Lazarow World-Hike-About: 67.04 Tenerife: Las Brenas: A Taste of Heaven and other delights on a miserable weather day, plus Playa da Rojas exploring.

On our hike yesterday, I felt despondent, not from the outstanding outing, but of the continuing plunge in the level of human behavior. My opinion matters not, other than to me and perhaps less than a handful of people—that may be even too many. I thought about writing a piece on an aspect of modern 'UNvalues', particularly the disappointment I feel about those who should be setting better examples because of the positions of trust they hold. Instead, something occurred today on a hike which happens from time-to-time that changed my mind about the emphasis of the topic...(continues toward end).

While the building is in ruins, nature creates another spectacular season.

Heavy clouds dull the water; nevertheless, the flora still sparkles.

...and the turquoise water appears to assuage our disappoinment, contradicting our earlier negative color exclamation.

The peninsula where we climbed the rocks on a dull day.

The following day, the sun makes a welcome appearance as we head up and pass El Sauzal. The contrast is fantastic.

El Caleton, across the bay.

Jen crosses the water and continues a colorful climb.

We experience Tenerife's intricate but powerful washing systems. The trick will be to adapt it to car washing businesses. The rocks enjoy the tidal wash on schedule.

Followed by a Pounding to remove the solid grime.

...and then a Wipe-out.

We're thinking of approaching the City with some ideas about wall maintenance now that the Romans are over their phase of empire building.

Back to the rock-wash for a 'Rinse and Dry'.

Meantime, back at the ranch, we find an interesting route leading us to a happy place.

Jen finds a tree of life on a barren section.

...and then I thought I lost her in the thick of things. I'll have to try harder...um...(to look after her).

We felt helpless as this fellah seemed injured--perhaps the reason we were able to get so close.

The caveman cometh; these days we research any and all places to live. Thinking of cave number-3 although it does not quite have the ambience of number-5 but then it's more affordable. They offer a low interest mortgage, full insurance cover excluding water damage.

Jenni heading down into the thick jungle-like environment. Yet, she prefers to live in a setting that's more dense than our current surroundings.

There are caves at the water edge (protruding on right) but she's not that happy about the concept of high-tide. It'll be a struggle to change the order of the natural world but I suppose one should try.

Our cave home will afford us this wonderful view.

In the cove, the color meets the grade.

In the Hebrew Bible, there are 3** stories or conversations that have motivated me (perhaps Jenni, even more) over the last twenty or so years. I will mention them but one is more pertinent (not more important) after today's incident. The first conversation deals with a rabbi who was teaching a class of students. He mentioned that he would be traveling the following week. A student retorted "but that means you will be wasting study time." (Get a life!) The rabbi answered: "And what will I answer the Master of the Universe when he asks me eventually what I thought, for example, of His Swiss Alps (Drakensberg/Himalayas...)?"

The second conversation was between G-d and Jacob. The latter was near life-end and explained to his Master that he was very tired and worn out after experiencing a rough and tough life. He needed, he mentioned, to retire and spend his few remaining days resting. G-d took umbrage with Jacob. He explained when Jacob passes from the world, then he'll have plenty of time to rest. While you have life, remain active...(Seize the Day.)

The third conversation was between G-d and Abraham in which G-d was explaining to Abraham that he intended to destroy the world as it was filled with evil beings. Abraham interceded, begging G-d not to do it should he (Abe) be able to find one hundred righteous humans. Abraham was not naive and so he negotiated G-d down to accepting a mere ten righteous beings. The relevancy of this is a fair question.

Today, (pictures are from previous outing) we hiked from the coast through a couple of towns to a high point along TF5, a freeway. It was an extremely steep ascent that proved most enjoyable. Upon beginning our descent, we decided to try a different route. We planned and plotted from above following the possible route that appeared to make sense. The best part of all was that Jen was keen to try it notwithstanding that we could not be certain we would not get lost. We headed down (steepness is an island norm) making quick progress. Along the way, while keeping an eye on the route, we lost some confidence. One of our markers was to spot a vehicle down below and follow its progress until it reached us. This would prove that a route existed. It got a bit rough when most of the vehicles were white. Nevertheless, we were never able to confirm our exercise.

Eventually, we came across Tony and asked him whether there was a route joining the road we were following to that which we were headed. He said there was only one road into the village/town and it was from above, our route. The only way out of the town was to retrace our footsteps. But what about those apparent sandy sections, we pointed out. Ah! He answered. There is a very rough 'path' to take to reach the road. That's all we needed to know. We have taken rough paths in our days.

We were rejuvenated. We separated and continued down while some pretty vicious looking dogs expressed their disdain for us. We reached the end of the town, sought a path or a gap or something, but to no avail. It was all very rough jungle covered in cacti and other vicious thorn bushes, nature's 'tough guys'. We turned and looked toward the other streets, but none allowed for entry onto a path or clearing we sought. Ten minutes later, Tony and his dog were returning from their stroll. He asked why we were still in the neighborhood. He did not need much explanation.

Without another word, he took me by the arm and said follow me I'll take you to the magical spot. We walked together for a few minutes until we reached the most ridiculous entry to a path ever seen. Truth be told, it was one of the roughest hikes ever undertaken, short but nasty.

At that stage, I decided not to write an essay about wicked humans but rather about one righteous individual. After all, in our journey through life, particularly during the last fifteen years, we have been touched by some righteous individuals. When that happens, it is both humbling and satisfying (exhilarating is more appropriate). It makes us believe that the presence of one righteous human justifies the existence of the world.

Thank you, Tony of Tenerife; thank you to Maria of Gymno, Greece; thank you, David of Colorado; thank you to a park ranger in San Francisco; thank you to others...you continue to inspire us!

No hurry to capture this shot. The building was abandoned in mid-construction. It had begun in 1973.