Lazarow World-Hike-About

After a terrific and fast hike up-and-back to the peak of Mount Woodson, resting and watching the behavior of the birds was both relaxing and stimulating. Sipping a cup of coffee while the perspiration dried wasn't too bad either. The other two hikes brought in different birds and sunrise scenes, equally enjoyable but caffeine free. It's a treat, if not a privilege, to watch the dawning of a new day. 'Bogey' flies between the trees as it drops down in an attack. The potential prey is unimpressed; in fact, rather bored, it seems. The attack is aborted and the 'predator' banks and flies off over a glass-like lake surface. Meantime, dawn on Iron Mountain arrives. At early light, taken from somewhere on Mount Woodson. Mount Woodson is visible from the 'Iron', a very rocky region. A little tipsy as a pelican prepares to land for another 'drink'. Pelicans, graceful on the surface. Trying something a little differ...

We returned to San Diego and are on 'vacation' until the year end. We'll update the blog should we find things of interest, otherwise we'll resume in January. . A mountain that initiated a change in our lives, Mount Woodson of Poway. Facing mostly west one early Sunday morning. At first, it appeared a simple scene. Very little high cloud, the sun surpassed the sunrise optimum viewpoint and the town lay below. The longer we stood and admired the scene, the more it grew upon us. Frankly, it's magnificent, in my opinion. Personalizing the sunrise's reflections. Glorious boulders and rocks...the stuff of kitchen countertops. A longer view from the peak, west facing. I think I'm stuck, The Potato Chip. This popular, over-used San Diego spot is only clear in the early hours. An attraction of the early morning hikes, reaching the summit with the sun. Beam me up, Jenni.

"Come up and see me sometime, Mae". "You want me, big boy, get your bu..down here," the editor counters as she pukes...um peaks. Meantime, encouraged by the editor's response, he takes off on boulder hopping with glee only to return to earth a second later with a bump or two. Will he ever learn? The answer is self-evident. A view of Steni Dyrfios, one of the main reasons we went to the island. On the day set aside for the climb, the weather turned us back. Fooling around (with much care) on the rocks below the peak. The port of Eretrea, calm and tranquil. A handful of highlights from Greece : When walking along the cliff edges, surrounded by icons, edifices and monoliths while taking in the stupendous views, one realizes how insignificant we are in the greater picture. On second thoughts, one also realizes how fortunate one is to stand in such wondrous places with memories that are sometimes overpowering, intimidating and hum...

This hike woke us; actually, it was rock climbing the whole way. Jenni on the way down but not out. When we hiked up the other Olympus, the one on the mainland, we found it a good test. However, because of the route we followed on Evia's Olympus, the hike was tougher and dangerous. It made us think of our hike down the former mountain with Arik, Maia and Alex. We broke into song at one stage. Appropriately, it was 'Life is a very narrow bridge...but the thing is not to fear'. We doubt the lyrics are heard that frequently in Greece. We are quite sure, while the content is stirring, our delivery did not reach a level of acceptability. It was a nice moment though, the poignant memories of each day that accumulate to make a fuller life. For the rest, the sequence of pictures provides a better understanding of the day's experience. (Continues after pictures...) On the way up, surprises, one after another. Meantime, instead of rock climbing, Nero, I mean ...