Mostly Peak Pictorials, Part 1...and some training for Nepal along a steep but pretty part of the coast.

As we head to (may already be in) Nepal, we thought we'd post a few blogs of some highlights, automatically (2-week intervals). We don't think we'll post any current/local photographs until our return. Jenni has promised she's not going to 'run up' Everest with me tailing after her which is a big relief. Farewell and may we all be safe and healthy.


Click on arrow to listen to Brian C Murray singing "Knocking on Heaven's Door.": Mount Olympus, Greece.



Preparing for Nepal...thinking maybe it might be more comfortable going to Naples.


Training for Nepal in San Diego ... sea-level versus...'what did you say the altitude is?'




The Gliderport, San Diego...running up (away) from the nudist beach below.




Everyone's favorite, Antelope Canyon (lower), Arizona.




Heading to Pinnacle peak and 'trouble' near Mount Rainier, Washington.




Departing from Refugio Jakob, San Carlos Bariloche, Argentina.




Grampians, Eastern Australia.




Butt for this slope, ... the Icelanders were most hospitable as we ride down Mount Sulur.




On the way up to Ben Lomond peak, South Island, New Zealand.




Heading toward Kristinartindar peak, along a glacier, Iceland.





The next two are on Table Mountain in the Cape, South Africa: 'Indian Venster'.




Who would have guessed?




Wheeler Peak, New Mexico's highest.




Heading toward an unusual peak in Iceland, but superb.



An approach from the rear of the mountain in Andorra.




Tongarriro Crossing, New Zealand.




On the way to Comapedrosa, Andorra's highest.





Olympic National Park, Washington, USA.




"Charity", South Sister, Oregon...a little less than 5,000 feet elevation gain.




The Sentinel, Drakensberg, South Africa.




South Africans have a wonderful phrase for this situation: "Nou ja? or maybe ja-nee?". White Mountains, New Hampshire.




On Salkantay Mountain, Peru, our highest at about 15,300 feet.




Seefeldjoch, Austria on the way to the Spitze (Upper-right).




Arbel Cliffs, Israel.



Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey




Enjoyed training at the cliffs for Nepal. The photos, with a phone, were an added benefit when we saw how attractive the views were. Who trains and takes photographs?...some training. As an aside, these are for our old age when we remember our youth...well, you have heard of euphemisms?




















They have wings; I have prayer. I've come to realize four legs like goats and wings of birds are a thought for the next time around.

39.12 Western United States: Perhaps, the best set of the mix from 'cool' deserts.

A memory and strong impression of a desert scene that will remain with us...we hope. The blessing of rain brings out the colors, growth and washing of rocks and boulders.




A long view from a peak in the Mojave desert of Laughlin, Nevada, perhaps 20 miles. Across the Colorado River, a tiny part of the water protruding mid-left, is Bullhead City, Arizona.
A person can gamble in the casinos of Nevada, such as in Laughlin below. The buildings in the photograph are essentially casinos. However, no casinos are allowed in Arizona or California as it is an illegal activity. Nevertheless, on Indian reservations situate in both Arizona and California, casinos are permitted which makes gambling legal. Therefore, you can gamble in casinos in Arizona and California. "Have you got that?"




We suppose we could go on publishing many fresh photographs from the last trip but it's time to move on to the next one, which promises to be a little different from anything we've undertaken thus far. Although we were hiking in the middle of winter and experienced some cold and snowy weather, it was superb. Utilizing crampons when appropriate and following the sun when things got rough in places like Flagstaff bore fruit, and some ripe and sweet ones at that. To put things in perspective, we were still in some of the warmest places in the Northern Hemisphere—'tough guys'. I shudder to think of living outdoors in the northern part of the country and of course, in Canada during winter. The Canadians are terrific people—we wonder if it's the cold that molds them into a desirable state. Whatever the case, South African, San Diegan and some western states' winters, linked with traveling in the lower hemisphere during spring and autumn at times, has spoiled us...spoiled us rotten...but we like it.

