UP, UP, AND AWAY......

Today our trip takes us to Kazbeqi in the higher Caucasus Mountains. Mt. Kazbeq, at 16, 512 feet, is the tallest mountain in the range. It's located very near the Russian/Georgian border.

We traveled here via the only route north between Tbilisi and Russia on the Russian Military Highway, built many years ago to transport machines and troops which then occupied Georgia. Today the highway is called the Georgian Military Highway. It starts low and rises slowly. We stopped about halfway to visit a fortress/church. Then we proceeded to climb up and over a pass.

The road was terribly bumpy -sometimes we drove on the left side and sometimes on the right. At one point near a ski village, the road was almost impassible. The BMW in front of us with it's low suspension and rear wheel drive began spinning it's wheels. We stopped backed up - finally we were able to pass. At another spot in the road, an avalanche had spewed mud and rock in a five foot or more pile on the road. A bulldozer had made a bypass and was in the process of clearing the road.

All along the way, the view with jagged snow-capped mountains was almost like another world. I once thought that Glacier Park in the U.S. was the most beautiful spot in the whole world, but now I'm feeling different. I hope that the pictures can do a bit of justice to my thinking.

It's not uncommon to see a flock of sheep or a herd of cattle right alongside of the road.

Ananuri Fortress, from the 16th century.

Karol stands in the entryway.

The chancel (again altar is hidden)

The stonework is always amazing lasting for so long.

John admires a cross - as if he'd like to take it for his 3,000 cross collection.

Grave of a saint - reason for church.

The flowers are beginning even at higher altitudes.

It turned out to be quite a fortress - numerous buildings and rooms within the walls gave us lots of opportunity for exploring and climbing.

CLICK HERE as we travel through a small village.

THE GREATER CAUCASUS MOUNTAINS

 UP THE SOUTH SIDE ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ............

Our first peek of the high snow-capped mountains.

The sun and clouds cooperated to make bright viewing.

We followed a valley with a rushing river almost all the way to the top. Frequently there were "dredging operations" which removed stone for construction use.

A church along the way. Small people bridges are seen crossing the river.

Now we're getting pretty high.

At the ski area with snow coming right to the edge of the road.

CLICK HERE to see a funny video about getting stuck (don't stop halfway through)

 AND DOWN THE NORTH SIDE AFTER GOING THROUGH THE PASS.........

CLICK HERE to watch one truck pull and another push as they begin travel up to the pass.

Along the way, we saw many little guard houses similar to this one. The Jvari Pass (Jvari means cross) at 7,858 feet is the highest point of the Georgian Military Highway, This highway is the only viable route between Russia and Georgia, so then, and now, it is important for transportation.

We passed through five tunnels like this, built to protect travelers (and the road) from the frequent avalanches. We saw lots of avalanche evidence along the way.

Most of the tunnels were fairly long.

The bulldozer is clearing the snow and debris from the road.

A view from our hotel room looking toward Russia in the north.

Looking toward the valley to the south which we had passed through (again from our hotel room).

My mushroom soup.

The food was great at our 5 star Rooms Hotel, Kazbegi

A platter filled with a variety of pickled vegetables.

A kebab (meat sausage inside).

The interior of the lobby.

The river flowing north into Russia.

The town of Kazbegi is very small and rural. Souvenir shops do not have much. But this place did seem like it was catching a bit of flavor for the new Kazbegi. The hotel has only been open for eight months. A new road will open by the end of this summer, and plans are to complete the hotel with 200 available rooms.

While driving through Kazbeqi, we paused many times for cows that were in the roads.

Chickens and pigs are also raised within the little village.