cantina aperte parking after our trip to slovenia
Monday, May 29, 2006
Slovenia Outdoor Experience
I really needed a weekend like this. As usual, my friends and I waited to the absolute last second to decide where we were going to go for a 4 day weekend in Europe. We talked about Poland, Sicily and Croatia. Finally, we threw down on a "extreme" weekend of camping in Slovenia (the Bovec wilderness/national park area). Three of us headed out with mountain bikes, climbing gear, kayak and every other piece of outdoor equipment we could muster. My Xterra was loaded down as we left our local area. On the way we were stopped by the Tour D'Italia road bicycle race--which was cool to see...but was slowing us down in our effort to hit the mountains.
"Bovec" Slovenia is an absolute paradise for outdoor junkies and nature lovers. The Soca river is a crystal clear/aquamarine-colored river that rages through the mountains in and near Bovec. There are tons of river guide companies, etc near the river...but the tiny towns still maintain a quiet and simple tone. We found a campsite along the river and set up our stuff. The first day we kayaked a portion of the river with class I, II and III rapids. It was great. The second day we went rock climbing in the morning and hit the water in the afternoon for more kayaking. This time we were on a portion that was a little more "lethal." I got out and rode in a van back to my car prior to going through the class IV section with numerous "siphons" which have killed a bunch of people in previous years. My friends, "Kilo" and "Trigger" pressed on and survived (although both are very experienced kayakers).
The next morning we got up and mountain biked a long series of trails along the river. It was great---but I had one minor problem: I fell off a cliff. I really did. I was riding along on a narrow singletrack trail that was along a sheer drop next to the river. I shifted gears in the most narrow part and my chain locked up somehow. I flipped over the handlebars and next thing I know was that I was falling. I landed with my bike in a tree that jutted out from the side of the cliff. It kept me suspended there. Kilo shouted, "Dude, DO NOT MOVE." At hearing this, I knew I was in a fix. I couldn't look down because I was pinned and couldn't see that I was suspended above nothing but the canyon floor. I kept trying to work myself free from my bike while Kilo climbed down to my spot. Once I got free from my backpack and bike I was able to climb out with just some bruises and scratches. We were laughing hysterically at how funny/shocking it must have been to see me flipping off the trail into the abyss. I'm thankful for that little tree..because without it I would have at least had several broken bones.
We left Slovenia and rolled into Italy to meet some friends for "Cantina Aperte." It's an annual tradition in Italy where most wineries open their doors to the public and you can go around and see their estates, etc. and taste the wine if you want. We ended up going to an amazing winery near Cormons, Italy that was in an old castle. It was so cool. After, we cruised to a little winery that doubled as a hotel. We ate a pizza and drove home after that. It still have today off...so it's back to the thing I hate most: Laundry.
Next adventure: Turkey for 2 weeks.....we leave next week sometime.
"Bovec" Slovenia is an absolute paradise for outdoor junkies and nature lovers. The Soca river is a crystal clear/aquamarine-colored river that rages through the mountains in and near Bovec. There are tons of river guide companies, etc near the river...but the tiny towns still maintain a quiet and simple tone. We found a campsite along the river and set up our stuff. The first day we kayaked a portion of the river with class I, II and III rapids. It was great. The second day we went rock climbing in the morning and hit the water in the afternoon for more kayaking. This time we were on a portion that was a little more "lethal." I got out and rode in a van back to my car prior to going through the class IV section with numerous "siphons" which have killed a bunch of people in previous years. My friends, "Kilo" and "Trigger" pressed on and survived (although both are very experienced kayakers).
