Tag Archives: Mountains

Jul30

Christmas in Slovenia – The River Soča

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Christmas 2025 saw us on an Adventure – Andrea’s friend was working at a 3-star Michelin restaurant in Slovenia, Hiša Franko, and we had the opportunity to join her for a dinner and some adventuring. We jumped at the chance, hopping a flight into Northern Italy before the drive out into Slovenia itself… with a few exciting adventures along the way.

25-December-2025

Christmas day was spent recovering from the amazing meal we’d gorged ourselves on the evening before – a bit of walking, a bit of relaxing, and a bit of good (but sometimes tough) conversation about the future, our lives, and everything in between.

And let me tell you – we had some good views for that conversation.

The mountains of Slovenia. The River Soča (Pronounced Socha). Soaring peaks. Bright blue water. Beautiful canyons, and one rather impressive waterfall. And then, an absolutely stunning drive home through the trees and sunset…

Oct23

Chasing Zen in the Desert

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Sunday, 25-Sept-2022


As I finished my walk out from Elk Meadows, I pondered what to do next with my weekend. I could drive back, relax at my apartment, maybe play some video games… but I didn’t quite want to go home just yet.

“You don’t have to go home,
but you can’t
stay
here”

I tossed my pack into the trunk, put the top down, and drove South.

There aren’t braided backroads in Oregon like there are in New England. I can’t quite drive country roads to get back to the city… but I could drive slightly different highways through completely different biomes. Which is exactly what I did.

The alpine country gave way to temperate forests, which in turn gave way to scrubland, which finally ceded its place to the high desert.

I kept the top down as the day got colder, embracing the chill and appreciating the changing seasons. I felt the warm desert wind, then felt the cold desert air.

I stopped for dinner at a spot I’d been to a few times, while exploring around the Bend area, and gorged on some delicious enchiladas while rehydrating myself from the dry air.

I can’t say that I found zen, out in that slightly longer drive home through the desert… but I can absolutely say that I chased it for a ways. And sometimes the pursuit of a goal is the worthier part.