64.17 Portugal: Geres: PR7 (2) captures the essence of autumn and our deep respect.

Sun lights up the mountain as we find ourselves on a luxurious path alongside a meadow on the way up.
Nestled in the valley, a village.
  While I would not call it humorous or even ironic, it did tickle us when we looked back and realized we’d parked our car in the same place for two hikes, walked in opposite directions away from the park, but arrived at the same endpoint on the mountain peak, at the swing. Until we reached the peak, we did not tread on common ground. Effectively, we undertook two completely different hikes while commencing at the same position and reaching the identical concluding point. We admit that’s hardly an amazing discovery or undertaking, but what it did provide is two hiking opportunities from one. 

  Should that not make sense then we suppose, you had to be there. While both hikes were enjoyable, they were also quite different because of the trail. In addition, the second trail was entirely in the open while the first was not. Finally, much more color covered the latter slopes, probably because of the openness, which also provided a wider variety of views. The latter experience, the subject of this blog, was, in our opinion, superior. 

Focusing on the mountain across the lake.
The lake comes into focus, Sao Bento Church to the right of the smoke. (What occurs when smoking is banned indoors.)
Autumn coloring stimulates as well as calms, a nice balance, a good mix.
Jen arriving at the peak.
A peek from the peak edge overlooking Canicada.
The best of times, the ideal season.
Guess who, at the top?
Looking across at a sister trail and mountain.

A different position, another angle, always attractive.
We did notice a couple of lazy hikers driving up to the top.
Look hard enough and one will find water, otherwise there's usually rain.
A short but well appreciated grass path through the 'gardens'.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey