Highs and Lows

We awoke to cloudy and threatening skies. It was a torrential downpour.  Back in the Czech Republic and Germany they are predicting 100 year wide spread flooding. Our planned hiking has been postponed. The drive down into the valley was gorgeous. There were times the sky broke clear, but that was just a trick. 

We learned that the Elan ski company is headquartered nearby and they have a museum associated with their factory and store. So we learned the evolution of skiing, learned how to make skis and even survived a ski simulator.

Our next accommodation was the mountain hut, Erjavčeva at Vršič pass, high above Kranjska Gora at nearly 5000’. There is a reason the Slovenian pro cyclists are some of the best climbers in the pro peloton. There were 21 sharp and steep switchbacks to the top on a very narrow road. 

As we approached the end the rain quickly was becoming a solid object and the trees were becoming white. We arrived at our hut and were greeted warmly. There were many cancellations so we were able to get a private room and not a public dorm. As we settled in, the snow continued and began to accumulate.  No worries, we had warm food, great local wine, showers, bathrooms, and a ceiling above us. By morning we awoke to nearly 8” of heavy snow. How would we slide down those 21 switchbacks? We ate a typical hut breakfast of fresh breads, jams, cheeses, cured meats, and coffee while we contemplated our next steps. We were scheduled to hike the area and stay another night but the forecast was not changing. A German couple was in the same predicament and we agreed to travel down together. The main road had been plowed but we needed to shovel a path from the parking lot to the road. The German Audi needed a little push and shove but we got him to the road and with a little help I managed to rock our VW out of the snow and followed. Then we offered a prayer for us and our new friends and off we went. The ride down was not that bad. I now know why each switchback is cobbled and not paved. The cobbles offer some extra traction in those 20% steep and sharp bends. We counted the 21 switchbacks in reverse and soon we were back in Kranjska Gora having cappuccino. 

  New plans.

We switched gears and headed for lower country. And I mean lower. We traveled south of Ljubljana to Postojna and toured a UESCO sight, the Postojna Cave. After taking a small train into the cavern a few kilometers, we all got out for a 60 minute walk, approximately 1.5 km guided tour. Quite fascinating. Our lowest point was 120 meters(394’) below the surface. A highlight of lows! 

Now we find ourselves at a rural penzion in the farmlands in the village of Grobišče above ground, below the snow line awaiting a meal of local cuisines and wines.