Two remarkable cities: Budapest and Prague.

  With an infrequent display of city photographs because we try to avoid visiting them, the cover picture deals with Brasov, Romania. Below are a couple of magnificent looking cities, Budapest and Prague, with which to complement the cover. 

The 'Blue Danube' at night with parliament to its right.
The Vltava River meanders through Prague.

68.20/21 Andorra: Grand Valira Slopes, El Tarter: 2 hikes of enjoyable punishment, 5 weeks apart to the day.

Some color in the early stages...where there's still some oxygen. 5 weeks later, the bright color was gone.
Destination to be reached, hopefully, 2,500 feet from beginning.
Off she goes...strong and confident...nice thought. The commencement point is a little less than nine hundred feet below the buildings (an upper ski station) in view.
Soon after commencement, we enjoy the cool air and early morning sunlight.
The energetic 'bunny' plods on...the story of our lives: 2 plodders...for which we are extremely grateful.
From the top, we observe a bearded vulture taking off.
The 'birds and bees' as well as cattle pointing out that age is not an issue; desire is similar to that of their human counterparts. This took place on our second hike; obviously they were comfortable in our presence by that stage.
Looks like quite a steep slope. The good news is that it becomes steeper.
On the second occasion, we found ourselves on the wrong side of a fence, so we headed up a different ski slope. Jen assured me that we would not be in the way of skiers in motion. She has a good sense for making these deductions while I was still a little uncertain. Of course, she proved to be correct.
What proved to be quite a coincidence although there was a large gap between the 2 hikes, it appears that Jen wore the same outfit. I mention this in passing so as not to embarrass anyone and to ensure I don't put my 'foot' in it again, especially on a tricky trail. Obviously, I'm trying not to make a habit of the 'occasional' mistakes that I do commit. 

On the way back, the not-so-bright fellow introduced a short-cut to the team. (XXX at end.)
While it was a shorter route, technically, it might have been a tad more difficult as it lacked trails (through the bushes with little visibility for our feet placement), had very steep sections and made one of us a tiny bit embarrassed. However, it was a 'good experience', wasn't it Jen?
It did become challenging...this was only the beginning.
Having learned a lesson on the previous hike, we took the long way down which proved to be very good for our relationship...I think. (The photo marked (XXX) above illustrated the beginning of somewhat poor judgment).
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

68.17/18/19 Andorra: Circuit heading toward d' Aldosa, then Tibetan Bridge, back through Els Plans, up to Entor and back home.

The mix of 3 hikes below deals with trails we take from our front door. We head down 2 floors to reach our parked vehicle. We open the trunk (boot), tie our boots to the feet firmly, add hats, sunscreen, sunglasses and bid farewell to the car. Love that...like the hat, too. 

Flowers are important to the people of Andorra...it shows. We are heading upwards, the first test is ahead.
The large building above Jen in the opening photograph seen from the other side of the hike. (We began about 700 feet below it.)
Almost straight up...feels nearly vertical at times.
A good way to walk and wake-up in the mornings.
We cross a private road that links only one homestead, with an 'interesting backdrop'.
The path brings us above our village, El Tarter, from which we spot our apartment. Easy! It's the one with the black roof. Unlike Nepal, there seems to be a suspicion of multi-colors in construction projects.
Obviously, nature disagrees with the culture. Across the way are ski slopes.
From higher up on the path, the lower trail appears attractive.
Another attractive sight: Jen focuses on the narrow(ish) path.
On earlier hikes, different overall routes, the same beginning/end climbs respectively. The clue to differentiate the hikes/days in a blog is, of course, to focus on Jen's outfit.

In a short distance, the elevation gain is remarkable...confirm with muscles and lungs.
The scenes throughout the Principality are defining.
Coming out of the forest.
On a desperate day, we end up playing hide-and-go-seek with a goat...well, we suppose it was different...perhaps, a little slow.

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

Jen awaits an AAA A(ndora). I told her it's still better to negotiate the tough climbs rather than hire a fancy set of wheels. Would she listen to me?

'AAA Air at your service, Madam.' I have to hand it to JenniLaz. 

One of us remains where Jen left her wheels, outside 'the house on a hill'. Could be a long night but one with incredible views.

68.16. Andorra: Etangs de Fontargente from Vall de Incles 3: Is it possible to find an 'out-of-world' experience?

Jen on the way in a magnificent but soaked environment early on during a rewarding day.
The shades of color in the early morning, combined with the heavy clouds, provide a unique atmosphere.
  Many, if not all the hikes we've undertaken in Andorra have been special. They are invariably steep (very) and testing but never impossible that might make a regular hiker despondent. Upon completing a hike, a person knows that the body, and the mind at times, have been put through their paces. The day after the hike, which is the subject of this blog, we decided to take in what we call a local hike, one that we begin at the apartment, for want of a rough definition. We mention this because although the hike appears shorter than many of our regular outings, its elevation gains are short, sharp and very steep, making one feel that catching one's breath is becoming somewhat of a slippery challenge...(continues below...) 

