It`s the peak of the summer tourist season here and the campgrounds are FULL. Slovenia is Europe’s playground and it`s a rocking. I`ve ridden all bike lanes or backroads to get to BLED LAKE. It`s packed with tourist and there`s a reason, it`s beautiful and historical.
THIS PHOTO IS TAKEN FROM THE CASTLE
This is so amazing, I`m not the only who thinks so, CAMPING BLEDis booked solid for 2 weeks. I`ve got a spot (in the sun) but a spot.
To ride your bike around the lake takes maybe a 1/2 hour. It took me 8 hours to finally get back to camp. I spent 3 hours just at the CASTLE. I watched every video on the computer, history, rowing olympics training, geology, earthquakes that required the castle to be rebuilt several times.
I stopped by a local crafts market, I talked to the jeweler, he had jaspers from Oregon, pretty cool. We talked rocks for a little while. Then someone said the Olympic Bronze medal rowing champion owned a Mexican restaurant, called Chilies. I looked and looked and couldn`t find it.
I want Mexican so bad, I look the next day and finally ask this local. He tells me in Lesce, the town next door is the best Mexican. I left my bike at camp and its on the other side of the lake, so I take the bus. I order some chips and salsa
FINALLY CHIPS WITHOUT DUST ON THEM, SALSA, GUACAMOLE, RANCH AND THAT CHEESE GOO STUFF.
I order a chicken and vegi burrito, finally some(what) Mexican. I take 1/2 the burrito home for dinner!
I`m back at Bled and trying to get to the church on the island (on the cheap), it`s not working. I close my eyes and pay FULL price ($16). Then it`s another $7.50 for the church and clock tower.
THATS THE BOAT CANOPY AND THE CHURCH
The church was actually kinda cool
THAT IS THE CENTER PEICE AT THE CHURCH
Some more photos of the church are HERE There are 99 steps up to the chuirch, if you get married there, your suppose to carry your wife to the top. (Make sure she`s light)
Bled is a magical place, but I`m not the only one who thinks so, the walking/bike path around the lake is packed. I`ve been a good tourist, but it`s time to go but not before this traditional show.
IS CHAIN ON THE END OF A CLUB
THEN THIS WOMEN STARTS SHOOTING FIRE OUT OF HER MOUTH, WEINIE ROAST!
It`s time to go to BOHINJ LAKE, via TRIGLAV NATIONAL PARK. Its only 23 miles. I leave Bled at 1pm and start riding.
PARK ENTRANCE AND A RELIGIOUS STATUE
TRIGLAV PARK contains Slovenias highest mountain.
Someone warned me about the huge climb taking this route, I`m thinking how bad can it be?
I`M A PROFESSIONAL BIKE WALKER
Once at the top I took these pictures
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF ECONOMY TOOK THIS PHOTO
WE WERE TALKING AND TAKING PHOTOS UNTIL THIS COW DECIDED TO WALK BY
So its 7pm and I`m no where near Bohinj Lake……………..
So the next morning I stop to take this picture
THIS IS MARJAN BRINGING US CUSHIONS WHILE WE DRINK COFFEE.
He has this eclectic coffee shop? It`s got all kinds of stuff inside
THIS POSTER WAS IN HIS COFFEE SHOP (notice the marihuana photo in corner)
I have to stop and cool off my brakes and rims, it`s super steep. This photo of a women, who rode her bike up to sickle the grass, is awesome!
I`M LIVING A DREAM HERE
THE BIKE PATH FOLLOWS THE RIVER
I COULDN`T FIND ANYONE WHO COULD EXPLAIN THIS SIGN TO ME?
I FINALLY MAKE IT TO BOHINJ LAKE, 24 HOURS LATER, YEP 23 MILES IN 24 HOURS!
SOMEMORE PHOTOS OFTHE LAKE ARE HERE
THIS IS ALENKA, CAMPGROUND HERO
She sets up every morning to sell bread to the campers
ANOTHER SELL OUT
CAMP BOHINJ sits right on the lake, it is so beautiful here.
I hike to the waterfall one day
EVERYONE LOVES FALLING WATER, IT`S CROWDED
THIS IS FROM THE TOP OF THE VOGEL TRAM
RIDING THE TRAM DOWN
I TOOK THIS PICTURE THE DAY I WAS LEAVING
I will miss this little part of heaven, ALL the people at the campground were super awesome. The restaurant at the campground had super regional food and pizza. I was told about the pizza from someone in Bled. It was HUGE, but yes I ate the whole thing.
I`ve got to hit the road.
There are more photos, but I am not able to post them till I reach Croatia, sorry. I hope you understand?
RIDE ON
JEFF
NEXT? I stay with a local family, can hardly wait, but have to ride first.
Jeff – Great photos and stories. We enjoyed hearing from you as we drove down the Umpqua last week too.
I remember craving mexican food too! My friend who lives in Montpellier, France is from New Mexico and whenever I visit, I bring tortillas, refried beans, etc. There’s just nothing like it. Safe travels!