“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeing new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” – Marcel Proust
Generally speaking, while traveling, Murph navigates and I do the driving. I have to tell you I LOVE driving a standard transmission car and I had a little 5 speed VW Polo this year. I drove the Vršiċ Pass Loop – which is comprised of 24 hairpin, switchbacks up the mountains and 26 hairpin, switchbacks down. The turns were cobbled for better traction. It was sooo much fun! After switchback #8 we stopped and climbed some stairs to a little Russian Orthodox chapel. The Vršiċ Pass was built during World War I by at least 10,000 Russian POWs of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire to supply the Soča Front. The POWs lived and worked in terrible conditions, and several hundred died of illness and exposure. On March 8, 1916, an avalanche thundered down the mountains, killing hundreds more workers. This chapel was built where the final casualty was found.At the top of the pass and at turn #24 we were planning to hike over the “hill” for some great views. Lots of loose stone etc…The path just kept heading up and the “steps” felt to be waist high for me. “Can we just go back down and have a little picnic, please?”The next day we hiked up and up through the forest.We first reached this World War I series of tunnels and look out areas – it was deserted and quite eerie.Then we continued up to Fort Hermann – again from WWI.Tried to imagine living in a mountain and waiting for soldiers to attack. War is always a very difficult thing to imagine. Ok, it doesn’t look like I’m contemplating war in this pic but still…you get it, right!?! 😉Okay, I know I did the whole flower “thing” but I just came across this and thought it worthy of attention. Plus, so much better than wars, right?
Such beauty, and such sadness. Good to see that the landscape is thriving here, in spite of mankind’s woeful activity. Aron and I visited this area a few years ago, we also investigated the history and attempted some of the steep climbs. Phew!!
Murphys on the Move 
I envy your drive through the pass. It must have been so much fun 🏎️!So much history in Europe.
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Such beauty, and such sadness. Good to see that the landscape is thriving here, in spite of mankind’s woeful activity. Aron and I visited this area a few years ago, we also investigated the history and attempted some of the steep climbs. Phew!!
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