Lazarow World-Hike-About

We continued hiking this week but the weather, and time of day, did not provide suitable moments to capture on film. Instead, we have placed photographs from one of our memorable trips to the West on the blog. During October, we intend heading in that direction with an emphasis on the Sierras, weather permitting (and of course, always health). In the meantime, our editor struggles with her knee although I’m beginning to think that it’s her way of missing the delightful 4 and 5 o’clock morning hikes. Fortunately, when not hiking alone, Sean Bradford has joined me. He is a refreshing young man, a real delight. Last Friday, we woke at 4am and commenced the hike at five. The weather was promising as the clouds covered vast areas of the county. Normally this provides a wonderful screen on which the sun’s beams shine, creating a palette of colors that places a person in another dimension. More than just colors, the clouds cover the surrounding mountains, often retaining the shape of thos...

I would like to ask that you read this piece, not for Jen and me but rather, for some exceptional people. I headed out early for Mount Woodson, ahead of the traffic, that is, hiking traffic, heat and unfortunately, before clouds formed. Lately, we’ve have been in the company or near-company of giants. No. Not the redwoods, sequoias, football players, boxers, clergy and many others but rather, true heroes. There’s a song with a nice beat called ‘Looking for love in all the wrong places’ or in fact, it may only be a line of the lyrics. Whatever the case, it is a very useful thought. Perhaps if we changed the subject and made it ‘looking for a hero or role model’ in all the wrong places it would resonate well in the modern world. For a reason I have never been able to fathom, people look to sportsmen, actors and actresses (huh?), politicians, you name it, as heroes. Why? There are obviously reasons for this but that’s not the purpose of this short essay. I have only had one he...

We've begun planning our hiking adventures for the coming year although much is still to come in the next few months. In order to avoid winter weather, particularly the harsh climes, it usually means traveling south from December through April. When one party has a desire to visit a favorite country, how does one sell the idea to the other. How about showing a few pictures from past experiences and undertaking that the best is yet to come. It's an approach. We were in New Zealand three years ago and it's time for a revisit: Dewar Peak, on the way to Devil's Creek, Queenstown, NZ. Sawyer Burn, sharp, steep and tough. (Please get rid of the hat!) Tongariro Crossing, the picture tells the story of the day. It reminds one of the title of a well-known book published years ago: 'The loneliness of the Long Distance Runner'. A beach at Lake Poway, below Mount Woodson. A hike in the heat of the day (Sep 3rd). The mountains surrounding Que...