Letting it hang out...or should that be a giant hang-over. Really hoping that I have a sticky butt.
We love the concept of context. It creates a perspective that is far more intelligent than that we see today when people, who have an evolving set of (de)values themselves, decide that certain behavior of past eras is not acceptable because it does not comport with their world view. Certainly, there are universal codes of behavior that should not be era based—they are unacceptable no matter what generation. For, who can say that future generations will not look at these same 'moralists' and declare them to be disgusting. Surely, behavior ought to be judged by the mores of the time. Nevertheless, striving for superior behavior based upon a 'real value system' is to be welcomed in any era . Good idea to stop there.
It started with context. On Hike-about, the term 'as exciting as watching paint dry' is quite important. It also taught us that rather than being boring, it does provide a certain satisfaction. When on the road, we don't always or in fact, not often do we have modern appliances such as washing machines and dryers. In Europe, many places do provide washers but not dryers. So after hanging the clothes to dry, chasing the sun around a porch, patio or backyard, there is a certain satisfaction of watching the clothes dry. After sweat and other dirt has affected the clothes, it's a great feeling to rest after the climb knowing the garments are clean (relatively clean), and drying while we are working on something else. Multi-tasking. Small things, good feelings, basic living.
Chugging toward the peak, an hour to go.
Looking a little uptight but feeling great. A similar scene from an earlier hike but in a different place.
Peering over the edge...a long way down, even the shortcut.
Palmiet river and estuary entering the Atlantic Ocean; twice a day, it flows the other way.
Half-mile to the peak and confronted by this scene. You want some upliftment, 'Go down to Africa'.
Reaching the peak and thinking it's not exactly an ideal lunch spot.
Color my world.
The mountain at rear is the previous day's peak, 3 Sisters. With a good pair of eyes, one can make out
the white beacon at the summit. We approached from the front which is about rock scrambling
and took the path down, making it an unusual loop.
On the plateau, we were either 'half-way up or half-way down' or maybe, neither up nor down.
One of the great coastal sights we absorbed.
Karoo National Park
On trail in the desert, we overlook the rest camp, a delightful one at that.
Since lions have been added to the park, one has to take an armed guide along, limiting one's movements.
Once the zebra smelled our scent, they darted.
A Kudu not looking to take any bull...preferably a cow.
At the end of the hike, one faces a far more dangerous species than predators of the park: the motorist.
Red hartebeest at sunset.
Our favorite, a 'shadow gemsbok'.
'Big bird' makes an appearance in South Africa.
Appropriately, the 'early bird' catches a hike, a little before 6am.'
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
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