Lazarow World-Hike-About

  San Ramon and the various towns and cities close to and surrounding the greater Bay area are most attractive, especially the adjoining mountains. Once a person has reached a good vantage point, the views of parts of the bay, the cities and surround are most pleasant on the eye. Outside of summer, the hills are lush, the wildflowers colorful, all providing an upbeat feeling when negotiating the steeper positions. Moving further east by way of contrast, Lake Havasu, part of the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, might give the impression of being in a harsh, dull and an uninteresting environment. While both regions enjoy colorful winters, in a sense, the summers are similar in coloring, but the temperatures differ by wide margins.    The concept or point is while one would expect vibrant colors in San Ramon et al, in the Sonoran Desert one would anticipate a harsh and colorless environment. This is not true. Deserts outside summer can range from fascinating and colorful to s...

Love on the rocks and other delights...Jen wondering about the return route. "I wanna go higher"...big deal!   When we head for Nevada, which has very attractive landscapes, we limit our risk taking to the climbs and boulder hopping rather than the dark, sleazy places. Each aspect of life has risk and while the priority is to avoid or certainly limit the downside, we sure have more control of our feet- and hand- placing, than of of our chips. In our first trip to Las Vegas, which occurred in December 1975, (we were a little younger then being all of 23 years old and probably wiser than we are today). We are grateful for a lesson well learned, and quickly, too, during a short period.    We visited a casino and played roulette with $1 chips. We enjoyed some success. We returned to the hotel and calculated, based upon our system, that instead of using the lowest denomination chips, we should upgrade to the $5 level. Our system seemed a good one and we would ret...

Morro Bay viewed from the Hazard Peak trail through a telephoto lens. On a walk near the bay, many miles closer than the above position. Morro Bay at a further distance from the opening photograph, providing a wider and deeper perspective. A different view of the bay and sand dunes. One of us ready to take the bend. A crooked path adds to the mileage. Who's complaining? A couple of "birds eyes' views", cross-necked rather than cross-eyed and 'necking' in a beautiful region. Lush and a little intimidating. The peak of a previous hike, Valencia. We met a guy at the top who ran up in a ridiculous time...it was embarrassing...for us. 'Blue Water, White Death'...oops, who brought the great white? However, this is far better than the original. Focusing on the morro from which the quaint town takes its name. Cheers,  Jenni and Jeffrey  Serenity in a very agitated world...we like to grab such opportunities.   The final 2 of the...

 We love, which seems paradoxical, the fact that in the desert regions of the western states, exist some of the finest examples of lakes, dams and rivers, not to forget incredible landscapes, rock formations and coloring. We'll halt there. Need we mention the Colorado River, Lakes Havasu, Powell, Mead, Roosevelt, Hoover Dam, ...just for starters.    One of us is inclined to go over the top in praise of these regions and places, (better than going under the surface), as might have been noticed over the years by even the least discerning readers. I have mentioned in the past and will repeat myself in stating that the greatest positive effect the United States has had upon me is via the Colorado River. Every place wet by the river including stretching large distances outward, has touched, influenced, educated and uplifted me. I truly believe had I not had the privilege of being on Hike-about, my life would have been emptier, unfulfilled, one of limited experiences and de...