SLOVENIA SLOVENIA SLOVENIA I sLOVEnia

I skipped Italy to come for summer here in SLOVENIA, wow was that a great decision. I stopped at the duty free shop at the border, she doused me in perfume (I probably needed it) I bought some M & Ms then she gave me some samples

THIS IS THE COVER FOR THE SAMPLE, TOO FUNNY.
I needed a SIM card for my phone, they said I could get one at the petrol station down the road. I needed the micro SIM and they didn’t have it. So Im being my usual self and chatting them up and tell them what i`m doing. They hand me a post card that that both sign their names on. It shows their village, ski jump, mountains they wanted me to have a souvenir of their village. I thank them and start to leave, I watch her grab a Slovenian flag off the shelf unwrap it and hand it to me. They want me to put it on my bike, no problem. Then they want a photo for their Facebook page, so I have to take one too.

THIS WAS A SUPER SPECIAL MOMENT
They have a very well marked bike path, that passes through town at times

NEARLY EVERY HOUSE HAS GERANIUMS ALL AROUND THE HOUSE.
It is biker heaven, there are cyclist every where, watch out Portland.

THERE ARE PLACES ALL ALONG THE BIKE PATH TO GET ICE CREAM AND BEER/WINE.

THIS WAS AN INTERESTING BRIDGE DESIGN

THE VIEWS ALONG THE BIKE PATH WERE AMAZING.
I rode the bike path for maybe 20km, I see a tourist information center and decide to stop in. I got a free map of Slovania`s bike routes. She asked how I liked it so far, I`ve been in the country only 2 or 3 hours. But I start telling her about my first 20 minutes and how welcomed I felt. She asked me to write something in the guest book,OK. I ask if she wants me to read it to her, yes. So I start to read it and start crying I`m so happy to be here. I realize these people are so real and sincere, I feel so welcome here. She says I need to ride the highway for about 1/2 a km.

THIS ISTHE SIGN ON THE HIGHWAY TO WARN MOTORIST OF CYCLIST
I get to CAMPING KAMNE, I start talking in my international English, she looks at me and says, I speak english. EVERYONE in Slovenia speaks english, its awesome.

THIS IS THE VIEW FROM THE CAMPGROUND, SLOVENIAS TALLEST MOUNTAIN.
I had a small hole in the bottom of my one pair of shorts, till the hole got caught on the bike seat while i was getting on.

THERES NO FIXING THESE
So I take the bus to town, to buy shorts and a SIM card for my phone. They don’t have the micro SIM, so I buy a regular SIM and trim it down with some scissors. After a couple of fittings and trimmings I get it to work. I go to a small shopping mall 6 stores. I need some coffee, so here is what I get

THIS WAS SANDRA AND AMRA`S IDEA, I SWEAR.
I try to hitchhike back to camp, I take the bus in the end. Back at camp the tourist board is putting on a slide show about this region and serve local snacks and blueberry liquor. This is only the 3rd time they have done the presentation this year. The thing I was amazed to learn is that Slovenia has only 2 million people. Portland it self has 1 million.

YOU CAN SEE FRANC POINTING TO HIMSELF IN THE PHOTO. HE HAS ALSO WRITTEN 2 BOOKS ON THE HISTORY OF THE REGION.
He has pictures of himself at various events like the Olympics and meeting Prince Charles. But the best story was about the time he wanted to buy a license plate (he collects them) and told the guy in Cuba he only buys authentic plates. The guy said give me a couple hours and returned with an authentic license plate, which he then bought.

THIS IS BARBARA AND ANNA, THEY WORK SO HARD, REGISTERING CAMPERS, CLEANING, SERVING BEER AND KEEPING SOME SEMBLANCE OF ORDER AT THE CAMPGROUND.

IM TAKING THE BACKROAD TO LAKE BLED
It was a partially graveled road but full of unique Slovenian history.

I COULD SMELL THE BURNING RUBBER FROM MY BRAKES.
At the bottom of the road was this valley

There were history markers along the route, since it was only 20km to Lake Bled, I stop at every marker.

THIS WAS A SAW MILL THAT ONLY HAD ENOUGH WATER TO RUN IT FOR A COUPLE MONTHS IN THE SPRING (from snow melt) AND A COUPLE OF MONTHS DURING THE FALL RAINS.

SOME WILD HISTORY

THIS IS THE LEGEND OF FAT STONE, STONE

There was sign that lead to a trail that went to a spring that was coming out of the mountain. I filled my water bottles, refreshing!

THE GRAVEL ENDED AND THIS NICE PAVED ROAD TOOK OVER.

THIS IS A TRADITIONAL HAY RACK (with hay). MOST OF THE FARMERS USE BIG CELLOPHANE BALLS TO STORE HAY NOW. THESE WERE TOO LABOR INTENSIVE.
I sLOVEnia

THANKS FOR READING AND COMMENTING I NEED TO FEEL YOUR PULSE TOO.
RIDE ON
JEFF
NEXT? WHY ARE ALL THESE PEOPLE AT BLED LAKE?