Lazarow World-Hike-About

We have so many photographs that it's impossible to select the best. Therefore, every now-and-again, we choose a handful to refresh our memories. As our good friend and great singer/composer, Brian Murray, wrote in one of his songs, "Life comprises a whole lot of memories." We feel blessed to have seen tiny parts of the world in reasonable depth. We were reminiscing the other day, for a change, and realized that our experiences, before even reaching mountains, our main passion and purpose, have been filled with adventures that at times make us wonder whether we were dreaming. Bulgaria: Kutelo Ridge, spectacular. Koprovsky Peak, Slovakia, felt some fear in the snow and wind when turning on the narrow mountain top. Jenni on the ridge in front of Mount Vihren, Bulgaria, one of the best. The long route to Mount Sulur, Iceland. Dr. Norman gave me a new hip ... thank you. Sunset at Anza Borrego. Peaking on Mount Wheeler, New Mexico. ...

In the beginning...a long way to go. Getting closer to destination. A special place, manicured mountains and valleys with Jenni on the right. Always look up and travel the same way... A personal favorite from the second outing, the one to Meandering hut. Another painting. On a sister trail, a domesticated scene, three little ones provide the atmosphere not unlike that of human children. Always ascending, sometimes more acutely than at other times. The scenes are/were stunning. Jen aligns with the backdrop. The weather changed, for a change. A herd of Eland, the largest antelope in Africa. From the way they darted from Jenni, not the bravest bunch, although Jenni can be rather tough ... ask me. Simply stunning scenes … if you like that sort of 'thing'. 'Play Misty for me'. Monks Cowl, Cathkin Peak and Champagne Castle: Does it get any better? Cheers, Jenni and Jeffrey

The easy beginning from the car park viewed from above. Jen walking toward the Sentinel before getting close to its top. (Unfortunately, the powers that be have decided to pave the trail, not ideal. You'd think they'd pave the road to the trailhead instead so that people could reach it. What do we know?) The weather is and was consistent for some of the period we spent in the Drakensberg, the day of our Sentinel hike fitting the pattern only too well. The sun would ‘awake’ at 4:40am, warm the region and provide early, soft lighting to enhance the beauty of the mountains, lakes and flora, even further. Early afternoon would see the build-up of clouds followed by lightning and thunder but not always culminating in rain. The wind would arise quickly and provide an eerie feeling and portend the coming of a vicious storm. Fortunately, on many of the days, this show fizzled out and the promise of always-needed rain failed to materialize. Jen read the weather reports ea...

It was an exciting climax to an incredible period in Romania, Bulgaria and Serbia, this, the last hike taking place in Serbia. It does not often work out that one (or in our case, two) end up with the last hike maintaining a standard that was superior. We had identified the hike prior to arriving in Serbia. On a Monday morning, we drove on a quiet road to a small village and fortunately, found the trail-beginning on our second attempt. Once again, we spent our day alone in a beautiful region surrounded by trees coated in many autumn colors, prior to breaking the tree line and continuing the ascent up a second and third mountain and through the clouds. At the peak, a destroyed church dating to 1932 lies in ruin. Nevertheless, we were most pleased and relieved to arrive at the pinnacle, even before the 'padre'. The hike was fairly long, we forget the distance, but well over 2,000 feet in ascent on an eerie-like day, especially at higher altitude. Farewell, to Eastern Europ...