During 2018, we enjoyed two autumns, the first in Argentina during March and April while in Romania, Bulgaria and Serbia during September and October. It's delightful because of the foliage, cool weather, fewer visitors and just because... We're trying figure how to have 3 autumns in a year. Stay tuned!



A cheer for- or cheers from- the Great Canyon. Perhaps, a favorite of the Grand Canyon...besides all the other favorites from this incredible place.




Thrilling return from the top of the little rock behind. Notice people walking along a trail at ground-level. We are at the half-way mark, not a long hike, but steep and slippery.




The San Francisco Mountain Range, includes Mount Humphreys, Arizona's highest, a reason to return in more hospitable weather.




Difficult to imagine such formations: Death Valley, California. Jen comes up a steep section.




Golden Canyon. We'd come from the floor of the canyon to reach one of the peaks.




We met Carl somewhere in the Mojave desert on a really cold Sunday morning. We were partaking of breakfast, sheltered behind some boulders, when he spotted us and halted. Earlier, we'd commenced hiking shortly before him but had walked in the opposite direction of the loop—for some reason we tend to find ourselves traveling in the counter direction quite often. People say it's because of the jeans (genes) but I for one, have never taken to denim so it's puzzling.

Anyway, Carl appeared to be lonely and wanted to talk. He's a civil engineer with the National Parks Department, based at Lake Mead. We ended up hearing a bit about office politics. We don't know many, if any, government employees so it was a good opportunity. Besides, he seemed to love hiking but more by the way of long treks in the wilderness so he could remove himself from modern living from time-to-time. Did we mention he struck as a loner?

We asked him about the recent government shutdown and the implications for him and his co-workers. In the end, it sounded consistent with government and political policy. Close operations and don't pay employees. Productivity, is that an oxymoron? is then lost to the country. It would make economic sense (not nice though) if salaries were also withheld. As Carl mentioned, he had a paper to write whether now or later. It would have to be written sometime. Because the government employees were going to be reimbursed for lost salaries and wages, the loss was then limited to productivity only. So who were/are the losers and what was gained? As taxpayers, we're not smart enough to understand it.

We left Carl wondering whether there were any openings in government for people like ourselves. Our ideal would be to continue exploring the world through hiking, writing and taking photographs. Now, if someone was willing to pay us to do that,... perhaps we should approach the government. Nice thought.



Rovey's Window or Needle: Crossing from back of the mountain to the front through the window. Not good manners but effective.




Never fails to amaze when we come across a massive body of water in the desert. A corner of Davis Dam, Laughlin, Nevada.




The 'long and winding road' near the northern part of 'Painted Desert'.




This particular hike gave us a completely different perspective of the glorious Sara Park in Arizona.




'Storm brewing, let's go home,' she said. "Sure. As long as we define home as that peak," he answered. Guess who had egg on his face. ("At least it's protein," he added lamely.)




Jen (red top) waits on the shoulder, suspecting rain is imminent. I did not think it would rain until we got back to the car. Very convenient. It wasn't that bad sitting in the car after the hike, only a little soaked, but cleaner.




Coloring, formations and texture are a knockout in Golden Canyon, Death Valley.




Jenni surfacing from another canyon.




The two light intensities, sharply separated, create an interesting effect, somewhere in the Mojave.




Nevada's Big Dune. Commencing with a small one, moving on and up. What you can't see is 3 people chasing Jenni (see below).




What we found fascinating is the similarity in stride of Ellie with her Mom's. (If we did not know, we could have mistaken this photograph for Natalie as a child.) Benny stumbles and then recovers smartly. The big guy on the end came in third but was commended for effort by the kids.




Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey



On our return to Lake Poway, Mount Woodson, our favorite 'duck', Ossy, the Osprey, makes a long-awaited appearance and gives us the 'eye'. Where've you been, fella? Gone fishing? There's something fascinating about the raptors, which occupy the top or close to the top, of the food chain.




PS To Doug Morton with much appreciation for his incredible comments posted on the previous blog.

39.11 "Touched by the Great Colorado River—a tribute to it and its tributaries as well as Joanne and Ron."

