55: Views of 'Civilization' from Peaks, Mountains and Height in Various Countries, plus Other Delights.

Svinjak, Slovenia...the climb was so steep, we still feel the after-effects.

Budapest, Hungary.

 There are days, understandably, when the behavior of the citizens of our societies are less than stellar. When we realized and recognize our many personal shortcomings and failings, we thought it might be easier to understand the cruelty, acrimony, hatred, hypocrisy, bitterness, anger, jealousy, viciousness et al of many of our fellow humans. After all, we're one of the gang, the crowd, part of the species. Unfortunately, there are days that being a human is just plain sad. 

 We don't subscribe to the easily thrown around concept that "people are basically good". Frankly, it's both nonsense and a grave insult to those whom are decent. We believe, like all things, people have to choose. Being good is a choice...and an extremely difficult one. Nevertheless, it is the ultimate decision and action for a person to make and implement. In fact, each day (moment), we face the choice. As an aside, we count one of our blessings as the privilege of meeting and knowing decent people. 

 It was years after learning of the argument Abraham encountered with G-d that we understood the concept clearly. Briefly, the conclusion was Abraham begged G-d not to to destroy the world should He find in it ten good men or women. It was when we experienced the kindness of a stranger that we believed one good person can save the world. 

 Why philosophy in this forum? Jen and I, through what I'd call a developing process, have learned to live at times in a different space (place) from what had been our usual abode. Clearly, it's not entirely physical. Call it metaphysical, perhaps. However, it's within the bounds of nature, undisturbed by the noise, commotion, routine and friction surrounding places where civilization dominates. It's a space where a person may enter, absorb the tranquility and beauty while exploring life, a springboard to an alternate world. Invariably, it's in the wilderness but strangely enough, it occurs in inhabited places, too. A person makes it occur. It's a state of mind influenced by an approach to life, of living, of life. 

 This blog differs from the usual as the preamble states. When we need to get back to our private space, seeking pictures of our experiences acts not as a means of returning to this heaven, but rather, is a catalyst of why we should seek to find what makes our lives more meaningful and fulfilling. Ideally, we should do good, or at least, do no harm, seek our purpose, hence, discover our passion. 

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 This blog covers most of the countries we've visited over the last 12 years. Unfortunately, to select one-or-two photographs from each country is an exercise in futility. Nevertheless, the idea is not to select the best pictures (impossible), but rather, to have a representative from the country or in the case of the United States, a state. The concept is to display scenes taken from peaks, mountains or other high positions above towns, cities and other relevant places. The idea is to give the viewer a perspective of 'structural civilization' from heights in the wilderness, mostly. 

  We thought it might provide a different emphasis as well as showing that while every place is different, there is much similarity. The greater the length from the subject, in both elevation and distance, the less the differentials. 

  We have also interspersed the display with images from the UCAN states. This is a self-termed area that provides the colors and contrasts of what has surprisingly become our favorite landscapes, the deserts. Who would have thought! (Utah, California, Arizona and Nevada. UCAN). 

 While we set out to show mostly towns from above, either through lack of discipline or a wish for variation, other images made their way into the display. We are currently in Europe and over the years, have found the continent beautiful. However, it seems to lack the diversity of the Western United States which bring hues of colors and incredible landscapes to the fore. There's nothing less controversial than debating rugged beauty—whether this part is more beautiful than some other part. It's easy—they're all delightful.

 

Kleinmond, Cape, South Africa.
Gooseneck State Park, Utah.
Nepal: Finally, approaching Everest Base Camp.

Indian Ocean, La Reunion Island, France.
Casares, Cerro los Chapas, Southern Spain.
Bretton Woods, New Hampshire from Mount Eisenhower.
Sbebe Rock, Swaziland.
The Dolomites, Italy, times 2.

Loma Tumbado, Patagonia, Argentina  

Geisterklam, Bavaria, Germany.

Las Vegas highlighted at sunrise, from Black Mountain.
Gibraltar, Britain. (Spain-that should be enough to 'stir the pot' a bit.)
Indian Venster, Table Mountain, Cape Town.
Heading toward Roy's Peak, New Zealand.

Alomana Peak, Hawaii.
Chamonix, France.
Seydisfjordur, Iceland.
Pic Coma Pedrosa, Andorra, the country's highest peak.

Senj, Croatia.

Norton Peak, Idaho. (Very little happening at ground level in the state).


Mount Vihren, Bulgaria (love that place).
Berchegi, Romania, (home of Julia and George).
Fortification Hill, Nevada/Arizona, Lake Mead.
Sedlo Pod Ostrau, Slovakia (Love that place, too.)
Galetovek, Slovenia.
Brasov, Romania.
Perhaps the greatest single, natural wonder of the world. Grand Canyon, above Colorado River, Plateau Point, Arizona.
Crete, Greece.
Mesquite Flats, Death Valley, California.
Sliding Sands, Haleakala, Hawaii, one of our favorite views.
Estany Fourcat, border of France and Andorra.
Capitol Reefs, Utah. A show-off should look before leaping...it would help.

Grampians, Australia. Not a minute later and he still has not learned.
Via Ferrata, Pamporovo, Bulgaria...town to the left-rear.
Pico Veleta, above town of Prodallano, Spain at 11,053 feet giving a view into North Africa.
Enlargement of the ski town below as glimpsed in photo above.
Namche Bazaar, Nepal.
Aasvoel Hike, Western Cape, RSA.
Near San Carlos Bariloche, Argentina.
Berryessa, California. 

  Lake Oso, Zakopane, Poland. 

  Dingboche, Nepal.

Avalanche Peak, New Zealand.
Anza Borrego Desert, California.
The Danube makes a turn in Hungary.
From Lava Butte, Nevada.
Sani Pass, Lesotho.

Machu Picchu, Peru.

US Virgin Islands.
Soko Banya, Serbia.
Mount Humphreys, Flagstaff, Arizona, the state's highest peak. 

  Returning from Dumbier Peak, Slovakia.

Meteora, Greece.
Franschoek, South Africa.
Argentina: Cerro Catedral and Refugi Lynch.

 

Mount Borah, Idaho.
Catalina Island, California.
Akureyri, below Mount Sulur, Iceland.
Bystra, Slovakia.

Devon, Bulgaria.

Holenstein, Switzerland.
Seefeld Spitze, Austria.

Arbel Cliffs, Israel. (Originals lost).

Singapore. (Originals lost) Canada (Lost, too)

Crater Lake, Oregon.


Lake Bled, Slovenia.
Mount Tallac, California/Nevada.
Death Valley, California (not a lot of towns/villages around). 

  Death Valley, California. (Couldn't decide, chose both).

Twelve Apostles Approach on Table Mountain, Cape Town with Lion's Head prominent.

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey