68.09 Andorra: Juclar Lake and Climb introduction: Sometimes a couple of pictures move a person...particularly down steep slopes.

Three positions of height indicative of the day's outing, plus the cover photograph, too...perhaps the high point.

LOW(ish).
MEDIUM.
HIGH.

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

68.08 Andorra(ble): Let's take a walk into France: Etangs de Fontargente from Vall de Ingles, itself a remarkable area.

In the beginning, the fulfilling Ingles Valley; it's where we stand and above, to where we head.
After the previous evening's rain, the scene is set: Misty skies and soft (muddy) underfoot.
  One of the most desirable attributes of a decent person, we believe, is that of humility. Far superior to strive to be humble rather than be coerced. Clearly, it's very difficult to achieve humility as one wrestles with success following one's accomplishments, succeeding in competition with others, achieving large material gains, admiration from many (usually temporarily) and many other aspects that tempt a person to believe in one's 'extraordinary' abilities. While we obviously cannot make a judgment of ourselves (it would fail), we've come to realize that striving for humility might seem more in line with that of extreme religious teachings (rather than practical desire), we do believe it provides enormous benefits. Let us mention just one attribute...(continues below). 

Proof of flowing water...we don't like to mislead.
"Some enchanted 'morning'"...
How green is our valley...hopefully, the hikers aren't too green.
Scroll forward for the eventual visual reward.
Catch a low cloud 'in' the water.
Almost eerie as the sun, clouds and mist interact with each other, not forgetting the soaked grass as well.
The always attractive mountains regaining the light.
The ongoing clash while two insignificant people wonder what lies in store for them.
Whatever the result, the interim posturing is magnificent.
Looks like victory for those following the sun.
While the earlier rains won't lessen the impact at ground level.
In drier conditions, we intend to go beyond the lake which we understand will bring us into France rather than alongside it.
It's always about elevation in Andorra.
It helps when the conditions clear.
We hope, by the time this blog is published, we would have completed a second hike to the other side of the lake, well into Franca.
Continues from above. 

  When one is able to realize (and accept) how ordinary one is relative to the Universe, our limited time on Earth and how quickly we are forgotten, how modest our contribution (bar a minute fraction of humans), it soon becomes apparent that being involved intimately with one's fame and importance is a pure fiction. It's irrelevant. It's fleeting. Effectively, for most of us, it's tantamount to taking rather than giving. 

  However, when one looks about, takes in the miracles, beauty and all aspects of the good in the natural world, one is fortunate to realize what potential blessings are bestowed upon us all. When we forget who we are, who we perceive we are, when we cease to worry where we fit into the picture, whether we are recognized for our contributions or that we might have been dealt a bad hand—it's no longer we who are the focal point. When we change the focus from within then the attention is redirected away from the personal. 

  We should strive to relinquish pride, remove the focus from ourselves, or ignore the neglect we believe we suffer because of insufficient attention. Once we abandon that wasted energy and focus, but rather immerse ourselves in what's happening about us, we lessen ourselves and therefore have more time, energy and capacity to absorb and enjoy the meaningful and miraculous natural world of wonder. 

  Effectively, we elevate ourselves passively while actively enjoying something most meaningful and powerful. We become true winners.

 On the surface, nothing to see, yet...
Apparently simple, yet pure wonder.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

68.07 Andorra-ble: Estany Sorda, above Vall de Incles (valley), words fail us...inter alia.

We suppose should one need to take a side-seat, this one is as good as any.
On the climb up, we catch a deer in our 'spotlights'.
 Obviously, one tries to avoid being repetitive but this might become difficult to avoid at times. Should a place provide unique attributes, have an atmosphere that strikes a chord deep within, while on each occasion when we hike, we find ourselves tested immensely, we'll take the risk of being boring. 

  We often walk about and wonder whether there is any natural ground that is in fact level. Frankly, it must be a builder's nightmare to undertake construction activities within the principality. Then again, much of Europe, forgive us Holland, is 'hilly'. In our experience, Europeans enjoy living on mountains, edges, cliffs, slopes and anything that is not flat. We can relate to and respect that.

