Lansdowne-ideal weekend from Delhi

A long weekend and the itch on our wheels struck again. Now where?? uhmmmm...short , sweet, non tiring, no trek, relaxed...so many criteria. And Lansdowne was chosen. I had great memories of the place, mostly form an army kid perspective though. Anyhow Lansdowne - locked and we shot off.

Weekend fun for the elephants too. 

A short drive and soon after crossing habitation and entering the foothills we were rewarded with a herd of wild elephants, frolicking. They gave us a godd show showering mud on their backs and dipping in the water. Good going fella, we will do the same..

Dugadda to Jairikhal 

Take me to heaven 

The ride is pleasent, smooth and soon after hitting Dugadda we took left and the road is pure pleasure from here on. Smooth lazy bends, confiers for company and the breeze is cool. I always miss my cycle here. Some day perhaps....

Lazy road

Our red ridinh hood 

Soon enough, in less than 5 hours we reached Jairikhal, Oak Grove Inn. Dumped our stuff, siesta time till noon. Had a hearty lunch and an evening walk followed. 

Our room balcony

I like the texture and frame 

Tea time---wake up guys 

The Oak Grove Inn is designedd to have a great Hang out on a parapet overhanging in the valley, the fog and clouds engulf it completely and the feeling is supremely etheral . 

 The next morning, we left our laziness behind and went off walking, planning to take a small hike . Enroute we small countless kids going to school, but these 2 young girls captured our attention for their "road presence",,if u may say so.

We went along till the T point, from where the road to Srinagar bifurcates. Went along a small stroll up, up along the ridge we meanderedd and walked. Had some supplies in our day pack. So we stopped on the ridge top with an amazing view, refuelled on our energy. Listened to the song of the birds and the insects. Felt the sof breeze caress our face. Dozing off under the Pine trees in a surrounding so relaxing was much expectedd of us and we obliged.

The kaledecope to the ridge

 Soon we were moving on, imaging bears attacking us and having a great time. The trees and hills get the best of humor out of you. Its rejuvenating.

Trek buddy-also my wife

Chrysanthemum in full bloom 

We then headed back for Oak Grove and after becoming more presentable to Mrs&Col Bikram, we settled in the Hang out. Great gossip and snacks followed. Then the clouds engulfed us completely on the Hang out and the feeling was as if being suspended in air with clouds around us and only the four of us could see each other, that too in the muted light of a solitary lamp. 

Tree pot not flower pot 

Morning when we started to leave back from Lansdowne

 we were treated to some amazing paanch aanaj ka parantha and meat of deer. Amazing stuff, the taste yet lingers after these years.

I dive perfect-Olympics material 

The drive back was fun and short. The secret of Lansdowne lay in our hearts of the small dip pool and stream.

Lansdowne we shall be back and soon. Again and again.