Lazarow World-Hike-About

Sighted from Skalnate Lake some 3,000 feet up, sun hits one small section of the fields. From this side of the fields, we spot the Skalnate station, a hike of 3,000 feet elevation gain. The endpoint sits at the right-angle of the triangle cut into the mountain. A wonderful outing, with sweet mountain tea, at the top. On a single span cable, car returning from the highest station in Slovakia. 'One wonders how it finds its way in the clouds.' We have been asked the meaning of ‘chutzpah’ nearly a million times—maybe only a few hundred or less—not wishing to exaggerate. The trail was quiet but when we were approaching the base of the peak of Turtlehead, Red Rock Canyon, we heard a couple of guys whooping and shouting. Obviously, it’s not good etiquette to be rowdy as well as disturbing to the tranquil atmosphere. Soon thereafter, we reached the peak, took a look about, snapped some pictures and prepared for the editor's usual lovingly prepared cuisine. That...

A surprise when we reach the end of the hike. The mountains are "covered" in hotels. Access by car in special circumstances. Covered in lakes, too—which we obviously prefer—except on a rainy night. Over the recent years , at least the last ten or so, we have been fortunate and at times, yes, privileged to witness some of the world's magnificence. It's indeed a world of miracles, beauty, tension and struggle and unfortunately, hardships, too. The struggles are necessary, the hardships not. Clearly, reward derives meaning and value when it is commensurate with the effort and exertion expended to achieve it. To us, it seems obvious, logical and the way of the world. In a simplistic form, one may understand it as the other side of 'easy come, easy go'. Today, while traveling by the university in La Jolla, San Diego, we saw a sight that may have surpassed all others. Jenni believes whenever I view something which I consider outstanding, I tend to forg...

Volcanoes, a few of so many: Myvatn camp, Iceland. Jenni returns to our red-and-grey home below, walking toward a volcano. Kiluawea Crater, Big Island, Hawaii. Lava Butte, Nevada. Mount Ngauruhoe, Tongariro, New Zealand at dawn. Mauna Kea summit, Big Island, Hawaii. Mount Rainier, Washington. A view from Challhuaco outside of San Carlos Bariloche, Argentina. A view from Mount Humphreys, Arizona, the state's 'big one'. Peering across at Mount Shasta, California (north). Sliding Sands, Haleakala, Maui, Hawaii. Mount Hood, Oregon. South Sister (Charity), Oregon. Somewhere on Mount Shasta, California, at sunrise. Cinder Cone, Lassen, California.

Another, always steep, ascent to the lake on a wonderful and chilly summer's day in the High Tatras. A few pictures follow toward the end from Croatia, showing a different side of life in the region. Depending on the sun and the clouds, the water color was ever changing. Otis Redding reputed to have sung 'R(d)ock of the Bay' right here, not accompanied by the editor. ...after running through the forest and up this mountain carrying his guitar, (not accompanied by the editor, either.) On a hot day, the water would be tempting. Unfortunately, summer is not hot in the Tatras, it seems. Otis Redding used another voice...guess who? ( Strange but true although he was heard to comment at the time..."Lose the hat"). The last yard. One for the show... Back to Croatia. Merely days young in Old Europe. On track to find the trail in Paklenica Park heading to the hut of the same name. A room with a beautiful view close to the...