Oh the Waterfalls!

Since returning from block leave, we have had few weekends at home. We’ve been taking full advantage of 3- and 4-day weekends throughout May and June and have visited some amazing places!  The first weekend in May we finally made it to Plitvice National Park in Croatia, a place we’ve been planning to visit since we first discovered the beauty of Croatia last year.  This park did not disappoint!  Situated in the mountains with 16 lakes sprawled across the park, connected by large and small waterfalls, it was absolutely breathtaking.  We enjoyed taking in the landscape from above, as we hiked a perimeter trail high on the hillside, and then from the surface as we took a short boat ride back across the lake after a leisurely lunch and (for the guys) naps in the grass. 

Nap time in the grass for the guys

We got to appreciate even more of Croatia’s outdoor area by declining to sleep in a hotel or B&B (though there were many) and choosing to break in our new tent and camp.  Our good friend Chris joined us for this wonderful trip and we had a great time “roughing it” and of course roasting marshmallows for s’mores! Now, when I say roughing it, I do not mean the American version of the term, where a bathroom is a bed of pine needles behind a tree are, stars shine bright without the lights of the city, and neighboring campsites are beyond earshot.  We’ve had a hard time finding anywhere in Europe that allows true camping as we know it in the states.  Instead, there are camp “resorts” with assigned campsites with plug-ins, community toilets, showers, a café and restaurant, and many other amenities (more like a trailer park in the states).  Though we couldn’t even build a true campfire, and it wasn’t quite the outdoor experience we were seeking, we had a great time and enjoyed seeing another beautiful part of Croatia.

Proud of his new tent... just fit the two of us

S'mores and beer... ahhhh camping :)