71.04 Portugal: Geres: Trilho da Aguila do Sarilhao, a lake supreme, reflecting nature's miracles.

  We often find ourselves in varying environments. It is a very pleasant experience most of the time. Whilst the places we visit have much in common, the natural elements, each does seem to have at least one thing that's unique. In many locales, we find a certain calmness, a tranquility that enters, for want of a better term, the soul. We are often touched by the surroundings which much of the time exert an influence over us that is quite difficult to clarify, to elucidate. It might be that each person is affected differently. It brings us to the town and only national park in Portugal. The location is known as Peneda-Geres National Park. We bring this up because in ways we are deeply influenced by its charm, its power and in the words of Jenni, it's an enchanted place. We agree...text continues below...

Making her way down through the forest (and up at times) to reach and partly traverse the lake.
Unfortunately, the photograph is artificially lightened as Jen was sitting in the shade. You'd think she could have found some sun with all the light about.
Of course, he did not learn from the experience either...two otherwise adults.
As we descend, we attain a wonderful surprise through the trees, a double mountain.
Hmm! One of us is in his element...reflections supreme!
Let's stretch it a little.
Add some more; let's reflect. Bring that peninsula type structure to the fore.
While the enchantment does not necessarily stop when one walks through the town, it is predominant when one is up-and-on as well as in the mountains. The town itself feels part of the mountains, part of wilderness, a place to collect something or view the surroundings between hikes. One does not have to wander far or high but rather, meld into the environment. When we mentioned earlier about the effect on one's soul, maybe it's different. It's almost as if one is stroked or caressed with a soft brush, allowing the feeling to touch the skin, to seep through the pores and sweep over one. 

  The soul probably needs to absorb esoteric waves that reach deep within. How this is done is difficult to comprehend. However, the feelings that almost swept into a person seem a little more physical and therefore less difficult to understand, and of which to make sense. Whatever the case, no matter how one absorbs this transfer of the environment to within one's inner-core, does it really matter? Surely, the feeling of taking the magic of nature's power internally is all that really counts. 

  While we have attained this feeling at different times in different environments, it is here in Geres where it has been the most consistent. It seems wherever we wander, it's almost that we are accompanied by this brush, which is able to calm us, make us content and allow us to experience things on a deeper level. Something we have always maintained throughout our experiences, these feelings remain with us for a while, even on our return from the slopes. However, well before the next day they invariably depart and one has to rekindle them, make fresh contact, exert energy in the hope of regaining the blessing. 

  With regard to today's hike, it was always going to be incredible provided there was no wind. We arrived early enough to be ahead of it (the wind) and were rewarded with some of the finest reflections possible. On our next occasion, we hope to have clouds as well, which provide a further dimension of spectacular sights. We truly feel grateful for the exposure in a completely deserted setting. 

Let's face in a different direction and position those mountains on the surface; might as well take the trees with us.
Jen has devised a new concept in lakes and mountains. It's known as half-and-half. You take half a mountain and mix it with half of a lake, place them side by side and you have the water usurped by the power of the mountain. For those seeking proof, check the reflections in the water for an obvious observation/clue. You ought to take a look what she's developed for deserts...or did she mention something about desserts...I forget.
Jen leads us into a scary part of the forest trail; tree trunks covered in lichen.
Lichen gone amuck.
Let him have a bit of fun; don't mind him. He's much more manageable after a few hops, skips and a whiskey.
Love the curves, the symmetry.
Let's take a hike to another side of the lake.
Show us it's Spring...let's bring in some yellows.
A reminder where we are.
"Blue, blue, my world is blue, now that I'm with you..." Be grateful, there's no sound on this blog.


Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey