absolutely. Of course, a dry trail would have made it one of the best hikes. What a day! If the question was phrased a little differently, such as: “Are you two a little crazy?” We might have to answer in the affirmative, too. It is very difficult to explain the build of excitement within us as we approach a hike, especially a challenging one. The more strenuous, the more challenging—the greater the elation that follows its completion. Add our concept of when people sweat together, it forges a strong bond es...

Raises the soul a little each time On the ridge edge watching the clouds build Hello All, Friday “What do you want for lunch today?” asked our caring Editor. We don’t usually worry about lunch on the trails. A good breakfast followed by delicious dinner meals that Jenni prepares keeps us well nourished and most satisfied. Who could be so fortunate? We are amazed at what she can do with a microwave. Add a stovetop, some aluminum foil and she makes ‘magic’. Then we remembered why she asked. Lately, we have been finding wild fruit in the mountains. It is delightful to pick a guava, passion fruit or strawberry-guava from a tree and put it directly into the mouth, in the wild. It helps if you know whether it is poisonous or not—but let’s not get too technical. We think of‘Ashrei’, the 3-times a day prayer that tells us Hashem will provide for those that follow Him. We have enjoyed the fresh fruit immensely; we are now quite spoilt, not the fruit. It reminds us of our youth. Pinch...

I think the editor enjoys the wild places more than she lets on Approaching the rugged 'hill' from the side Shaloha All, It is not often that our dear and delightful editor resorts to whining. We do encourage it though, as it gives us precedent to have periodic sessions ourselves. Who doesn’t need a ‘good whine’ from time-to-time? Anyway, she had good cause. The previous day’s eleven miles through rugged terrain was testing. By late afternoon, the feet, legs and back were feeling the strain. During the night, relief was found wanting. There she is--we like indeed. ‘We went kayaking the other day so maybe we should do that beach hike today—something nice and relaxing without a climb,’ we mentioned. ‘Great idea,’ she replied. Off we went to reach the western most point of the island where the albatrosses nest, the seals sunbath and ‘humpbacks’ hmm...hang around. The road is not passable with a sedan; rental cars are forbidden. This prevents a person making a tour around...

At the end of the day Down we go. Wow! Even further down. Will this path ever take us up again. Yes! We are rising now. Oops! Down again, this time we are going to hit the valley floor. Hikes are never as tricky as the stock market over the last three days. It is becoming even more unpredictable especially as the ‘experts’ inform us what needs to be done while the government meddles. This week’s issue, which of course has been around for years, is about grease. What do we know? It’s all Greek to us anyway. “Back to the real ‘ups and downs’”, we declare as we headed off to a trail through military property. This guy has some authority issues ‘We need a permit according to the book,” our editor informed us. The locals said ‘don’t worry about it’. Who to believe? The government or the people? How high is the fence? we wondered. We sometimes hone in on the critical issues when we are alert. Our editor had doubts at one stage, particularly when a low flying military helicopter hovere...

SHALOHA, (The greeting at Chabad, Oahu) Sunday & Monday View at trailhead. Hike continues on mountains behind this 'little one' Well deserved smoke break in overpowering beauty We were thinking as we drove towards the north shore about liberation. We remarked to our beloved passenger alongside that we love the feeling of freedom as we move from place to place doing, seeing, hearing and learning every day. Here today, somewhere else tomorrow; each day is an experience with variety, interest, challenges, change, always something strenuous and of course, a refreshing can of…we ‘blew’ that. It got us pondering of another liberation movement. When it surfaced, it created more movement in itself. ‘Burn the bras’, they yelled. Well, we suppose not all liberation can be equated, some are more equal than others. Lifting the hat to the Master's hidden treasures (Click on pics to enlarge & then 'back button) Guide indicating Oahu's highest We had a wond...