
Slovenia

Alpine Hut

As the sun shatters down over the mountains,
An alpine hut basks in the last flicker of the evening light,
Ready to depart its visitors and relive the day...
A Short Row's Distance

Inside the range of the Julian Alps
There lies a crystalline blue lake
And a short row's distance in
Or a long swim's
An island bursting with green
And many steps
To the tower
That bled the streets of sin
And its high watchpiece
It's ten till nine
Seven Lakes Valley



Also known as the Triglav Lakes Valley,
this Slovenian rocky hanging valley
nests between some of the highest peaks
in the country.


Despite the name, there are
actually ten lakes in the valley,
as well as several huts for
tired or hungry hikers.


Lake Bled

In the center of the northwest Slovenian town
of Bled like Straža Bled, or "Lake Bled."
And in the center of the lake lies the
"Assumption of Maria Church," which holds
regular mass- if you can row to it on time.
The church was built in 1142; its historic significance along with the crystalline waters of the lake attracts tourists from all over
the world. The more adventurous of the lot
can attempt to swim to church.








Sheep in the Summit's Shadow

Below the shadow of the summit
And above the ringing bells of the valley farms
I'm here for the hikers that flow down from the mountain
Or up from the glistening lakes below
I'm here for the sun's fall each evening
And the moon's rise
Above all the worries of the far-off villages
Edelweiss
The Edelweiss is a European flower rare enough to be
protected by several countries. The Edelweiss thrive
at altitudes around 1800-3000 meters. Because
only the peaks in the Alps reach this altitude, the plant
has become a symbol and challenge for mountaineers
to reach the summit of an alpine peak and find the
special flower.

Stara Fužina

This Slovenian town is known as Stara Fužina. It lies just outside of
Triglavski Narodni Park, where hikers and climbers can visit
gorgeous waters and the tallest peak in the country. But the
Julian Alps were no easy playground, and at the tail end of my
multi-day hike over Triglav, I was thankful for this town. I cooled
off from a long last day by jumping into the Mostnica river, pictured above.
And before heading out, I had to take a long exposure- of course!
Alpine Grubhub
In Triglavski Narodni Park, bed-and-breakfast type huts are strewn about the Julian Alps for hikers to sleep at after each day of hiking. These huts serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as drinks all day long. Because supplies cannot be driven to the huts, experiences like this one are not uncommon:
on the way down to the valley, we passed a horse carrying up loads of potatoes, a six-pack of soda, some flour, and lots of alcohol. Sometimes, the alpine huts also get their groceries delivered via helicopter.

Hotels

When you build your lair up higher than anybody else's
Ans its majesty protrudes for all to see
And the creeping ivy slowly overtakes it
And makes your beautiful lair ugly
"No Problem" you will say, and tear it down
And your new lair will be higher still
And more majestic
But that creeping ivy will return
And begin to gnaw at your corners and base
Until your new lairs number past your years
And the ivy has won




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