Getting ahead of ourselves, we fast-forward to reach the lakes.
The coloring is fantastic although the bright blues of the water are hampered by the heavy clouding. Nevertheless, the ground cover is terrific and the overhead activity (mentioned in the text) is a knockout.
  We are completing our 12th week and are feeling some resistance from our muscles. While the obvious retort is that we are much older than when we began Hike-about—true—we have also remained in one residence the whole period in Andorra (we extended). In earlier years, we travelled between towns frequently which cut down the days available for strenuous activities. In addition, our trips were shorter resulting in less hiking. While we keep up at a rate of 5 hikes per week, occasionally 4, we believe this together with the two points mentioned earlier, account for our weary feeling of late. We should concede that age is another factor but it's too easy to hide behind as an excuse or, are we being too proud to admit it?...cont... 

We've mentioned the clouds frequently and their effect on the surroundings. We are in the bowl after descending from a mountain we hiked up on the way to this destination below it.
Jen negotiating the rocks, many of them still wet from the rains and flowing streams.
We were stunned, and not from the tough hike.
We went off trail to position ourselves for an ideal view. There were many. At this stage, the sun struggled to make its presence felt.
Heading toward our brunch stop spot. Should we wish to marvel at one aspect of our lives it might be that we eat brunch in amazing environments frequently, probably 5-days a week on Hike-about. It truly is a nourishing blessing.
As beautiful as the cloud formations and movements are, an opening in them helps improve the surface coloring. We're on our return journey.
Aha! The brunch girl. And I was just mentioning it. Sometimes the "coincidences" are quite staggering. Bon appetit!
Another perspective.
Discovering yet another treasure.
On our commencement of the return leg, the sun makes a welcome appearance...the water 'blushes blue' in acknowledgement.
A happy girl. The environment is a powerful mood influencer despite its rugged and rough nature.
'Over the hill', rocks, boulders and all.
The big and little 'guys' side-by-side.
Surrounded by and immersed in mist, fog, clouds, water, rocks, boulders, colorful vegetation: A wonderland in general.
  Getting back to the French border experience. We did this hike a few weeks ago but stopped on the mountain above the lakes and gazed down upon them. We tried it again last week because it's that impressive, but had to divert close to the end because of poor weather. We tried a third time believing the weather would improve (it did) and that the paths, trails, rocks and land would be somewhat dry. It turns out that the clouds, mist, a bit of wind plus a watery underfoot were all re-activated but at a lesser intensity. At first, we felt we had selected the wrong day again for the outing. The funny thing is that a mere a couple of miles away, the conditions were so different. It seems that the problem is France. However, we do not wish to cause tensions in the Principalit—the world has more than enough of it. 

  When we reached the crest of the mountain above the lakes, on this occasion we headed down a tricky path which was mostly rocky. It took us to the right side of the lakes which we could no longer view once we were in the bowl. The sky was dull, which of course has a similar effect over the lake surface. However, something was different. One could feel something in the air. The atmosphere was stunning. This was supported by the clouds beginning to break, surface ones lifting and then returning—as if indecisive. They then traveled sideways, changed course again, re-covered the lake surface, seemingly got bored, lifting while allowing rays of sunlight to penetrate gently. The effect colored the water while also shone off the rocks and surrounding peaks. It felt that we were present in nature's staged production, managed and controlled by unknown forces. It was, to repeat, silently stunning. Even more so, it felt strange, different, surreal. We felt it was deep, ever changing, beautiful and varied.  It almost seemed that someone or something was behind the scenes directing nature's attributes. It did not feel random. We were deliberately being entertained intimately in a natural show, a display of nature by itself. It was mesmerizing. 

  Perhaps take a look at the photographs closely, many appear similar but each provides something unique. We don't remember taking that many of what appeared similar scenes. But to our eyes and perception, each seemed quite different. We sat on the rocks just above the water and watched the movements of the clouds and mist. We absorbed the sights of the myriad rocks, boulders, surrounding mountains, while always hoping for some exposure of the hidden blue sky. After eating breakfast/brunch, (it wasn't easy with cold hands not functioning well), we continued absorbing more of the surroundings. Thereafter, we headed over the rocks and boulders again, climbing back to the crest above the lakes. As we gained elevation, we continued to turn our heads and bodies, enabling us to witness the dynamic scenes occurring all around but particularly behind the lakes. The clouds and mist or fog were action bound, quite stunning, as if showing off for the two little people with their varied repertoire. 

  Upon walking a mile or more away from the lake, we continued to enjoy the challenging trail in the valley, but the atmosphere was far different from earlier when in the bowl. While still beautiful, it was as though we had abandoned a unique place. The atmosphere had changed; it was no longer haunting, extraordinary or perhaps, foreign. Of course, it was still delightful, but it lacked something one does not see but perhaps feels. 

  We look forward to the next occasion...always. 

Jen heading for blue sky, returning to the low summit above the bowl.
Similar but still unique. We got rid of so many photographs that we slipped in the occasional extra.
A colorful conclusion.
Cheers,  

Jenni and Jeffrey  

Showing a previous visit on a clear day from above the bowl.