By Scott Shephard
Transalpina Highway - Carpathian Mountains, Romania
For most of the day, as we were making our way to our last overnight stop on our recent tour of the Transylvania area of Romania, we were 900’ above sea level, which might seem high to my fellow Flatlanders in eastern South Dakota. But Watertown, which seems pretty flat, is about 1800’ above sea level.
On our trip everything changed when we linked up with the Transalpina Highway, which travels up and across the Carpathian Mountains. Switchbacks were the rule and soon we were cruising at just over 7000’. We were warned that the Transalpina Highway closes for the winter and at one point, after traveling for 30 minutes or so without seeing another car coming our way in the fading daylight, we wondered if we would encounter snow and an impassible road. We were relieved when we saw a solitary car coming our way.
From ground level, this road was a bit intimating. But the views were spectacular. The sun was setting and there were deep shadows contrasting with the strong, warm light of the “golden hour.”
Lynn, our daughter-in-law is an excellent driver and so we could (mostly) relax and enjoy this amazing place as were traversed the last few miles to our last home away from home, high in the Carpathian Mountains of Transylvania
DJI Mini 3 Pro 5 frame HDR
The Photos: Part of the Transalpina Highway (notice all the squiggles); the actual squiggles from the drone’s point of view; Jon and Lynn strike a pose at 7000’; our destination - Ranca and our chalet; one of about 40 dogs hanging out along the main road through Ranca. Most are friendly, like this one.
