LAZAROW WORLD HIKE-ABOUT

Eastern Cape, South Africa: Storms River region.

'LAZAROW WORLD HIKE-ABOUT: WHAT IN THE WORLD IS HIKE-ABOUT?'

Hike-about is an adventure that commenced June 2010. After storing our household movables, ridding ourselves of a house but retaining our 'home' together, we set off with the purpose of hiking in different parts of the world, not forgetting the home country, the USA.

Our primary focus is hiking to mountain peaks but any challenging hike will do just fine. Extended stays enable us to enjoy and experience living in various places amongst differing cultures. Hike-about has evolved into a way of life. It's also a process of discovery, both the world and ourselves.

We work and live 'on the road' but return to the city in which our grandchildren reside, every couple of months. This provides us the wonderful opportunity to be with them as well as a child or two, even three and of course, friends.

By the end of 2023, the blog contained over 1,560 hikes (less than that actually undertaken), each a set of pictures with stories and anecdotes from the trails. An index to the right allows the viewer to identify earlier experiences.

Finally, we are often asked about the journey's end.
O
ur reply, as accurate as we can state, is: "When we are either forced to cease through health issues or the enjoyment level no longer reaches our aspirations, we will hang up the boots."

"A Life Experience As No Other: Dare to Seize the Day Together", published by Fulton Books, depicts our life on the road and mountains until the beginning of 2017. It has developed 'exponentially' since then.

Jenni and Jeffrey Lazarow

Whereas we continue to update the blog regularly, we circulate email notifications infrequently.

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

61.18: Arizona: Lake Havasu: Blue Trail to Balancing Rock and a scramble to summit of the background mountain.

  We returned to Lake Havasu for an even longer period than our initial stay in December. We suppose that's the advantage of not locking into property, fixed or otherwise. Anyway, we like the concept or should we say, love it, an idea we discussed in depth with Turk who joined us on the trail.   

  It was a fascinating period which culminated in a rather tricky climb and return to/from a summit behind the destination point. We've never attempted this before having not noticed a way up. We still did not find a trail, goat path or otherwise. I decided to scramble up to the top or as far as I could make it and report back to my boss, Jennifer, whether she would like the trail and climb. I don't think she will join me in the unlikely event I repeat the scramble. However, in the interests of longevity, peace in the home and on the trails, I don't think I should; life is challenging enough. Nevertheless, it was spectacular and testing. 

  The first three pictures have a story to tell or a story to display. Take a look and be careful when viewing the third, the crescendo...okay, perhaps a little dramatic but you had to be there. Actually, it's a lot easier to be where you are. 

The name of the destination is 'Balancing Rock'. It's a wonderful hike with amazing views along the lake/river. The rock stands proud, separate and aloof...as far as rocks might develop a personality.
The toilet and picnic table for campers at the lake edge shown separately, jutting into the water (Keep an eye on the structures). Balancing rock stands proudly as usual on its own in the foreground.
Combine the above two photographs and it brings it all together, beauty in unity. A unified scene. (Focus on the rock and above).
Inspired by Turk, I found myself scrambling off trail (no trail) to the summit of the mountain above the lake. It was a spectacular experience requiring some skill, a little daring and ideally, not much in the way of brains. It was a first time experience as I never realized it was climable. (Pictured at the high point, middle of photo).
Perhaps one of the most memorable photographs I've taken. From the top of the scramble, Jen can be seen on the jutting rock to the right of the covered picnic table. The combination of rugged mountains, serene turqoise water, colorful flora plus knowing Jen was standing on terra-firma and thus safe, provide a tiny, personal highlight to my life. 
We enjoy our daily intake of humility as nature sets some tough obstacles amongst its beauty. The tiny figure at the rear on the right is one of us after an extremely steep scramble.
While no man is an island, Jen seems to have found her niche on a peninsular surrounded in beauty. 
  The easy part is being on the top; the up-and-down is somewhat trickier.
Closing with a first time view from the peak toward the City of Havasu.
Jen negotiates a slanting, scree-covered path as she heads down toward our brunch spot. We've left many crumbs at that position over the years.
Another view, a different angle with Jenni returning to the table.
A couple of 'burning bushes'.
Let's go home...safely, Turk.

We find that for most days, on the trails, we are blessed with wonder and splendor.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

1 comment:

Sandy said...

Such beauty & tranquility is what we all need in our lives during these trying times. Keep enjoying.xoxo