Lake Bohinj with Whitney's dad

My dad came and visited us in Ljubljana for about a week which was really fun. It's always nice to switch things up a bit and to show off this new home to people we love! We ate lots of great food, walked all over the city, and rented a car so we could go to Lake Bohinj and Koper (on the coast of the Adriatic Sea.

Lake Bohinj is just inside Slovenia's only national park, Triglav National Park. It is the lake in the southeastern corner of this map. 

Sunday was not supposed to be as unseasonably warm as it has been for the past few weeks, so we headed to Lake Bohinj on the recommendation of our friends Mojca and Mitja who both grew up there and return often though they now live in Ljubljana for their studies and work.
Based on Mojca's recommendation, we went to a guesthouse/bed and breakfast, tucked a bit into the mountains above Bohinjska Bistrica. We walked around the small town with tight, twisting roads and lots of barns, animals, and surrounding farm land. The menu was small and you could have either a two plate or three plate lunch. It was one of the best meals I have had! We started with local cheese and jellied meat (not my favorite but surprisingly not bad) then I have a fillet of fish with a pea sauce and delicious veggies sides. Jedd and Bob both had veal with gnocchi and lots of veggies. We each has a side salad as well. For dessert, Jedd has a raspberry tart with a currant garnish and a delicious tarragon ice cream. It was the best beginning for our trip.

 When we first arrived, it looked like a beautiful lake, though nothing to write home about, and there were lots of tourists checking it out. Some nice reflections on the water and views of the nearby mountains. But the real treats came as we drove along the lake, admiring the trees and mountains reflected on the water. We came upon a huge parking lot and realized it was where people parked for the nearby ski resort. The mountain was steep and rocky on this side and we eventually picked out a gondola going up to the summit house where people must ski down the other side. We now REALLY want to try skiing at this resort, Vogel. 

Then we walked around behind the back of the lake, passing a beautiful river, near cottage spread out in a little village and in the general direction of a nearby slap (waterfall). We then walked to the lake and saw the breathtaking view. It was very much like Lake Bowman for those of you who have been to Glacier National Park. It was such a good feeling to be walking around in a national park, to take in the beauty, and to feel connected to our Montana home that we miss. 

On the way back, of course, Jedd had to jump in and despite the shock of our Slovene friends, it wasn't very cold compared to water we've jumped into in Montana in February and March!

Wooden gutters at some of the cottages near Lake Bohinj 

Lake Bohinj

Lake Bohinj

Jedd demonstrating climbing technique for us

View from our walk of the mountain in Triglav National Park

One of the cottages near Bohinj Lake

Jedd admiring Lake Bohinj

"Water Man" Sculpture near the lake 

Crystal clear river near Lake Bohinj