.  Here you can see the front altar of the Church of Sts.Hermagoras and Fortunatus at Gorni Grad. This church was the center of Benedictine activities in Slovenia from 1140 to 1473 A.D.  .

We were on the way to the Rinka waterfall in the Logarska dolina(valley).  This rock sticking out to the side is called the needle.  You can see the area that we travelled to get to the waterfall, which is 90meters high.

The mountains in the background are located at the end of the Logarska Valley.

Natasha and Nancy looking at the Logarska Valley. We had been standing in the road gazing upon the mountains when a car came zooming down toward us.  We thought we were off the road at a roadside stop.

The Rinka waterfall.  It is 90meters high . This Logarska dolina area is a techtonic valley formed by movement of the earth's crust.

Nancy is on the way up to look at the Eagles Nest, a lookout post that provides a great view of the whole area.

The water shifted direction as we watched.

This is stone at the waterfall which shows the effects of the forces from the shifting crust.

Janez, Natasha, and Nancy below the waterfall.  We did see a rainbow from the water, but we couldn't catch it with the camera.

Behind the Hotel Plecnik is a waterfall that Janez has climbed when it has been frozen.  We didn't have time to climb it before lunch.

A meal from the Logarska valley.  The kohlbasa was made in the area, the buckwheat is a grain that the inhabitants lived on in medieval times. The cabbage had a sweet-sour flavor to it. The potatoes had chopped cabbage mixed in for a tasty side dish.

This classy oven heated the restaurant area.  The Alps send cold winds down into the valley all winter and spring. It must be nice to warm up here after skiing all day.   After lunch we set out to find a toplar in the form of a greek cross, that Janez's father had told him was on our way to Maribor.

The Flachskams asked about these fields with the poles and wires. They are used to raise hops for beer.

We found the most complex toplar in Slovenia and explored around it after we obtained permission.

One reason this special is that it has two levels. Most toplars are single level structures. Then to be in this form shows an admiraration of beauty and utility.

A new barn stood beside the hops structure across  from the toplar.

Although this looks like a new house or recently renovated  one, it still retained the tile roof, while adding sky lights and dormers.  The little edge at the end gives it a bit of an Austrian look to the house.

A special place!  A glass floor in a chapel.  It is St Jurij, a chapel from the 12th century.  Under the glass can be seen the rock foundation of the original building.  It was very small in area.  The archeologists found several skeletons and decided that there had been a crypt under the floor. The skeletons were found 7 years ago, when the floor was being replaced.  The bones were dated at the 9th century with the original small chapel.  The glass is for viewing, but means visitors must wear slippers over their shoes.  It was an odd sensation to be walking over the bones and rocks.

This small chapel had some lovely pieces such as the one behind Nancy.  Also, that is an arm sticking out from the podium toward the alter.    We had to get the caretaker to come to open the church for us. He gave some interesting details about the church's history.

The altar is quite elaborate for the size of the chapel.

This view shows how lovely the church and its surroundings are.

A knight sitting in an outdoor courtyard of a gallery  in our next stop at Slovenj Gradec.  This gallery had artwork by Slovenian sculptors and painters.

This horse was done by O. Kogoj. It sits in front of the gallery in Slovenj Gradec.  Janez's mother was born in this town. The gallery was used  in 1966 for the UN exhibition -Peace, Humanity and Friendship.  The old city  is from the 13th century.    We are working our way to Maribor.

Can  you imagine being 400 years old?  This ancient grape vine in Maribor was ignored for 200 years before people realized how old it was.  It still produces a small crop of grapes.

Sign behind the vine in Maribor.  It is situated on a wall next to the river.

Janez wanted us to try this stuffed pita bread. Next to it is a pile of white onions to add flavor to the spicey meat and cheese inside it.

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