71.09 Portugal: Geres: Cascada do Arado via Rocas but with a stop above Lake Canicada, to begin the treat of a day.

The position high up, the effort to get there, the clarity of the air, coloring, and shape of the lake (for starters), keeps us happy. The two bridges, which were the subject of reflections from the previous week, are something (special reflections) we don't see often. Nevertheless, in this context, we found the views delightful.
 It was a day without high expectations, and it turned out to be a treasure. We found a new region, came across an incredible waterfall, including a challenging (tricky) path to the top, an overlook stood out in the middle of nowhere on the way, and the sight of Lake Canicada has never looked better, partly because of good air quality and some sun as well as the surroundings (My bias helps, too). 

  Both the climbs, one to the Rocas Overlook and that to the waterfall-top, Cascada do Arado, added to the daily challenge and enjoyment for us. It's what we are always on the alert to seek. Even the boss, who began the hike with frozen toes, whatever that means, thawed (toes for clarification), and rose to her usual top form (Is that sufficient, Jen?) 

  There were no people on the trail again until we returned down the waterfall trail. We met a family, parents and couple of teenage sons, from the Czech Republic. The dad was a real character who communicated well. When I asked where he learned to speak English, he retorted, he had spent 5 years in Ireland. We suppose that could be considered English. However, his mannerism was far more Irish, full of spunk, inter alia, we liked him.

 A view of the mountains across the lake, places we hike up-and-along frequently.
Now we focus into the valley and absorb quite a sight which is aided by the weather and air quality that early morning. 

  Across the way is a sight we see frequently at height and from many different locations. We also walk past it often, that is, the 'futbol' field (soccer). Occasionally, we see it in use as well.
Enroute to the to top of Cascada do Arado, the waterfall.
I talk to the trees but they don't listen to me...can't say I blame them.
As we made our way to our destination, we were sidetracked by Rocas, the viewpoint. Of course, Jen needed to go up and explore it, test her mettle on the tricky 'path', so to speak. I did not have much else to do so I accompanied her...must have metal for brains.
You asked for it, it's yours, Baby.
The top is the easy part, it's well constructed. Someone forgot that the route to reach the top is probably more important. The river in the distance continues after flowing over the cascades, our next destination, should I succeed in enticing her down.
A view of the overlook (Rocas) in the distance from the the path of the cascades, with the river below.
Somewhere heading down again...a day spent coming and going and often meeting on the trail.
Let's take another look at the magnificent trees. We never believed there were so many different species.
Pardon the interruption but I'm having lake-withdrawal-symptoms.
While I'm loving the views of this magnificent lake, Jen continues to enjoy herself in the rough. When she played golf many years ago, she developed much experience in the 'rough'...(I humbly withdraw the comment).
Upon scaling the waterfall area, on our return Jen calls for brunch.
On our return to the overlook/viewpoint of Lake Canicada, the clouds became annoying by cutting out too much sun, hence, a change of shades. Nevertheless, we accepted it ('very big of us'), it's still a wonderful sight. Jen happens to be very tolerant of the erratic behavior occurring above in the sky.
At last, part of the waterfall, Arado.

Unfortunately, the growth of vegetation prevents a composite view of top-to-bottom. We like it though...much.

An earlier photograph captures the town/village with a little of the lake incorporated.

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey 

  By the way, we loved the hike, the views and everything in between. We feel most fortunate. (B'H)

71.08 Geres, Portugal: Reaching the peak opposite Sao Bento Church, yet another beautiful hiking and viewing opportunity.

Jen on the way down about to walk through a sparsely inhabited village below before she enters the forest/jungle.
She continues down toward the river in a beautiful, isolated environment.
Part-way down, bottom to top view. It never feels great to know that when a mountain and river meet, it invariably means dropping down to water level to make the crossing and beginning the climb from the lowest point. Of course, the reverse results in completing a climb after having ascended to the peak and back to the low point of the river. I'm just not smart enough to find a solution to this issue. Fortunately, we are strong subscribers to the maxim, "Cui Bono". We would not have it any other way.
We may have discovered the lost city of Atlantis. Of course, we're presuming it still is unfound.
Jen strides it out as she ascends steeply, showing a woman in her youth, vibrant and energetic. "Okay, perhaps we should lose just one of the adjectives."
Unfortunately, the environment is 'dry, sparse and quite colorless'. Hopefully, the rains will help.
We don't think it will take much to begin to love this environment...actually, began at first sight.
  We love the deserts, mind you, in the winter mostly and the mild times of two other seasons. We won't mention which season we do not visit such harsh regions. 

  However, we have not been on the dry sand for a while as we have spent most of our time in Europe and Nepal of late. I suppose it's the nature of travel or the odd way in which our minds function. Nevertheless, Europe is not big on deserts. I don't even know if there is one stretching even over a tiny part of the continent. I remember having some communication with Nancy, a person from Seattle. She mentioned she was tired of our desert displays and she, being from green-country, preferred to enjoy forests. At the time, it had no effect upon me. However, a couple of years following that conversation, I stopped to think that it had been a while since we've been to the sparsely inhabited and low rain areas, previously a frequent occurrence. Perhaps, in some psychological manner, Nancy got through to us and created a desert block within us. Got us thinking. I don't know whether to thank Nancy or be upset with her. Fortunately, we are still partial to both environments.

  Thinking of Geres, I doubt whether we've spent time in a region as well 'watered', as fertile and covered with such intense colors and growth in a myriad of trees, shrubs, grasses and plants as it is. It truly is the ultimate. As one commentator used to announce as he opened/closed his 'talk show', each day: "G-d's green earth." 

