So I haven't blogged in ages! I just posted something about the birds here in Duino on my Facebook page that I used to use for my ornithology course at Rutgers, and I thought: "I should write something on our Italy blog too!" So I thought I'd share a few photos from our weekend with Gayle and Jeff at Lake Bled in Slovenia.
This first photo is a shot of the castle in Bled, taken at night while looking up at the castle from across the lake. During the day the castle is the most prominent structure in town, always looming high up above the lake across from the new casinos as a constant reminder that this really is a very old place. I really like the castle even more at night with its glowing lights reflecting on Lake Bled, something I tried to capture in this photo. Peaking in and out of the fog with clear views like this only once in a while I found it beautiful and kind of creepy at the same time!
One of the town's older churches also glows nicely at night. It was really nice to stay right in Bled and get the chance to enjoy the sites at night before resting up for some hiking in the area. The weather didn't quite cooperate with us for a lot of hiking, but we did get to do one really nice hike out to Vintgar Gorge just outside of town. From our B&B, which Kristen did a spectacular job finding by the way (it was super nice), we were able to walk up into this river gorge in the Julian Alps.
The next couple of photos are from our hike into Vintgar Gorge. It was still closed for winter, but we hiked into it anyway. Yes, we broke the rules with Gayle and Jeff (haha). None of us minded, that is until we found out why the gorge stays closed in winter. Just check out the snow that is still piled up on those narrow walkways along the shear rock faces inside the gorge. We made it about half way into the gorge before reaching a point where the walkway was partially collapsed making it unsafe to continue any further. Still, it was a worthwhile hike because we got to see the gorge at a time when few others probably ever see it.
It was a nice visit to Slovenia even if it was cold and rainy. It was also nice to have our first visitors from back home. Thanks for coming Gayle & Jeff! We're looking forward to more visitors, so come see us! I'm thinking maybe a trip to Croatia next time? Maybe Rome instead of Venice, which we did with Kristen's parents this time? Any other ideas anyone?
One of the town's older churches also glows nicely at night. It was really nice to stay right in Bled and get the chance to enjoy the sites at night before resting up for some hiking in the area. The weather didn't quite cooperate with us for a lot of hiking, but we did get to do one really nice hike out to Vintgar Gorge just outside of town. From our B&B, which Kristen did a spectacular job finding by the way (it was super nice), we were able to walk up into this river gorge in the Julian Alps. 
The next couple of photos are from our hike into Vintgar Gorge. It was still closed for winter, but we hiked into it anyway. Yes, we broke the rules with Gayle and Jeff (haha). None of us minded, that is until we found out why the gorge stays closed in winter. Just check out the snow that is still piled up on those narrow walkways along the shear rock faces inside the gorge. We made it about half way into the gorge before reaching a point where the walkway was partially collapsed making it unsafe to continue any further. Still, it was a worthwhile hike because we got to see the gorge at a time when few others probably ever see it.
It was a nice visit to Slovenia even if it was cold and rainy. It was also nice to have our first visitors from back home. Thanks for coming Gayle & Jeff! We're looking forward to more visitors, so come see us! I'm thinking maybe a trip to Croatia next time? Maybe Rome instead of Venice, which we did with Kristen's parents this time? Any other ideas anyone?
We will be in Croatia around June 14! Come and visit my family!
ReplyDelete