Hello, again, Blogonauts!

The crossing from Austria into Slovenia was easy...we just burrowed 5 miles through the Alps.

Well, the Austrians and the Slovenes did all the heavy digging. All we had to do was drive through the lo-o-o-ong tunnel. We emerged in the former Yugoslavia. Luckily, there were no Yugos on the roadway hindering traffic.

(If you don't remember Yugos, then you're much younger than I.)

Mountain weather is remarkable. Valleys on opposite sides of a tall range can experience entirely different climates. Traversing 5 miles from Austria to Slovenia, we left behind a mostly sunny day and emerged into clouds and lower temperatures.

Slovenia is abounding with mountains and valleys. Our first destination sits in one of these valleys: scenic Lake Bled. Strolling around the shoreline yielded an endless supply of vantage points to see Bled Island, and its iconic chapel, The Church of the Assumption of Mary. For the the devout, this is a pilgrimage site, which gives employment to a host of rowers ferrying folks for mass and prayers.

We grabbed lunch in the village of Bled, then took a brief side trip to the town of Skofja Loka. The ancient castle looks over the little village, and made a nice destination for a short hike. And, we discovered, the village church looks over a busy cafe, which made a nice destination for a short snack.

We then traveled on to Slovenia's capital city...but that's a tale for another time.

Blog to you later!