Sao Bento Church complex somewhere within the greenery. We began at the complex, moved down to cross the water and are continuing much further up, or until the boss decides otherwise.
To try to create a more vibrant and colorful environment, look to the the south (left) as we catch sight of a little of Lake Canicada.
Jen passes the only other hiker she spotted all day. The lazy sod looked like he'd spent the day snoozing. You never know what strange sights a person will find in the wilds. (The position gives a perspective of the path on an edge (left)).
She looks toward where he faces and loves the view; unfortunately, not the sight of the fellow. Not only is he lazy but it appears his main activity is eating and drinking.
Catches a great shot of the complex and its surround.
Let's add a tree for variation.
Never seems to resist spending some time on the rocks...taking the gap at the peak.
Heading back down into the color and dense coverage.
On the road again, somewhat easy and open for a while.
Loved this sight as we looked down into the valley and up again at the tall trees as their majesty grabbed attention.
Looks like sheep dogs being herded by goats...not for us to judge.
A weakness for reflections or perhaps, a strength.
Jen now making inroads to the peak...about time, I'd say.

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey 

2 to close a wonderful day, too.

For cat lovers, we did not seem to break down the barrier existing. It was difficult to determine whether the shack was occupied by humans or only felines. 

"Seriously guys, we think you are far too suspicious."  

The vegetation and coloring is overpowering...hard to leave the position.

71.07 Portugal: Geres: A period to pause, a moment to treasure, a time to reflect.

  Every once in a while, one comes across sights that hit a spot deep within one, while walking between raindrops. Today's pictures reveal something of the concept. During a day when we ranged from damp to soaked, whether from sleeping 'under water' after being confused between a bedroom above and below water level, we dried off and basked in the glory of the daily miracles we live amongst. 

  If that sounds a little convoluted, as they say, you had to be there. Alternatively, take a stroll in a twilight region while remaining dry. 

Separate the homes on the mountain from the boat-houses on water.
We struggled and gave up trying to douse the flames of the 'burning bush'. The rain had no or little effect on the 'fire'. Apparently, there are matters outside of human influence (many).
  Life is dynamic in the sense that it might embrace searches for change, challenges, adventure and excitement, or on the other hand, a preference for a more sedentary life with less risk, stress and uncertainty. Neither are correct, nor wrong. It's a matter of what one prefers or perhaps the time of life one has reached. Perhaps the real test is not the choices that one makes, but rather the choices, chances and risks that one does not take. I believe the only regret one should have toward life-end times is that the person did not affect a particular decision, not so much take chances but rather, avoided intelligent choices presented that were rationalized into oblivion. 

  The easiest concept to understand but admittedly, difficult to implement equalizes life for all. A person only has to realize his/her potential. One is only competing against oneself. A best effort makes one a winner. Simple! 

  Anyway, one additional aspect that we have found fascinating and rewarding is exposure to ancillary facets of our lifestyle. Obviously, there are many and they are multi-varied in nature. We'd like to focus on one in particular. It is photography. It's particularly rewarding capturing a photograph of something that will resonate with a person thereafter, perhaps forever. In particular, we only wish to deal with a tiny aspect of this vast topic. 

  We realize we do not have any particular skills in this field, but we try to capture what our eyes spot and our imaginations develop. With this in mind, we found some years ago, a particular specialty,'reflections'. I love reflections...actually, really love the concept and views presented in such visuals. It has enabled us to add another dimension to life, albeit not vital, but rewarding, satisfying, exciting and including another part to try to complete the multi-faceted concept of life.  

  Today, we headed out to try to gain a few miles of hiking between raindrops and worse. We did not expect to accomplish much as the weather was projected to be the worst of the last 4 days. Fortunately, thereafter it returns to a better projection. Nevertheless, we often find that the harder we try, the luckier we become. Today was one such day when we reflected on the beauty of reflections once again. See whether it reflects for you.

  Should we have needed but one reason to visit Geres, then the sight of this together with identifying and photographing it would have been sufficient. I wrote in the text that the search, the sighting and capturing of such visuals does it for me. 

It appears at times (occasionally) such that one can use the lower bridge to make the crossing...huh? Jen said why don't we race each other across the lake. "You take the underpass, it's shorter," she smiled. 

  A place to settle down and be amazed constantly at the variations occurring on-and-around the lake and mountains.
Talking of reflections, those living close to the water have double housing...perhaps, that extra bathroom that's so desirable.
Swans' Lake, a place for the gang to 'hang out' or perhaps make a couple Euros on the side...on the water.
Fortunately, I have not had many fearful situations to face, but when I turned around at that moment, I thought of springing into the lake. It seemed an alien had landed right behind me. 

  The other bridge provides a differing perspective. (We only attained these reflections a month after arrival.
Stretching it out across the lake.
One of these is haunted. Until you've spent a night, you won't know which it is.
We waited so long, let's take another look
P.S. To the many thousands of viewers who find reason to visit the blog, we would like to extend our appreciation to you, especially the Brazilians, of late. 

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey 

  For perspective, below are a couple of photographs of Lake Canicada viewed from different positions. Literally, there are thousands of variations of views...one cannot live long enough to enjoy each. 

Standing on the western side of the lake after returning from the south. A view of the two bridges is clearly visible from a few miles distant, by road...as none of us are 'crows'.
A north-eastern view of the lake after a tricky climb.
On the eastern side of Canicada following a steep climb, a bridge or two, too far.