Autumn develops, colors and foliage spectacular.
Most of the lake surface is a reflection, at Cabana Bezbog.
No two places are the same, anywhere in the world. Similarities abound but each has it own character and characteristics. The walk beyond Lake Popova is a typical case of we having seen lakes not that different from other alpine regions but the journey and respective scenes here were unique. In fact, Pirin National Park is glorious. Many of the parks in Europe, certainly the eastern countries, differ from those of the United States. Whereas in the latter country, it seems to us that land is set aside, often fenced off, entrance booths established for the collection of fees, good roads and trails built, including the establishment of hotels and other formal accommodation, yet Eastern Europe declares a region a national park and that's it. Trails and cabanas or refugios are built and off you go. Perhaps the tough part in Eastern Europe is that roads don't penetrate deep into the parks. Effectively, this makes the distances of the hikes much longer. Expressed differently, the national parks in the United States cater for tourists and provide more comfort than the more rugged nature of eastern countries. (To the contrary, we have come across some unique hotels in the high mountains, particularly in Slovakia.) Both systems have merit, of course. When our feet ache from the abundance of stones and rock underfoot, we yearn for luxury. Not easy to satisfy and cater for all.
Specifically, the area is most attractive with many mountains to view and scale as well as a number of lakes. The name of the lake, one of the mountains and the cabana is unusual, to say the least. It's called Bezbog. In of itself, it's meaningless to the English speaker. However, the translation brings about a surprising answer: "godless". Makes one wonder. Legend has it that during the Ottoman era, locals fled to the peak, prayed for their safety and were then slaughtered. If nothing else, humans are consistent. We've been torturing and murdering since the beginning. (Recently, a woman told us that all humans are basically good.) We found that most comforting and in turn, offered to sell her a certain bridge in a borough of New York.
A scene we found stunning, Cabana Bezbog, at an altitude of over 7,400 feet.
Returning from Lake Popova in late afternoon toward Lake Bezbog, a great favorite.
Perhaps early morning is the best time of the day as Sean Bradford often utters.
On the way back from Lake Popova, an overflow.
We reach the far side of Lake Popova (priest), the largest and deepest lake in Pirin, at an altitude of 7,450 feet.
Climbing to one of the ridges overlooking this wonderful body of water high in the mountains.
Glorious.
More reflections off Bezbog Lake.
A fine pair.
Got to love this scene as we near the end of the hiking day, so different from much of what we'd seen. (Note the cattle before the lake.)
The ultimate in tranquility, we half slept-walked past.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
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