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And then, we arrived at a crucial point in the hike. We were close to the caves, as the temperature dropped, and the forest grew thicker from the grass planes, so we knew that we were there.
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For my fiancé’s 21st birthday, we planned a special hike deep in the mountains of **Clarens**, in the Free State, South Africa. It was a hike that she really wanted to do for while now, but it is only a guided hike with rather big groups; not the ideal hiking situation if you have ever hiked with a big group of people. But we made out booking, and we arrived at the instructed time.
Before that, however, we drove through the area a bit to see all of the other sites. Because the guided hike only started at around 9:00 the morning, we were way too early. Luckily, there are various things that you can see in the area that is just as impressive as the mountains that try to hug you.
So, please join me on this virtual journey as I show you where we hiked, and how beautiful this area is. Maybe I can convince you to visit this stunning place and go for a hike!
# Graves at the Gladstone Dam Lookout
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We arrived about an hour early for the hike, so we stopped at two or three lookout points. The main one was the **Gladstone Lookout**, looking out over a smallish dam. But what caught our eyes in the distance was some graves of the original owners of the farm. These owners apparently donated most of the land that is now part of nature reserves many years ago. Their graves are like monuments. Even though it is a troubled history, with many wrongs being done, it is nice to see that the land is used in such a manner that everyone can still benefit from the beauty of our country.
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# Surrounded by Only Mountains
Whilst looking at the graves, you are stunned by the surrounding mountains that almost feel like they want to hug you. Every time I get to Clarens, I am blown away by the beauty, the magic, the size of these mountains. One cannot help but look, stare, and to get overwhelmed by its beauty. I always feel so small when we drive through the pass, and when we stand at the foot of the mountain, I always question what the meaning of life is when we are faced with these mountains.
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# Meeting at the Stables
When it was almost time to meet the rest of the people at the meeting point, we gathered at the stables. We were first there, and because of this, we could see some of the horses that they left in the stalls, or the ones that they got ready for riders. Along with our hiking group, there were a couple of people that used horses to hike different routes in the mountain. Along with the magic of the mountains in the background, the horses running over the grass was just icing on the cake. It was incredibly beautiful.
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# Starting our Hike
We started our hike at yet another grave, yet another owner of the land that provided it to the sanctuary. Now, we all can enjoy the beauty that it has to offer. Sadly, not everyone feels this way, as capitalists would grab this land instantly to try and sell it off to the highest bidder to build more property on it.
Luckily, we are blessed with being around when we can enjoy is beauty without worrying about animals trying to kill us (which is also a sad event, because they are not allowed to roam the area).
As we hiked, we walked past some beautiful ponds and creeks, but we did have to walk with about 50 other people as well. It was kind of difficult to enjoy all of nature with the amount of people that also wanted to see the beautiful little pond. But again, we are not complaining, as things could have been much worse.
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We also saw some horses ride past us on a different path that went into the mountain at a different section.
The walk or hike was over vast grass fields of planes. It was beautiful to experience this walk in this way, thinking about how things would have been 200 or so years ago. Thinking about this, we also stumbled upon some old buildings which they renovated. If you have the stomach for it, you can stay there for a couple of nights with a big group. The prices are not too bad if you have a couple of people that stay with you, and I think the views would be incredible.
# Arriving at the Cathedral Caves
We saw a small board that indicated that we arrived at the caves. But the small board did not convey the incredible beauty and magic of the views. As you looked up, you could see the incredible open “scars” against the blue sky.
My fiancé was beyond herself, as the caves were incredible. We knew that people swam in the pool, but we did not know that we had to swim through this pool to get to the actual caves. But there were so many people that hiked with us. And we did not really want to get wet. As we then had to hike back with wet clothes. And the water was extremely cold. So, we decided not to take the dunk in the pool, and we did not really want to climb up the chain ladder.
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As we walked back, we also saw some chain bridges above us that possibly went to the caves above, but apparently, they were under maintenance, and we could not walk there. We need to leave some of these things for the next time as well!
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# Postscriptum, or Taking the Trail Back Home
In the end, we needed to take the hike back. This is always a strange and interesting time when you hike. All the anticipation to get to the destination is done, now you need to hike back to the car, which is also a kind of destination if you think about it.
But it is a strange destination. One that leaves you with a kind of sadness.
Even though this might be the case, it also signals the start of new journeys. When you get in the car, you can go on so many other hikes, so many other journeys. All sadness contains seeds of growth and potential that will grow into new adventures.
For now, happy travelling and keep well!
*All of the musings and writings are my own, albeit inspired by the beautiful views surrounding us. The photographs are my own, taken with my Nikon D300.*