Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Summer in the Mountains [Part 1/2]: A Hike into the Valley

Summer is officially here and I had my friends Berina and Adi visiting this past weekend, with their dog Ambi, whom I have written about previously. We ventured out into the local mountains for a walk and to escape the busy city life. I have shown the mountain Rujiste a couple of times on this blog, most recently during the autumn season. Now summer has taken over, everything is in bloom, and it's almost as if you are visiting a completely new place. So come with us and explore the sights.

This is a two part photo series, and includes the following parts:
Part 1: A Hike into the Valley
Part 2: Into the Woods

click on the images for a bigger view



A Drive into the Mountains

As we parked our car in the lot, and I took a look through the woods, I immediately noticed the change in nature. I loved the view I had in the next image, with a mountain road (still unfinished) winding up and the many tones of green around it. My attention was also grabbed by a very unusual looking tree, so we had to get closer to inspect it.


It had a hollow bottom, some branches bare, others with some greenery. The clouds above it were also part of the amazing sight. The wind was blowing slowly through the landscape, and up here in the mountains, the air was cold and refreshing. The tree is actually called a Bosnian Pine or Munika, and is a species of pine native to mountainous areas of the Balkans and southern Italy.


Our Companions are Leading the Way

Beni and Ambi of course came along with us. We took them off the leash, and they had a great time playing and roaming. Of course our eyes were on them the whole time, since they also loved to go off the path. Ultimately we went off the path as well, and hiked down into the valley though the forest. We couldn't catch up with them when it came to this steep hill, and so they went first, hopping off into the fields.




Playtime in the Fields

I loved being able to get down and up close with the dogs. It really gave me an opportunity to get some candid shots. We sat down in the shades of the tree line at the exit from the woods, and watched Beni and Ambi play. By this time we had already hiked for about 20 minutes, and also needed a small break.



Summer Landscapes

It was actually great to take a walk here, and there were some other people here too. The area is open and free to explore, with some paths here and there leading you back. The scenery is stunning and I haven't taken photos here in summer. Berina, Adi and Ambi are up next for a group shot.


Beni, of course, was not too far away. He came out from wherever he was hiding, and we continued our walk into the valley.





Life in the Valley

We got to the bottom of the valley and stayed there for a while. There is a fountain here, forming a small lake. The dogs freshened up a bit there, and it was time to return up hill to the car. We took a different way back, that led us through some amazing looking woods in full bloom. But more on that in the next part.




End of Part One
To be continued...

44 comments:

  1. I love the 2 dogs together. they must have had greatfun. The scenery is spectactular adn I am sure you friends drank in every mintue of its beauty.

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    1. We didn't stay for too long since it was so cool, but yeah, we tanked in every second of freshness.

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  2. Traumhaft schöne Berge. LG

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  3. It looks like it was a beautiful day for a hike. Rebecca

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    1. It really was. We had a great time. The landscapes are so varied.

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  4. I like the picture of the Bosnian Pine, with such a hollow I'm surprised the tree survived. The picture of your 'posing' visitors made me smile... their dog was definitely posing for the camera.

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    1. Yeah, I wondered about that as well, but it did somehow.

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  5. They are all so beautiful. I love the winding road the best! Tom The Backroads Travekker

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  6. Gorgeous place to hike!

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  7. What a gorgeous place for a hike. I am sure the doggies loved running free too. Lovely scenery and photos. Enjoy your day!

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    1. Thanks for visiting. They had a great time.

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  8. What a fun outing for you and the dogs. The scenery and your images are spectacular.

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  9. number five photo of The Tree is so beautiful, I love that tree and number 17 of Beni should be framed and on your wall... i like the one with the two dogs looking so very tiny on the road. it really is a spectacular place in summer.

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  10. Oh, a fun outing indeed -- for all of you!! Thanks for sharing, Mersad, as always! A really incredibly beautiful place and the dogs seem to be having as much fun as all of you!!

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  11. beautiful views...the dogs look like they had a great time...i love that tree!

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  12. Gorgeous place for a hike! Looks like the dogs had a great time, too.

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  13. Beautiful scenes all around.

