With the Willys Overland MB to Croatia
To the sea in a jeep! That has always been a dream of mine. Our Willys Jeep has been in the family since 1977 and since I got my driver's license (1992), it passed seamlessly and naturally from my father to me. Since then, the veteran's annual mileage has increased "dramatically"!
I've already taken several long trips, but I haven't yet managed to get as far as the sea. In June 2017, the time had finally come.
With Walter (Bisi), a very good friend, I found a travel companion who was also enthusiastic about the "the journey is the destination" attitude.
After months of intensive preliminary discussions over a beer or two, we finally set off on Sunday, June 18, 2017.
Our destination was the island of Pasman in Croatia and the village of Zdrelac, which can be reached by ferry from Zadar! We deliberately took detours on the way there, as we
1. naturally didn't want to use any highways (uninteresting and too dangerous with the oldie) and
2. wanted to drive along the coastal road from Senj to Zadar.
The plan was to split the journey there and home over two days so that we could really enjoy the trip.
The journey was from Feistritz am Wechsel to Zvecaj in Croatia (approx. 350km). The start was at 9.00 a.m. at Walter's house in Feistritz am Wechsel (southern Lower Austria). From here we took the B54 via Mönichkirchen to Hartberg (Styria) and via Bad Waltersdorf and Loipersdorf at the Bonisdorf border crossing to Slovenia.
After a short break at "Ledavsko Jezero", the journey continued towards Croatia. Our navigation system guided us across the border at Ormoz and on via Zagreb and Karlovac to our first stage destination of Zvecaj. Here we quickly found a really nice place to stay for the first night on the banks of the river Mreznica. This place would be a nice vacation destination in itself.
On the second day, we continued via Josipdol, Modrus and Jezerane over the mountains to the coast at Senj.
And from here, just along the coastal road to Zadar - a dream.
From Zadar, we finally took the ferry to the island of Pasman, to our final destination, the village of Zdrelac.
We used the following week to explore the island and, of course, to relax.
This was followed by adventurous roads such as the "Fire Road", more like a path along the ridge of the island...
The port of Kukljica with its two dredgers was also impressive.
Or the bridge from the island of Ugljan to Pasman!
But as it is - time passes far too quickly on vacation and on Saturday, June 24, 2017, we had to start our journey home again.
This time, however, the journey was not via the coast, but via the old main road inland. First, the journey took us over the Velebit Mountains, across the Pitvicz Lakes and Zagreb to the small town of Ptuij in Slovenia. Here we quickly found a hotel for the night.
On the way home, we then crossed the border into Austria at Bad Radkersburg and finally made a short detour to visit friends in Oberwart in Burgenland. Unfortunately, this two-hour stop (which was very pleasant) also brought us the only downpour on our entire trip.
We arrived back home in the late afternoon, completely soaked.
Walter and I both agree that this week and this trip was one of the most beautiful and relaxing vacations. And it looks like there will be a repeat this year! This time even with several vehicles, and we are really looking forward to it again!
