Please understand nothing mentioned has anything to do with our behavior, characters or values. They are a completely different set of criteria which of course, will find us lacking and falling short. Nevertheless, a brief comment triggered earlier when we said to each other something of the order: "We could not imagine our lives over the past 12.5 years had it not contained involvement in 'Hike-about'.” Perhaps that's why one should never have a taste of something should one not be, able or allowed, to follow it through. It would be the cruelest of blows to acquire taste for something positive and be prevented from pursuing it. As a crude example, think of a dream during which you’re about to achieve the greatest accomplishment possible and have it interrupted. Upon waking, you learn that the action was in fact, real, everything about the moments were true but you will not be permitted to complete the mission.
Who knows what tomorrow will bring? Life changes on a dime. However, we are both grateful, deeply appreciative and feel most fortunate having faced the last period together and in circumstances we could never envisage...ever. Should life change forcing us to follow a less exciting direction, we think (hope) our past blessings of more than a dozen years will allow us to feel at least we did it and therefore, can feel satisfied and hopefully, fulfilled. BH'.
Perhaps what we are suggesting, demanding of ourselves, might be: 'Follow our dreams and aspirations and fail rather than arrive at the finishing post of life and utter that tiresome phrase: "WE SHOULD HAVE".
For a change, I sidetracked myself. I intended to write that today's hike and experience was probably one of the most enjoyable outings ever. The hike had mountains, lakes, rocks, steep inclines and hence declines, heavy clouds and fog or mist, wonderful sights including that of the town from differing angles and more importantly, it all combined to make us feel superb. Jenni is her own person so I can't express her feelings, but this was one of those days when I hit the spot...reached a figurative high, the best kind.
Jen begins the 3rd stage of the climb. To the left and beyond the butte lies the town of Pas de la Casa, close to the French border.
A prism or two as we reach the first lake, surprisingly quickly. The other side of the lake is actually France.
Nestled in the valley below is the town of Pas de La Casa.
We begin the steeper climb amongst something common in the country, stones and rocks. Jenni, bottom right.
Not only can we not get the horse to drink, we can't even get it to the water.
Quite a climb...Quite a woman.
Town through the telephoto.
Jen on the way down (literally that is), the second decline.
To some, it might appear rough and bleak. One climbs to reach a summit, drops down into the bowl below followed by a big move upwards. It's a good idea to undertake a u-turn when in the bowl, maybe earlier, 'more relaxing'.
Jen reaches the penultimate top, heading for another peak as the mist joins us.
A view at the top, another environment while the mist begins to lift. Some may say, "The other side of the mountain". We ate brunch in the hope that it would give nature an opportunity to clear the decks. It did.
On our return, the mist/fog lifts and we are fortunate to have uninterrupted views.
While the horses graze on the lake banks.
We approach the town, ski-slopes visible.
Weather action at the peak...only the beginning.
Brunch spot, top-right, viewed on our way down.
As we crest the final pass on the way down, phew! We're on the right track.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
"I already told the dummy that passed by earlier: 'There are no flies on me'. Don't you guys listen?"
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