Žiarska Chata

We leave tomorrow on the first leg of our journey back to Iowa for Beth's graduation from DMU, we're all packed, Tim is sleeping, but my mind is racing.  So I thought I'd post something new on the blog!  

Sunday after church we decided to bike into the Žiar Valley, north of Podbreziny.   We packed a lunch in a backpack and headed out under sunny skies.  We ate our sandwiches on benches in the village of liar, on benches with a view of this bell tower.  

We went by several of these tall "maypoles" which are put up by young men in front of houses of the girls they are sweet on!  

We took a detour off the road to check out this church, which has recently had its steeples renovated in the traditional wood shingle style typical for this area.  

Most of the ride was close to this mountain stream, and we crossed over it several times.

The day was absolutely beautiful, with white puffy clouds in a bright blue sky!

Once we got into the forest, this sight caught our eye --- a warning about looking overhead for road construction above.   LOL!  

This was the entrance to a cave, but they were giving a tour when we arrived, and we didn't know how long we'd have to wait, so we continued our ride. 

The road started getting much steeper after gradual inclines for the first part of the trek, so for the last 4 kilometers, we walked the bikes uphill.  

We brought snacks and water along, and we stopped a few times to take in the gorgeous scenery along the way.  

There were so many wildflowers along the way, so I took many photos, but the pictures don't really do them justice.  The spring colors were so beautiful!!  

Continuing our climb into the Žiarska Dolina - finally Žiarska chata came into view - the restaurant/pub at the far end of the path into the mountain valley.  

We made it!!  :-)  

The day kept getting warmer all afternoon, so we were definitely ready for a cold beverage by the time we arrived at the chata.  (cottage)  But room temperature was O.K. too, since the cooler evidently wasn't working!!  LOL!!  

There was a sign for trails up beyond the chata, so next we left the bikes behind and checked out that area. 

This area had a wooden fence around it, with the cross and bell, as well as many plaques.

We guessed it must be a memorial area for those who have died in the mountains here, from climbing accidents, avalanches, etc.  

There are many of these carved wooden figures in villages all over the region, so I asked Tim to pose with this one!        :-)  

We climbed up farther yet, and found this waterfall which was fed by snow still melting up in the mountain.  

Another picture of the waterfall from farther away.  

More mountain views - it was spectacular scenery! 

Flowers and scenery on the ride back down the valley.  Which, but the way, was all downhill.  Those first 4 kilometers back down we used the brakes a lot, but after that, it was so relaxing just coasting all the way back for miles!  

There's even a bee in this pic!   

Buttercups, I think!  They remind me of Ella Chabot!!   :-)  

The bright yellow hill is rapeseed, which is the crop used to make canola oil.  There are many fields of it around here, and the yellow is incredibly bright.  

As you can see, there were many stops along the way to photograph the beauty of the mountains, meadows, forest, and fields.  The parts that can't be captured on a blog are the sweet scents of spring flowers in the mountain air.  Amazing!!  

We stopped again for some mineral water and cake at a café in Podbreziny before heading back to our flat again after almost 6 hours of enjoying nature!  What a wonderful day!!