Something from Slovenia, an understated beauty.

Kozjac Gorge, Slovenia.





Svinjak Peak from ground-level. (Slovenia)







From the peak of above photo.





Triglav, the highest.





Lake Bled.





Jenni below Vogel Peak.




A very attractive country...aren't they all.



Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey

41.25 Idaho, Ketchum: Ruud Mountain, across the way from Bald Mountain.

This finally closes the trip covering a little of Nevada, a bit more of Idaho and much more of Utah.

It's probably fair to state that the depth of nature's impact on landscapes, formations, colors, variation and a whole host of other criteria is limitless within the United States and more particularly, the western states.


Jen rises.




Overpowering mountains to the fore, magnificent covered peaks in the background.




Flowers were and are outstanding.




Ground cover is gorgeous.




Her body posture is suggesting 'she's puzzled we're not there yet'.



Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey

41.24: Utah, near Salt Lake City: Lake Blanche

A hike up to another of Salt Lake City's numerous alpine lakes. Most seem to 'float' at about 9,000 feet, usually with hiking elevation gains of 2,000 to 3,000 feet, this one being over 2,700 feet. Some of the track is testing but the destination point is rewarding. This hike and endpoint, includes two other lakes, Florence and Lillian, both adding to pleasure. The whole experience, complemented by the surrounding mountains, the deep valley and the different rock formations proved superb.



The tranquility reflects off the water.





Did some painting in our spare moments.











Contrasting formations







Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey

Utah: Ordinary water scenes that proved remarkable.

Bell Falls, the flow beyond it.





Hilldale, Utah.




Hilldale, Utah.



Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey

41.22 Utah, Salt Lake City: Grandeur Peak ... indeed. 41.23 Twin Lakes, Brighton ski resort.

The contrast between the northern and southern parts of Utah reveals more about artificial political boundaries than geographic aspects of states. (This is most obvious on the Utah-Arizona border where man has separated almost identical land formations.) The northern region of Utah has high mountains, thick vegetation and water. The latter is semi-desert with landscapes of unusual formations and, colors comprising hues of red, burnt orange, yellow and browns, amongst others. It's fascinating and provides the viewer and explorer an opportunity to experience multi-facets of nature in a single state. Were Utah an independent country, this variety would be even more useful as one could experience it without the need for a passport and visa.



Telephoto from Grandeur Peak brings in downtown SLC.




From the peak, we enjoy a partial Salt Lake.




From Grandeur Peak, Jenni eyes the 'brutal' Mount Olympus, reached 4 day's earlier.




The growth is a little thick in there—always a good idea to be alert.




Oh! Oh! Rattler spots Jenni and takes cover. (Who can blame it?)




A view west. It gives one an indication of the vast open lands outside the cities.




Twin Lakes in the Brighton region.



Enjoying the views after a good sweat ... aren't they all ... the sweats?




Approaching a very steep area but lot's of snow to keep us cool.




"Let's not point fingers but ..."



Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey

Mostly Random, but a tiny Collection of Attractive Places which produced Fond Memories.

From time-to-time, people have asked which is the best hike, the best country or location, the most exciting incident not forgetting best meal, we have undertaken Huh! We do remember a chocolate éclair some 8 years ago...pardon us. One woman asked Jenni where she has her hair done? Hmm! Never wishing or even considering being rude, should a visit to the beauty salon while on the trails be a priority, then I'm afraid the rugged part of nature might not be for that type of person.

Returning to the preface about best sights, hikes and places, we (I) often look through some of the photographs. I sometimes try to choose my favorite 5 and find in no time the number reaches fifty and that's soon after beginning. By that time, I usually give up. Mood is also a determinant and of course bias. At times, the camera and lack of competence behind it fails to capture the real beauty that the eye and mind beholds. Sometimes, the camera may even exaggerate the result although this does not occur frequently.

I began this exercise with the intent of posting thirty-six photographs, chosen at random, and realized the quantity in the selection would always be a problem. Jen suggested a good sprinkling of countries. I also omitted recent postings (except Nepal) as well as those where the editor had caught me misbehaving—she thinks that's a large number in and of itself. So I just stopped, deleted a few and found I had in fact forty-five remaining and many hundreds more that I thought, if I had approached the process diligently, would prove easily to be superior. In fact, I know that to be the case but I was lazy in not searching properly. Then I really gave up.

We do hope these are worthwhile.



Kenmo Lake, Himeville, South Africa. (Where we met Doug Morton).





Lake Mead with Fortification Hill behind, Nevada.




Machu Picchu Mountain above the ruins, 2,000 feet below, Peru.




Otter Trail, Cape, South Africa.




7 Lakes, Bulgaria.




Crete, Greece.





Birthday girl pique/peaked in Tucson.




Iguazu Falls, Argentina.




More fun than the rain in...Spain.




Standing on Pic Tristaina, Andorra, looking into France below and beyond.




Kleinmond, Western Cape, RSA.




Bretton Woods, New Hampshire from part-way up Mount Eisenhower—'feel the blur'.




Plitvica, Croatia.




A view from Mount Sulur, Iceland.




Dawn at Tongariro, New Zealand. (black lava rock effected by sun.)




Barenschutzklamm, Austria.




Hogsback, Eastern Cape, RSA. The final push down and lift up.




Jen returning, passing Balea Lakes, Romania, on the way down.




Jenni on Koncheto ridge, Bulgaria.




Sani Pass, Lesotho.




Wheeler Peak, New Mexico.




Bryce Canyon, Utah.




Avalanche Peak, New Zealand.




Indian Venster Trail, Table Mountain, South Africa.




Koncheto Ridge, Bulgaria.



Sunset on the Danube; evening lights of Budapest, Hungary.



Big Dunes in Nevada.




Green Lake, Slovakia.




Mala Mojstrovka, Slovenia.




Iguazu Falls, Argentina.




Virgin River, Utah. (Sometimes it's good to have the editor cool down a few degrees.)




Standing on Kaprovsky Peak, Slovakia. (What a day!)




Pico Veleta, Spain's second highest, losing by only a few feet.




'Hey, Dunes', Death Valley, California.




Sliding Sands, Haleakala, Hawaii.




Capitol Reef, Utah.




Sunset at the cliffs, Reenen, in the Free State, RSA.




Koncheto ridge, opposite Mount Vihren, Bulgaria.




A view from the Frenchman, Nevada.




La Serrara Peak, Andorra, alongside France.




Dawn at Keurboomstrand, South Africa.




Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey



Nepal supplement, couldn't resist.



'Fish Tail', at dusk, Nepal.




It snowed while we were out...these summer storms … tsk,tsk!




Mount Everest at rear and Lhotse to the side.




Everest Base Camp.





Annapurna at night.




Dog Day Dawn above 17,000 feet.