Some nostalgia: Mostly Dawn and Dusk Around the World.

As we head for Europe, it's been a while Mr. Covid, we remind ourselves for the 100th occasion what a beautiful world we inhabit. We never require reminding but the reminiscing spurs us on to renewing acquaintances sooner rather than later. After all, the planet is going to be around, and spinning about, for infinity while our days, dare we say years, are extremely limited. 

Glacier in Iceland, late afternoon. 
Early morning, Bryce Amphitheater, Utah.
Caught in an electric storm on peak of Casamanya, Andorra. Not such a great (safe) sunrise but exciting nevertheless.
Part 2, on Casamanya
Kenmo Lake after dawn, South Africa.
Along the spine in Hawaii.
Lake Mead, Nevada side, at dusk.
Taking to the air at Mount Woodson, San Diego.
Devil's Ravine approach to Devil's Peak, Cape Town.
Refracted rays at Woodson. 

  Chamonix, France.
Mount 'Doom' at dawn, New Zealand.
Mount Sulur, Iceland.

Golden Gate Park at sunset, South Africa.
Nasty surprise awaits at the top, New Zealand.
Reflecting in Utah.
At the cathedral in Sedona, AZ.
The Eagle has landed...not funny, I'll admit.

Dawn in Hawaii.
Dusk in Nepal.
Marla overnight hike, French Indian Ocean Island of La Reunion. 
Above the clouds at dawn in the Drakensberg at the amphitheatre.
Somewhere in Poland.
Dawn, El Chalten, Argentina.
Dawn viewed from Iron Mountain, San Diego as the sun pours into a crevice.
Slow climb, missed dawn but very early for dusk, Olympia, Washington.
Slow again, arriving at a peak in Andorra.
Dawn at Keurboomstrand, South Africa.
The tricky India Venster hike up Table Mountain, Cape Town.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

54:28/29/30/31 Drakensberg: Little Switzerland: 'Lone Tree' and 'The Cone'. Across the way, a number of miles distant, Drakensberg Retreat and Dumbe including trails.

Farewell to the Drakensberg. 

Early morning in the Northern Drakensberg. 

The view from the Lone Tree.
She forgot her wallet; hence, enter through the 'backdoor'.
A view from Little Switzerland of the antennae near the Drakensberg Retreat.
The antennae from below on the other side, Dumbe.
Directly 'under the influence' of the tower.
He has a view down as he approaches the top.

Heading to 'The Cone'.
'Conewards.'
Nature sure knows how to turn on the charm. 

 Mobile antenna in the Rainbow Nation.
Jen approaches the final part of 'The Cone'.

A view of the chalets from 'The Cone'.
Most mornings at the Drakensberg (Re)Treat, we enjoyed views of animals and/or clouds partly-covering the 'Berg. Yet, for all mornings, it was a treat awakening in the region.

A regular couple. (Eland)
An odd couple.
Cheers, 

 Jenni and Jeffrey

Slovenia: Some Highlights, looking forward to a return visit. Heck, the world is too large for a lifetime, or even many.

Jen reaches the pinnacle in Slovenia, looking into Italy. The previous day, a little further away, we stood on the border of Slovenia, Italy and Austria—we had breakfast in the latter country. Call us strange but there's something superb in crossing international borders on foot.

Standing on Mount Kanin.
They keep a map of Southern Africa for reference.

What was quite memorable on this trip was the occasion when I returned from a trailhead. Jen injured herself in a fall a couple days before and I hiked on my own a few times thereafter. I was ten minutes away from our apartment, hike completed, when a guard stopped me on the pass. They had closed the road for repairs. I was stuck. After research, seeking advice from various people, to return home I had to drive back and past the trailhead, spend a further 40 minutes on the road in Slovenia, enter Italy, pass Austria and eventually arrive back in Slovenia to our apartment. What an experience. 

Another funny part, although not as humorous at the time, was when I spotted 3 cyclists stationary at the side of the road. I wanted to ask for directions. Understandably, I was not feeling particularly relaxed at the time. One of the fellas, as I approached, signaled for me to halt before I could make a request. He then handed me a phone and instructed me to take a picture of the trio of Italians. Fortunately, one of the other guys provided good advice in respect of directions.

By coincidence, we met Jackie and David Diamond in the Lake Bled region. We had both planned to visit the country, unbeknown to the families. However, we learned of each other's planned visit prior to arrival. It was memorable having dinner with them.

Svinjak, beyond the first peak.
Backpack makes it to Svinjak without us. Electronic age is truly remarkable...never forgetting a good deodorant.

Spooky?

Have to display Lake Bled if a person's been to Slovenia.
Brought to his hands and knees, 'for a change'.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey