60:39 Bulgaria: Bezbog Lake and peaks, including a peek beyond the water.

Bezbog Lake with hotel/inn. The cable-car station is immediately behind the building.

There are three methods of reaching the lake and hut pictured above, the commencement point of many fine hikes and treks. Of course, one can drive up as there is a very rough track for those who have faith in motor car manufacturers. The cableway is the most popular and predominant manner of reaching Bezbog hut—it's a two-part system meaning that halfway-up passengers jump (literally) from an open-seat and make their way to the start of the second system where they jump backwards onto the approaching seat. (By the way, it's quite dangerous as the system doesn't halt or even slow the seat to allow a person to alight or board). Finally, there is the good old faithful and reliable method, 'shank's pony'. We chose the latter only to ascertain that we'd be using two legs rather than the four we sought. We had walked up at least twice before. 

  On our return journey, after passing the cable station at the halfway stage, we faced a situation where there appeared to be multi-paths heading back down to the starting point. Unfortunately, we chose incorrectly and lost our bearings in the dense forest. Some might suggest it was not only the forest that could be termed dense. It was a thickly vegetated area and one place looked much like another. We were unable to see through the trees toward the initial station we sought. We changed direction and walked to our left but after a while felt we were still taking an incorrect route. We altered course on two further occasions as well as followed what looked like warn paths, too. Nevertheless, we still did not feel comfortable about our direction. 

  Finally, we decided to retrace our footsteps and head toward our commencement point, always a slower process but usually safer. Fortunately, we arrived back at the 'junction' we had missed earlier. Turns out we overshot the small, 'hidden' sign by twenty feet or less. So close and yet...The oversight added another seventy-five minutes to the hike including an additional thousand feet of elevation gain. Big day but thanks to Jen, we were able to sleep at home that night. 

A break in the trees within the forest. Looking down while lost and seeking some direction...one of life's critical concepts.
The flowers helped.
Jen takes a break before returning down to the commencement point. The mountain ahead is a small one before reaching the challenging peaks that lie beyond.
The lake surface provided some fascination.
Two of the lower surrounding mountains...
...with an abundance of tree-covering.

One of the real mountains beyond those above: Polyzhon.
Always find this a fascinating sight. The lake and building are interesting, too. Jen reaches the initial top which is only the beginning from which the mountain trails head in three directions.

Town below, Dobrinishte, always attractive from height.
One of the views from below the peak: Polyzhon.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey