Hold that flow.
The road from the car to the park and return, a hike in and of itself after a tough day.
This was another big day which included ascending some 3,500 feet. In the 5 hikes undertaken in the Zakopane region, we accumulated 600 feet less than 3 vertical miles. Because of the rocky underfoot, it does require careful treading, especially when the rocks and stones are wet. It also plays havoc with the feet. We sure miss the gravel trails even though they dirty our socks. Big deal! Nevertheless, the trails are constructed superbly and maintained accordingly. As for the locals, they seem enthusiastic about hiking and being outdoors. In addition, they are tough, focused, keen and fearless. This applies to all ages beginning with young kids and including kids in their sixties and seventies. The only issue we have with Zakopane is that being a wonderful city surrounded by terrific mountains, forests, lakes and other features of nature, causes the population to flock to it. It's incredibly busy. We have never seen trails used to such an extent. The strength of its advantages and benefits is also, from a personal point of view, a weakness because of the overcrowding. Apparently, there are not many parks of this caliber in the country and so people flock to it.
From our understanding of the languages spoken on the trails, we heard very little but Polish. We conclude that most of the hikers were locals.
A first sighting as we reach the peak.
The unmasking of the particularly scenic mountains
'The Great Wall of China' it's not but from above it made us think that way. Many people ride up on the cable car and then walk along the ridges before riding down again.
"Hey Jen, I think this route is a quicker way down."
A race to the top: The young and the less young with near on 50 feet to go.
Some hike, others fly to the top.
After about 1,000 feet of gain, we follow the cables to the top.
Love the position and the view. Slovakia to the left, Poland to the right and heavenly all about.
"These mountains are 'for the birds'...and people."
"I think I agree."
On the trails, it is not unusual to stop and converse with a fellow hiker. Quite often, the person will have no understanding of English while we'll have an equal ability to converse in their language. This would appear to be the perfect set-up for a communication problem. Yet, there are times when we enter into a conversation with a person which is more akin to an exchange of facial expressions that is surprisingly positive and at times, uplifting. On a Slovakian slope recently, I stopped to let an elderly woman pass but she appeared to be so out of breath that she preferred to rest and talk. We spoke and we probably did communicate in a fashion. The real point is that after I left her, still seeking to fill her lungs with air, I felt better than before we exchanged whatever we did. I like that very much.
One year in Spain, we pulled up to a pump to fill the car with gas. A young man came up to help. Once again, neither of us could reach the other in a common language unless 'Hola' counts for something. Quite a while later, after one of these long conversations, we hugged each other, said our farewells and parted. That I remember it and enjoy relating it indicates these innocuous occasions are meaningful. Imagine what happens when we meet an English speaker.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
As an aside, a picture from Demanovska Ice Cave, Slovakia...looks like a lion to us.
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