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  14. Looks like a lovely walk. But the walk back up hill must have been more work. Bet the dogs didn't mind at all.

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  15. Love the dogs at play. Also love the tree with the hole. I wonder which animal has a home there?! Great photos!

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  16. Every photo a winner. Beautiful area.

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  17. such a beautiful area to hike!

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  18. Looks like good country for a cross country hike. Dogs sure love to get out and be free. - Margy

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  19. The scenery is beautiful and it looks like everyone had an enjoyable time, especially the dogs. It's nice to get out and walk among nature.

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  20. Nice to see the dogs having a bit of fun!

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  21. As usual those are so lovely landscapes. I just would love to sit on a promontory and look at the horizon. I wonder that those 2 dogs can cope with those long walks....Andrea

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  22. Was für ein wunderschöner Spaziergang den ich wieder genießen konnte....Auf ein paar Bildern kann man auch gut sehen das ein kleiner Wind gegangen ist. Schaut niedlich aus wie die Fellhaare so im Wind "wehen". Kann mir sehr gut vorstellen wie auch die Beiden diesen freien Auslauf genossen haben. So ohne Leine und viel schnüffeln können ist doch auch so toll für Hunde.

    Mit der Bergstraße und noch nicht fertig finde ich persönlich sogar positiv. Wäre die überhaupt nötig? Die Menschen können doch auch diese schöne Natur so genießen wie ihr es gemacht habt, und wenn es dort keinen Ort gibt der eine Anbietung benötigt...weglassen und die Natur die Natur sein lassen.

    Liebe Grüsse

    N☼va

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  23. Looks like a lovely Sunday walk with those low clouds, happy dogs and all that wind blowing their fur and the grass.

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  24. Lovely scenery, and beautiful photos! Your dogs are so cute, and they seems so happy there :)

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  25. HA!!! Jetzt geht es wieder! Ich hab schon die ganzen letzten Tage immer versucht bei dir zu kommentieren, aber da war kein Kommentarfeld?????? Sehr komisch! Ich habs garantiert nicht übersehen! Sooooo schöne Ausflugsbilder hast du da gemacht und es scheint bei euch ja kuschelig warm zu sein......ganz im Gegensatz zu hier! Dauerregen ;-P, bääääh! GlG Anne

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    1. Muss wohl was nicht zu ende geladen haben, denn bei mir gab es keine Probleme in dieser Hinsicht. Danke für deinen Kommentar! :) Bei uns ist jetzt auch Regenwetter angesagt!

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  26. beautiful. I love being in the mountains.

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  27. Beautiful views Mersad!

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  28. the song Mountain Greenery comes to mind.


    ROG, ABCW

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  29. What great photos of some beautiful country..friends and cute little dogs.
    Happy Outdoor Wed

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  30. Nice views! And the dogs have a great time...

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  31. Hi Y'all!

    Beautiful place to hike.

    Y'all come on by,
    Hawk aka BrownDog

    http://www.browndogcbr.net

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  32. Stunning pictures! The landscape is beautiful!! Looks like a wonderful place for a hike and for taking some amazing pictures.

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  33. Hi Mersad,
    The first photo reminded me of the famous scene from The Sound of Music.
    Great photos, as usual!
    Have a Wonderful Day!
    Peace :)

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  34. If you want to take part in the ABC Wednesday meme, please don't forget to mention this meme And the subject of your post must start with the letter of the week. If you don't want to do this, you would better join one of the other memes like: Our World on Tuesday, or Sky Watch or Camera Critters, or Weekend Reflections. Your blog is interesting enough to be read and your photos are brilliant or eXcellent.

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  35. Your photos make me want to visit your part of the world :-)

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  36. Beautiful scenery and your colors are so vivid. The pine is different from the two in my yard, especially with the open section. I bet those dogs were as happy as you all were.... Michelle

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  37. a perfect place for people and dogs :-)
    ciao
    Stefano

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  38. Wonderfull wonderfull, lovely dogs, love much the old tree foto;greeting from Belgium.
    http://louisette.eklablog.com " blog my city mons in Belgium"

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