71.18 Portugal: Geres: Cascata do Arado (2) and finding another 'hill' to scale, a little gem discovered by accident and a prayer, accompanied with flowing water and music.

  Hats off to Jen who summarized the Peneda-Geres National Park, at least the sections in which we have spent much time, in one word: Enchanting or an enchanted land. While we are very fond of the town of Geres itself; clearly, meadows, forests/jungles, lakes and mountains are very different from built up areas. Enough said. 

  Generally, as we hit the trails, our demeanor as a general rule changes. There is a distinct difference in our mood, feelings, attitude, and outlook as we make the imaginary crossing. This is something discussed before, probably many times, and is not the subject for now. Briefly, getting back to enchanted, there are times when we look about half-expecting to bump into a goblin, a unicorn or two, together with the odd deer we see, the chirping birds and of course the cattle, goats and sheep, plus their guard dogs. It is often surreal as the tall trees numerous in variety, a multitude in shades of green and in a word, stunning, amongst the rest of the glorious and colorful flora on display. We'll stop there as well...continues below... 

  For accompanying music, click on the start button, continue SCROLLING DOWN, sit back and call back the past finding it's always in the present. In fact, it's a present to all of us should we so wish.

   

We reach and pass the waterfall, a wonderful display but partly hidden...seen a few weeks previously for the first time.
"How many flowers grow in 'An English Country Garden'......?" It just seemed to invoke the feeling. Is he nuts or just fortunate?
Perhaps a little rough but wonderful...(rough is the land, wonderful is Jen...some clarity).
After the climb, Jen descends for a while taking in the colorful flora.
The wilds have unique qualities that are not explained easily, if at all.
On our return from the end of the trail, I said to Jen, "I'd really like to reach the top of that 'hill'. It would conclude today's hike with a decent finish. Heck, wouldn't it be 'luverly' to have some form of trail heading upwards." Less than a minute later, I noticed a path and...
And off and up we went. Love it.
If a body meets a body coming through the rye, ...well good luck to you...at least a person knows where she's been.
It's not quite breakfast at Tiffanys but for us, it could not be better. Well, there's no accounting for taste, is there?
A view from the top.
Jen? I think I'm stuck. Have you a tree tool, a manual or could you just lend a hand? I've used up my allotment of prayers.
Where's a bridge when you need one? This is where I meant to be, a little late you might think.
  The views from the mountain tops, not forgetting the journey up-and-down, the beautiful lakes and flowing rivers, including a multitude of waterfalls all add to the beauty. Who cannot be overawed by the reflections on the lakes displaying a variety of images, sometimes making a distinction between real and image difficult to separate. Enough with that. 

  Lastly, we suppose that which makes the planet earth most amazing, inter alia, is that in each part of the world there are similarities as well as vast differences. Add in the deserts of American, Australia and Africa, what about snow of a different season, ice and oh, there's the ocean, too, covering a greater part of the earth's surface. By now, I realize I have made a fool of myself in trying to touch on a subject in which only tomes of writing could even attempt to do it justice. I will not only stop there but cease altogether. Perhaps, had I been given an ability to sing, now would have been appropriate to leave on a higher note "With Some Enchanted Evening". Goodnight! 

A fascinating waterfall...aren't they all? On our return, we pass it and absorb as much as is possible.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

As we conclude out horticultural class, it's clear we are not too bright, but we do know what we like.

Okay, okay, Jen...no more.