Lazarow World-Hike-About

We've met so many interesting Spaniards on the trails over the years. The pictures recall great memories of the experiences, people and sights. Besides, it helps jog the memory, which is another issue in and of itself. Hello to Lluis and Serge, in particular. (Residents of the "Independent Country of Catalonia" 😁). Sunset lights the village, as we walk past on the way to Pena Negra from Behar. No man is an island but what of two? Covadonga Lakes, La Porra Enol. Pica de Veleta, commencement from below town of Pradollano. (The ski town is outstanding.) Coming/going around the bend on Tozal de Mallo trail, Monti y de Perdido National Park. We can’t really explain the feeling but it’s very special to cross an international border on foot. It’s even nicer when there are no passports and other formalities necessary. While we recognize, understand and respect the need for controls (we are dealing with the imperfect human species), nevertheless, it gives...

Jen climbs from the stream. A gentle, colorful and peaceful retreat before the advance up the mountain. Thunder Mountain or Capitol Butte peers through the gap. Overpowering, compact land- mountain- scapes that make Sedona. The Schnebly trails leads to the top of the mountain in the distance, our second destination. Our location below was a diversion from Munds to Hangover Rock, earlier in the week. We reach the planned destination and Jen recommends a route to the top. What's got into her? We rise above our planned destination and head for the shoulder of the Munds Wagon trail. When we walked along this trail high above most of the buttes surrounding the town, an unusual feeling overcame us. We don't know what a vortex is or is supposed to feel like but if we were to hazard a guess, we might say that feeling is what we would anticipate. Jenni wears a 'shadow mask' as protection against the curse, more particularly, flies and mosquitos. (Truth ...

Jen leans into the wind, the slope, more accurately. Always a little tricky...sometimes more than a little. The surroundings, forms and colors, are uplifting. Another favorite, on our second hike to this position. We undertook this hike twice because we could not find the 'off-trail' trail we sought that would have taken us quite high up into the rock mountains. All's well that ends well because we had a fantastic experience with some wonderful sights. We also came across a large rattler on the way which was in fact on a very wide part of the trail. Ten minutes before, we'd been 'bushwacking' while searching for the trail and don't think we crossed paths with a snake. Ironically, in a relatively safe place we did. I tried to convince Jen that we should only hike in the 'bush' as the trails seem to be snake infested. Strangely, she's not buying the premise. At least he's still smiling...as he flees from a lurking viru...

Situated in the High Tatras, these two hikes, the tough climb to the peak of Koprovsky, with the more gentle and lesser hike to the mountain above Sedlo pod Ostrvou and lake, give one opportunity to gain perspective from opposite sides. Tough but gorgeous terrain. In the background, Koprovsky Peak, Slovakia, a tough one bordering Poland. (Photo taken 1,800 feet above commencement.) Standing on Koprovsky Peak (little guy on the right). Early morning reflections. Somewhere on Koprovsky trail, viewing the path ascending from Sedlo pod Ostrvou and the lake. From Koprovsky peak, a view of a lake nestled below the saddle before the penultimate ascent. Close-up of an edge from the peak. What's not to like?

Now you're talking an oasis. An added advantage is that there wasn't a camel in sight. The scenes, even apparently simple ones, grab a person. 'If a body meets a body coming through the rye', hope the one body does not have a snake's head. Oops! Spoke too soon. Coloring a little drab... Somewhere at the top, could he be heading for the bathroom? Just asking. The world reaches tranquility; it's possible. Prickly protection. Always rising, always uplifting. The cure for smelly feet. Now you might understand why you should not drink downstream. Why is she smiling? It's obvious. We reached breakfast location closed in by cacti. We wanted shade and that meant limited movement except for our jaws. Jen reaches the summit plateau. A little of everything in a confined place. Cheers, Jenni and Jeffrey