Lazarow World-Hike-About

We wanted to be in Eastern Europe for autumn, particularly, Slovakia and Bulgaria. I think it was one of our better decisions. To walk around the land surrounded in color as we have experienced has a profound effect on a person. Viewing the foliage from above provides a particularly advantageous...can we repeat 'advantage?' The hike proved to be steep (which we welcome) but a little on the short side. We added a bit of mileage to it as we parked some distance from the trailhead. The trail, like many we have undertaken since Piren Park, was deserted. The attraction is for people to hire the services of a jeep tour company to transport them on a really rough road up to the Eagle's perch. Apparently, the rough road is part of the thrill. Being cowards, we prefer to hike up-and-down. A hotel we passed along the way up. Jen takes to the 'Eagle Eye' platform. Closer examination at the 'coalface'. Returning from below. A...

We couldn't remember whether we were supposed to distinguish the wood for the trees; maybe it was separating the wood or trees from the forest. Anyway, we thought it attractive. It took a while to find a starting point for a hike which resulted in a 3,000 feet elevation gain, mostly in forests, gorgeous ones at that. We had arrived in Sofia (again) the day before to return a car and collect another. It sounds strange but the complication occurred because of a number of changes that we made to our plans when we decided to forego Ukraine. Rather than become embroiled in the Trump-Biden-Ukraine controversies, we decided adding the Lazarow name to the scandal would further exacerbate the impeachment debacle. Heck, we're simple people—we just want to trudge up mountains, walk down again and then spend the evening wondering why we do such things. So, we found ourselves in the sprawling city of Sofia, at the mercy of aggressive Bulgarian drivers who, like our fellow South A...

Jen makes her way under the chairlift. To state that the natural scenes in Bulgaria are outstanding is superfluous. We don't think our thoughts and words are able to capture the essence of the beauty which in and of itself is obvious. Most parts of the world are beautiful so one should not interpret the earlier comment pertaining to this country only. Nevertheless, the autumn colors, the mountains and alpine lakes and the manner of reaching these positions on foot are awesome. We discovered this last year and our return to this region is as a consequence of the earlier visit and an endorsement of our earlier opinion and view, the latter in both meanings of the word. Besides the outstanding visits to Pirin National Park, a place covered in mountains including a couple of hikes we rate our best, Rila Lakes provides access to alpine lakes, specifically, the 7 Rila Lakes. We visited the park on two separate days and approached the hikes differently. In fact, for a person to c...

Muratova Lake, a different view from usual. Muratova, summer and autumn, mixed seasons. Rybko Lake, extraordinary because of weather issues. A grey day turned out to be ideal. Above Rybko Lake on the way to a third lake with an unpronounceable name. Strolling on Kutelo Peak and ridge. 3rd highest point in Bulgaria, 20 feet less than number 2, 60 feet less than number 1. A little intimacy on the cliffs, after a long way down from Kutelo Peak. Bezbog Hut (first hike). Below Bezbog Peak. The view from Vihren and Kutelo Peaks; mountains, ridges and towns below. Jen stands on Vihren Peak. Here comes Jenni, bottom of Bezbog peak. Bezbog Hut (second hike), a favorite spot. Cheers, Jenni and Jeffrey Walking back from Bezbog hut under the non-working ski-lift on the day. We have often wondered about the concept of putting the cart before the horse but never on the side. In the scene above, which we witnessed on the way dow...