Interesting weather in Devin.
A few times a week, of course depending on where we are, we find ourselves in wide-open, natural spaces. It is a wonderful feeling; it’s as if a person is alone in a big, wide world. We know the world is a big place because we have walked about 9,000 miles over the last 9-and-a-bit years and have hardly gone anywhere. In fact, if we were to put things in perspective, it’s as if we have not left home (wherever that may be). Often, but not always, whether it’s on foot and in motion or while stopping for brunch, we look around and the first thing we try to remember is in which part of the world we are—which country to be precise. We don’t think it’s because our memories are fading but sometimes it’s just that—we get a little mixed up. Maybe it's an age issue after all.
Once we get that part sorted out, we think about where we are in relation to a village or small town. Out in the wide-open spaces means that we are some distance from cities and big towns. Another way of expressing it is that not only are we away from the familiarity of home but we are often in foreign lands which is compounded further at being in remote regions of these unfamiliar countries. It is wonderful that there are no vehicles about (except when we are lost), few people although we love meeting fellow hikers but at times, the tranquility and peace is interrupted by rowdy individuals. Today, and the last week in particular, we were the only people on the mountains, at least we did not see a sole other than two youngsters on only one of the hikes. There are usually horses, cattle, sheep and when we are fortunate, chamois, birds and probably many other animals that remain hidden. Of course, in Africa, the game is more prevalent.
As an aside, the various people of many nationalities we've met on Hikeabout has been one of the highlights of our adventure.
A while back in the Low Tatras in Slovakia, we heard a bear growling below. It sounded like it was in awful pain, resisting and whining about the hibernation period or seeking and missing a mate. Who knows as we do not understand the creatures other than to show them healthy respect and to keep our distance. We have come close on a few occasions but at each meeting, it was cordial and ended in the bear turning and going its own way. Just last Sunday, we heard what sounded like a bear in a forest outside of Devin. We strained our eyes to try spot the creature but apparently, it did not wish to be found...continues at end.
The town of Devin from some height.
The town from real height, Grebenets Peak, the other side through the telephoto.
Color our world, hence, the jacket.
An employment opportunity? Perhaps, a rest.
A hike to Grebenets Peak yonder, through the dense forests.
A place 2 hours, north:
After more than 2 hours on trail, mostly climbing, another 40 minutes to go on a spectacular finish.
En route to the summit, Mount Vihren, Bulgaria. (The second highest in the Balkans.)
Through gorgeous forests.
It's a country covered in trees.
...and this is how they drag them around. I stood and applauded the driver after he got the truck out of the ditch...he appreciated the gesture but still did not offer us a ride.
A rocky departure from Bezbog peak.
Back to the tranquility of the natural wide-open spaces. After returning from our destination, Chairski Lakes, and with more than an hour to go, we sat down to rest. We had been on the go for many hours, the last 2 at a brisk pace as we did not wish to return in failing light. From the sitting position, we moved to one of resting on our elbows, gazing into the distance and taking in the surroundings close-by, as well as basking in the sunshine of the late autumn days. We were engulfed in this massive array of trees and long grass, mountains surrounded us, sheep in the distance and the wind had picked up a little. We remembered we were in the Rhodope Mountains close to Greece, a particularly quiet range, still an hour and a bit walk from the village of Trigrad, which has a population of 618 people.
We each had our own thoughts and we shared some of them. We could be lost in the wilderness, (it’s happened before), short of food and warm clothing; we could meet hostile people or animals, the weather could change suddenly. In fact, so much on the negative side could occur including injuries and no one in the world would know or usually knows where we are that it was enough to question our thinking and lifestyle.
On the other hand, we could continue to breathe the fresh air, feel the upliftment of completing the hike and meeting another challenge or accomplishment, absorbing unique sights we see on each occasion, discovering more of the world, thinking of what it all means and evaluating ourselves in the context of a massive world. We also see ourselves as two tiny specks who will leave Planet Earth and be quickly forgotten although while here, we’ll treasure and savor every moment in which we undertake productive, challenging, meaningful and rewarding behavior—our effort versus reward principle enunciated, briefly. We absorb all of this and usually feel something move through our souls. The feeling occurs regularly, almost daily when out on the mountains and in different environments from our base. We realize we've been touched again and are most fortunate: Life on the road has been meaningful; in fact, extraordinary.
On the other hand, we could look at all the negatives facing us, turn inwards and...panic.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
A Fond Farewell to Eastern Europe—Slovakia.
From Kondraka Peak and Giewont—Poland
Sister of Vihren—Kutelo, Bulgaria.
Town of Bansko, mostly under cloud, viewed from trail of Kutelo.
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