From Blue Sky Days to Blackbird Fields: Walking in a Winter Wonderland...

Sunday, we took the last hike of 2024 and my first hike of the winter season with the hiking group. I have been busy or the weather has been bad, so I have not been out with the group since October. Sunday's hike was a perfect winter hike. It was not too cold or windy and we had sun and blue skies. We hiked the road to Ljuboten and there was fresh snow. It was a little deep in some places, but mostly it was just perfect. The Yak Tracs that I got for walking in Wisconsin worked great

We walked to one of the picnic areas where we were supposed to paint the tables in November. That was the day we had the rollover accident, so the tables still need to be painted. The guys from the hiking group made a fire in the snow and they roasted sausages for lunch. It is good to know there will be days like this when we can hike this winter.

An American flag at Restaurant Bulica and Ljuboten in the background

Entering the Sharr Mountain National Park

There is a bit of snow, but vehicles had packed it down and it was hikeable

Snow-covered trees and the ever-present Ljuboten Peak

At the picnic area

A chalet near the picnic are

Getting the fire going

Roasting sausages

Eating lunch outside in the glorious sun

Distance snow-covered mountain peaks

Snow-covered pine trees

As the sun shifts -- you can't tell that Ljuboten in snow-covered

Early on Tuesday morning, we head to Skopje to catch our flight back to the States. We will be visiting family in Ohio. Although most people do not celebrate Christmas here, there is a two-week school break. We have noticed more visitors already in Kaçanik as those who live abroad return to visit families in Kosovo. We have been in Kosovo for 10 months and I look forward to the trip back.

Sunday night, we walked to the city square "shesh" to see the holiday festivities. There are little huts for serving food, drinks, and hookahs. They were still finishing the holiday tree and putting up more gas heaters. A lot of people were there, but the music was too loud so we didn't stay.