Perhaps one of the changes in our lifestyle in the latter years of Hikeabout has been a desire to find hiking opportunities that are more isolated, less formal and always away from the crowds. As to the latter, we don't often see many people, which we suppose is indicative of the policy. What we have discovered in Andorra is that there are trails all over the mountains. However, many are informal and are probably practical paths dating back years to when people had to walk to wherever they needed to reach...say a few years prior to the discovery of the Tesla. We really enjoy these opportunities. 

  In fact, most of the last 10 hikes have had twists to them, each either new to us or encompassing links elsewhere, thus providing originality. As we have frequently mentioned (boring), it does not take much to transport us into a different zone when in Andorra-ble. We'll let you absorb some sights and color...now. Thanks for your patience. 

Only later in the day did the light improve from this narrow side, enabling us to capture terrific coloring.
A typical scene in the Incles Valley, another remarkable place.
An idea of the path on the way down, close to closing.
'Monkeying' around on edges above the lake edge. How appropriate.
What's not to be content about in this position...especially with the 'pansies'.
Can't keep an active woman at ground level.
From another hike, we are high above the lake...from the Estany Querol and Salamander side. Hand position is to keep hat from going swimming.
We enjoy this type of atmosphere.
Jen climbing the side of a small waterfall just before reaching the lake. 

 Looking down into the valley and across the way to a high ski station (one we reached on our second outing).
Early(ish) morning steep climb enroute to the lake and surround.
As confident as Jen is, she's cautious on these edges.
This is a follow on climb we discovered. The earlier picture of Jen looking down on the lake is a highpoint we reached (from another direction).
Enjoyed the coloring not to mention the vastness and height of the mountains (Jen in the distance).
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

68.06 Andorra: Scenes from an extraordinary hike: Another interesting day, reaching a 'mountain golf course' above the ski-slopes of Soldeu.

You don't want to try this without an adult present. Well, that's a bit of a problem.
It only gets worse. Unfortunately, the pictures don't capture the true nature of the slope and underfoot. However, they do depict the level of intelligence of the couple.
Following rain, the views and air quality are usually delightful.
The Parish of Soldeu below is prominent to the human eye.
A first for us: A "Cow-jacking". Unfortunately, we've come to believe the worst of humanity in the recent decade or two. However, when cattle adopt human traits, we realize how far down we are on the slippery slope. Fortunately, we were able to rescue the driver and passenger but subsequently, we have had to deal with a lot of bull.
After the rather harrowing experience, we met a cast member from last century's successful production of 'Hair'. While the character has obviously seen better days, we are informed it has found comfort on the slopes. We can relate to that. When looking to earn additional compensation, we understand it works as a model in a beauty salon promoting eyelashes. Meantime, we continue to comb the region in search of a decent brush for it.
In the early stages, we were still on a road before entering the forests and ski slopes. We came across some horses of a different color (Merens breed of High Pyrenees). On our return, we met a woman who operates the stables. She is of English origin who emigrated many years ago. Smart lady!
Finally, Jen spots our destination, the first peak. Sitting on the top is...wait for it...a 9-hole golf course, the highest in Europe. The slope below the building is where we climbed in that crevice. Jen had no idea what was in store. On previous occasions, we used the ski slope to summit.
The much easier route and very attractive sight, on the way home. The backdrop and scenery, too, are attractive.
"Mad cow disease or syndrome". Throughout our lives, we have never seen cattle sprint down a slope as did this bunch of hooligans. In fact, we doubt we've seen them even trot. Jen nearly panicked as they appeared to be after her at one stage. The strange part is: 'The Running of the Bulls' occurs every July 7th-14th in Pamplona, Spain. While there's a strong Spanish flavor in this part of the world, we're a long way from Pamplona...we think. Coincidentally, we did the hike on the 13th. Perhaps this lot remembered the dates.
Fortunately, they passed her by. I hid in the trees out of the way, bravely I might add. I was all on my own, of course, so I could record this 'happening'.
Part of the golf course in the clouds at 7,380 feet. Unfortunately, Jen forgot our clubs. What a pity because at that height we could strike the ball much further distances. Golfers have to take a cable car to reach the course.
The occurrences above, always stirring, always beautiful.
The final spurt to the finish. A display of courage once again from Jen--without doubt. An intelligent decision to take that path...with doubt.
We have since discovered a safer and more comfortable means of transport, eventually.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey