This blog is dedicated to the many people we've met throughout our travels, those who have shown an interest in our adventure and hopefully, to those who may not have seen some of the beauty and remarkable aspects firsthand, but enjoy having it appear on their screens. Special thanks to Denise Sneag who has helped with our postal requirements. We would love to mention the many people we've met on the slopes, those we still correspond with but fear the list would be incomplete. We cannot express sufficiently the difference you've all made in your own way, the lessons you've taught us. We thank you. Finally, to those who find the time and effort to comment, criticize, amuse but really, to keep the communication channels open, we are most grateful.
We thought we'd begin with ten photographs, one for each year. It did not take long to realize while that seemed logical, it was one of the dumbest ideas I've had. I can write with experience because of the long line of similar ideas that preceded that one. Anyway, how do you select from thousands of photographs. Impossible. So we selected that which came to mind, those we really liked while perusing the albums, the mood at the time, and mostly, trying to cover each country. We've treated US states as countries and still omitted a few of those. Over all, we failed but whose perfect?
I have much to be grateful for but nothing compares with the kindness and care afforded me by Jenni née Benjamin.
She ain't heavy because she's my...wife. Without her, none of this would be possible. Jenni is the only person
in the world with whom I could share this type of life or any other for that matter.
Arbel Cliffs, Israel, 'one hot August day (night) near Tiberias'.
Glacial river observed as we rise on Mount Kristinartindar, Iceland.
Selfoss, Iceland.
Machu Picchu, Peru.
A diversion in Slovakia.
Reaching Angels Landing, Zion National Park, Utah.
Scaling Plateau Point at Grand Canyon, Arizona, a premier destination. (Colorado River below.)
Kenmo Lake soon after dawn, South Africa.
Nepal: Everest base camp with the icon protruding in the background.
Sliding Sands trail continuing on 3-day trek through Haleakala Volcano, in Hawaii.
Iguazu Falls, Argentina.
Peaking on Mount Vihren, Bulgaria.
Island of La Reunion (French), Indian Ocean.
Golden Canyon, Death Valley, California.
Early summer in Dolomites, Italy. (Can't even begin to imagine winter.)
Soko Banja, Serbia: From a peak, a castle.
Kutelo Ridge, Bulgaria.
'The Dunes' in Nevada.
Alpage de Loriaz, Chamonix, France.
Pico de Veleta, Spain's 2nd highest.
Wheeler Peak, New Mexico's highest.
5-day Otter Trail, South Africa.
Avalanche Peak, New Zealand.
Seefeld Spitze, Austria, on the way down as it begins to snow.
Kleinmond, Cape, South Africa.
Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido, Spain.
Via Ferrata, Pamporovo, Bulgaria
Indian Venster Trail, Table Mountain, South Africa.
Heading toward Pic Besali, Andorra (looking a little rebellious.)
Mala Mojstrovka, Slovenia.
Making an exception for city photographs, the Danube through Budapest, Hungary.
Bryce Canyon, Utah.
Last light at Lake Mead, Nevada.
Poland, Zakopane after a long trek.
Dune racer at Kelso, California: Go figure!
BarenschutzKlamm, Austria.
Reflections in the early morning in Hilldale, Utah.
Plitvika, Croatia.
Heading towards Mount Olympus Peak, Greece.
Norton Peak, Idaho.
Heading toward and reaching Kaprovsky Peak, Slovakia, bordering Poland.
Bavaria, Germany.
Sunrise in El Chalten, Patagonia, Argentina.
Valley of Fire, Nevada, at sunrise...the double wave.
Peak 2000 feet above Machu Picchu, Peru.
Iguazu Falls, Argentina...Brazil border behind.
Berchegi, Romania
Gibraltar.
Boronia Peak, Grampians, Australia.
Swaziland amongst the animals and on the mountains.
Part of Jungfrau Mountain range from Kleine Scheidegg trail, Switzerland.
Mount Taranaki, New Plymouth, New Zealand.
More Haleakala, Hawaii.
Lesotho: Top of Sani Pass, looking into South Africa after 3,000 feet gain, at dawn.
Wright Falls, New Zealand. Little did I know what was in store for me as I slipped into the pond below the rim.
We reached a milestone, ten years ‘on the road’, a decade of Hike-About in which we have traveled to different parts of the world, including the American West extensively, to hike and explore, mainly mountains. Thus far it has been a helluva ride and we hope strongly that the adventure continues. In fact, more than hope—we aim to make it happen, health permitting.
On the physical side, one develops a perspective different from that of a much younger person. No matter how much we exercise, and outside the extensive hiking we undertake, we try to build and strengthen muscles, bones, organs and probably, most of all, our minds. Never realized life could be so complex.
Age is obviously an element outside our control but will prove to be a decisive factor in our lives, just as is typical for each of us. Nevertheless, there are methods of managing the aging process and although one prefers not to dwell upon it, we fully understand we have an expiry date, notwithstanding a non-specific label. The tougher aspect is that while most humans strive to reach the greatest quantity of years possible, the system does not allow the quality of the human to remain constant. The reality is that we degrade in mind, body and often because of this degradation, it affects the spirit negatively, too. Not an awful lot to look forward to, logically speaking. Well, that portrays a rather bleak prescription for the latter years. While true, it doesn’t have to be negative. Don’t underestimate a vital aspect to the life experience, something we have to remind ourselves constantly: In fact, there are two considerations: Attitude and experience.
Attitude may be the single biggest factor in living a full, meaningful and delightful life. A good attitude, a positive and upbeat approach, does not guarantee a smooth path through the life cycle, but we will assure you it does enhance whatever is ‘coming down the pike’—it makes the best of whatever a person’s attributes. We wish we could shout out that we have had and have great attitudes. We cannot. However, we do stand by the statement that we have persevered in improving our attitudes and have found this to be life changing, and naturally, for the better.
We mentioned experience as another critical factor. Experience is the equivalent or equalizing an older person’s judgement with a young person’s abilities. While an older person may not be as alert, having lived through many experiences enables that person to accumulate practical knowledge of life. One might say youth understands the theoretical while experience has enacted the theory.
Moving on and away from the philosophical side of life, we thought it fitting to deal with some of the aspects of ‘living on the road’. Specifically, the people and life enhancing experiences other than that of hiking and climbing adventures, our main goals. While we always expected to meet people from around the world, we did not quite envisage the circumstances in which those situations would develop or the types of encounters...(may continue later...)
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