At sunrise, a flock flying south reflect off the rising sun alongside Lake Powell and Glen Canyon Dam, Page, AZ.



A very special couple, Joanne and Ron Allegretto from Vancouver, whom we met in Palm Desert 6-7 years ago, made a comment that we thought both interesting and perceptive. Following their observation and the fact that we spent much time pursuing the Colorado River on this trip and on many other hikes over the years, decided to publish some pictures which we term, "Touched by the Great Colorado River—a tribute to it and its tributaries."

Far be it for us to profess to have teachable knowledge about the River and other topics; nevertheless, it's nice to share experiences that might inform and at the same time, entertain. Over the years we've developed an affinity for places, those in the wilds in particular. Why has it occurred: Who knows? We do realize that whether it be the Colorado River, The Sentinel in South Africa, Vihren Peak in Bulgaria and many, many others, one develops a sense of affection for those inanimate objects and places. They might occupy a part of one's soul although we're not even sure what the means—it sounds interesting though. Sharing a personal feeling, as a less than fully integrated transplant from South Africa, there's a certain satisfaction in discovering aspects of the new country (30 years already) that's perhaps more intimate and meaningful than that understood by many people, born and who have lived their whole lives, in this country. Perhaps a meaningless observation; nevertheless, it creates a sense of attachment, we believe.

More importantly, some of the people we've met have touched us deeply. Strange as it may seem, we can't think of anything more beautiful than witnessing and/or experiencing the kindness and care of strangers and of course, friends and acquaintances. Nothing is quite as both humbling and uplifting. To complete the thought, we began with Joanne and Ron (there are others, too) and so we'll conclude with them. After receiving an email from this couple, no matter what our moods may be at the time, life will suddenly appear much better than prior to reading their words. Thank you, indeed!

With that in mind, let's follow the great Colorado as it meanders through 4 states and appreciate both its beauty and the effect it has upon that which it touches.

This is our 1,000th publication on Hike-About. We conclude with a paragraph at the end which we believe needs expression although uttered (written) with heavy hearts.


The walls above the Colorado at Horseshoe Bend, at sunset, Page, AZ.




Trying to keep Lake Mead filled, Boulder City.




Lake Powell and Glen Canyon Dam, Page, further up the 'stream', at sunset.




Davis Dam, Nevada, another place it 'visits'.




Horseshoe Bend, Page, a fancy twist.




Why would you face Las Vegas at sunset and turn your back on Lake Mead? Beats me.




That's more like it. Jen on Fortification Peak in Arizona looking into Nevada with Hoover Dam below on the left. (Opposite side from above photo.)





The River flows while Jen stands at peak of Hamlin in Nevada.



Below the River, Jen climbs the ladder to reach the surface.




A different view of the River as it flows close to the Nevada/Arizona border.




Do you come here often? Unfortunately, I left my bathing suit in the car. Give me a minute...I need to get rid of an editor.




Sun, mountains and River. Who needs anything more? Well, after the caption above, peace in the home.



A scene at Parker Dam, Arizona, perhaps a dwindling River after much draining.



Lake Havasu enjoys the River, too. The desert is quite beautiful.




Returning from peak of Fortification, we spot the gap to Lake Mead filled by the River.




Brunch at Plateau Point, Grand Canyon, above the River.




It's no surprise that Lake Mead is one of our favorite bodies of water.



A 'drive-through' at Lake Powell, AZ, close to Utah.



Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey


If the statement below is understood as a political utterance than it is misunderstood completely.

We hate the acrimony pervading the country; we abhor attacks on people rather than arguing against their views; we're exasperated by trivializing historic periods and events in comparing them with current shallow opinions; we are disappointed when conclusions are based upon the narrative rather than facts; we hate the hatred, nastiness, bitterness, crudity and perhaps most importantly, the hypocrisy ... filling the country. We do see light, though. The light shines above the beautiful land and highlights it, revealing its magnificence. There's another source of illumination we witness, even more pronounced. It emanates from the many, but dwindling number, of decent people that abound. To those we've known for many years and the many we've met in the latter period, we salute you and are humbled and in awe of your generous and kind spirits.