The next morning we got up and mountain biked a long series of trails along the river. It was great---but I had one minor problem: I fell off a cliff. I really did. I was riding along on a narrow singletrack trail that was along a sheer drop next to the river. I shifted gears in the most narrow part and my chain locked up somehow. I flipped over the handlebars and next thing I know was that I was falling. I landed with my bike in a tree that jutted out from the side of the cliff. It kept me suspended there. Kilo shouted, "Dude, DO NOT MOVE." At hearing this, I knew I was in a fix. I couldn't look down because I was pinned and couldn't see that I was suspended above nothing but the canyon floor. I kept trying to work myself free from my bike while Kilo climbed down to my spot. Once I got free from my backpack and bike I was able to climb out with just some bruises and scratches. We were laughing hysterically at how funny/shocking it must have been to see me flipping off the trail into the abyss. I'm thankful for that little tree..because without it I would have at least had several broken bones.
We left Slovenia and rolled into Italy to meet some friends for "Cantina Aperte." It's an annual tradition in Italy where most wineries open their doors to the public and you can go around and see their estates, etc. and taste the wine if you want. We ended up going to an amazing winery near Cormons, Italy that was in an old castle. It was so cool. After, we cruised to a little winery that doubled as a hotel. We ate a pizza and drove home after that. It still have today off...so it's back to the thing I hate most: Laundry.
Next adventure: Turkey for 2 weeks.....we leave next week sometime.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Israel
This was a great trip. Good flying during the week and on the weekends I got the rare opportunity to travel around Israel. I won't bore you with work stuff--so I'll just talk about the weekends.
The first weekend we had a guided tour in the city of Jerusalem. This was an unforgettable experience and I'd really like to return in the future. We started our tour of Jerusalem by viewing it from a tall hill above the city. Our guide did a great job of explaining the centuries of history surround the city. It is just too much to list here. I agree with what our guide mentioned that Jerusalem is truly the most important city on earth. The highlight of Jerusalem was the Church of the Holy Sepulcher---which stands atop the site of the crucifixion of Jesus.
The next weekend a bunch of the guys went to Tel Aviv for a weekend to chill out and relax. We stayed in an awesome hotel right on the Med. We spent all day saturday on the beach goofing off and eating Meditteranean food. It rocked. The following day we went to the Dead Sea and a fortress city called Masada. The Dead Sea was unbelievable. I had no idea how much you really would float in the "water." We had contests to see if anybody could force themselves under water enough to touch the bottom...nobody could. You really have to see it to believe it.
I definitely want to go back to Israel..
The first weekend we had a guided tour in the city of Jerusalem. This was an unforgettable experience and I'd really like to return in the future. We started our tour of Jerusalem by viewing it from a tall hill above the city. Our guide did a great job of explaining the centuries of history surround the city. It is just too much to list here. I agree with what our guide mentioned that Jerusalem is truly the most important city on earth. The highlight of Jerusalem was the Church of the Holy Sepulcher---which stands atop the site of the crucifixion of Jesus.
The next weekend a bunch of the guys went to Tel Aviv for a weekend to chill out and relax. We stayed in an awesome hotel right on the Med. We spent all day saturday on the beach goofing off and eating Meditteranean food. It rocked. The following day we went to the Dead Sea and a fortress city called Masada. The Dead Sea was unbelievable. I had no idea how much you really would float in the "water." We had contests to see if anybody could force themselves under water enough to touch the bottom...nobody could. You really have to see it to believe it.
I definitely want to go back to Israel..
Friday, May 19, 2006
back in one piece
well, i'm back. just got in a couple of hours ago. tomorrow, expect some cool pics and a short narrative on my trip. it was great.
ed
ed
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
ciao for a little while
Hello everybody,
Unfortunately, I might not be able to post anything for the next couple of weeks. I'm off to Israel for work. Maybe I'll get a chance to post a pic or two.
Hope everything is well. I have to sign off now since I'm doing the standard single guy last minute laundry sequence the day before a trip.
All I need is clean underwear, right?
Unfortunately, I might not be able to post anything for the next couple of weeks. I'm off to Israel for work. Maybe I'll get a chance to post a pic or two.
Hope everything is well. I have to sign off now since I'm doing the standard single guy last minute laundry sequence the day before a trip.
All I need is clean underwear, right?
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