68.01 Andorra: A brief introduction following 4 hikes, after departing from Tenerife...reluctantly.

We mention from time-to-time, including in the text below, that Andorra is a land of big mountains, narrow valleys and very little level round. Jen moving up a ski-slope on the way to Pic Blanc.
Gusting winds cause us to make a diversion to a more sheltered position. We spot a small lake below near Pas de la Casa, a place we hiked from in 2022.
On one side of the rock formations stands Jen; the other side has a small lake below.

One of the tasks we find ourselves undertaking in preparation for a European trip preceding each occasion is that of following a strict regimen in our diets. We'd like to believe that we don't suffer too much in weight gain but nevertheless it (regimen) has become essential. While some may consider that our thinking is focused on maintaining or perhaps improving fitness—that's true—it misses the point. The main purpose of dieting is to enable, particularly one of us, to maintain good hygiene and cleanliness. Does this make more sense yet? 

  Should you not get it yet, it means that you're not a frequent European traveler or that your budget for travel is unlimited 5-star accommodation. The issue is that without shrinking down a size or 2, I cannot fit into the shower cubicle. Even when I am in an acceptable state (size), it's still a struggle to wash without hurting one's limbs. Should one drop a bar of soap, be careful when bending over for fear of bumping parts of the body on the glass walls, especially the head. A wrong move when my overhanging belly is protruding in the wrong direction results in the water being turned off or worse, extreme changes in temperature. Fortunately, most of our accommodation is very good but the attitude of European architects and designers with regards to shower stalls is still lagging.   

  While we're on the subject of size, when hiring a vehicle, do yourself a favor and select a small car. Ideally, a scooter will work even better. The parking spaces in apartment buildings are such a challenge that one is often tempted to park the car in the street. However, so many of the streets are awfully narrow that they present a danger. In places, we often think we're in a single-lane one-way road when in fact it allows for two lanes and at times, even parking on the side. Returning to the parking spaces: We kid you not. There are places where one can stare at an opening, such position surrounded by multi-pillars, columns and other vehicles. Often, a person wonders what it'll take to squeeze the said vehicle into the space without damaging 3 other cars including one's own. 

  For the first time, I mentioned to Jen while we sat on a peak in Andorra today, (the principality is peaks and valleys joined by what seems vertical mountain sides), that I might consider a self-driving vehicle. My rationale is that it could drop us off at a hiking trailhead and collect us in another town, thus avoiding a return hiking trip. In that way, we could gain wider variation on a hike and end up covering different towns on the same outing. Anyway, since I thought about the car parking issue, I'm wondering whether the self-parker will be able to take the stress away from us. 

We begin a climb of close to 3,000 feet up the ski slopes, across the way from out apartment. We cannot remember a level section throughout the hike.
At the end of the visible road, odd buildings and faint line of trees, there is a further drop-down of 12-1500 feet, which reaches the beginning of the climb.
We reach the peak and look down into a valley and attain a surprise. Could be a bearded vulture in the high mountains, frequently on cliff edges.
Jen meanders on a rough trail in the early stages.
The mountain on the left side is the drop we mentioned in the caption of the third photograph. On this mountain, we are heading for a 'bridge too far', far in the distance.
Ah! The Tibetan Bridge. More about it in a later blog.
Looks like we made it.
Climbing away from our town of El Tarter. We live on the outskirts, the side closer to the camera.
A view of Le Pas de la Casa after commencing on the other side of the mountain and climbing to a peak and down toward the town. The point mentioned in the text about a 'driverless car' was motivated by this scene. We are sitting in Andorra and looking into France, to the right of the town
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

More blogs from Tenerife to follow.