On Sunday, we went with the Kaçanik hiking club to Reçak near Shtyme for an event hike. This was not too far from Kaçanik, but it took us a little longer because there was snow on the roads. Jerry, another volunteer, lives in Shtyme not far from the hike's starting point and he met us there.
Snow in Kaçanik
The drive from Kaçanik to Reçak
This was a special hike sponsored by the hiking clubs in Shtyme to memorialize the 45 people who lost their lives 25 years ago in the Serbian massacre of January 15, 1999. Those killed were civilians and this event was seen as a turning point that led to intervention by the United Nations, the US, and other countries and led to the subsequent peace-keeping mission in Kosovo. William Walker was appointed head of the Kosovo Verification Mission and declared the massacre a "crime against humanity". His statue is a part of the memorial in Reçak.
All the hiking clubs and their banners
Me, Thom, Jerry, and Jerry's friend at the memorial
The start of the hike
Walking through the memorial at the start of the hike
Flags at the memorial
The group makes its way through the memorial
The hike was just over 10 miles through snowy (and sometimes icy) trails to a building that is being restored and renovated. The Shtyme hiking clubs provided lunch. It was a large group and another enjoyable winter hike. We always learn something new during the event hikes as well.
Walking among the snow-covered trees
Someone's dog -- he played in the snow for the entire hike
Flags along the street close to the memorial
It has been snowing in Kaçanik and it is really very beautiful. I have been told by a number of people that there is already more snow this year than last. This is good because last year was too dry.
A car crash - driving too fast on an icy road on the street below our apartment
My new photo collage
Baking bread on Saturday
Snow just starting to fall
Plastic bottles accumulate at weir in the Lepenci River
My lemons are almost ripe
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