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Published: August 13th 2007
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Plitvice 1
Ready to hike July 26, 2007
“Even that Little Kid is Doing Better than You” by Will
After our getaway from Budapest we chose to take on a long drive through Hungary to the middle Croatia to Plitvice Lakes National Park. This destination was on our list to visit but it was some distance from Budapest. We just decided to go for it and take on the 7 hour drive and do it in one day. As it turned out Croatia has done wonders with their roads since the end of their war with Serbia 10+ years ago. They had a beautiful new toll road that essentially started from the border with Hungary to within 60 km of the park. We were zipping along…not as fast as all the BMW’s with German plates. They too were headed to Croatia for a holiday and still drove as if on the autobahn.
Along the way however we encountered a freak storm that not only brought rain but winds like we have never seen. They were whipping all matter of plant life across the roads at 50+mph. It was like being in a hurricane. It still was far more pleasant than the drive through
Plitvice 2
So beautiful Slovakia. While driving along, I was thinking to myself that I never in a million years thought I would be in Croatia. Ten years ago, while this country was fighting its civil war along with Serbia and Bosnia and the other former Yugoslav countries trying to find their place in the new world, it just seemed like a place to avoid. Once peace seemed to come to the region, I just never gave it a thought again.
So now I was driving through this country that has made great strides since gaining its independence and I felt really lucky to be here. It felt very exotic…not like traveling through Germany or England. After leaving the main highway, we headed off the final 60 km through the country side toward the park. Evidence of the war was still clearly visible. As we drove through what normally would have looked like a typical European villages, something was different…several houses that were blown up or shot up. The shells of these houses destroyed by war were left sitting next to ones with fresh paint and flower boxes. It was very interesting yet sad to see. It appears that the destroyed homes were
Plitvice 4
On the lake deserted by Serbians either killed in the war or who desert Croatia and never returned. It made real for me a war that I only very briefly read about years ago. I have never seen anything like this ever. I once again felt very thankful to be here in Croatia.
As we got closer to the lakes we were nearly out of gas when Justin asks “Dad what if we run out of gas?” And Scott yells at the top of his lungs “WE’RE SCREWED!!!!!!” We had been having some trouble finding gas…luckily a few minutes later a station appeared and we were set to go! (written by Justin who loved this!)
We arrived at Plitvice National Park and were so happy we made the long ride. This park is similar to Yosemite but with the most beautiful system of natural lakes carved into limestone I have ever seen. We stayed in the over-priced lodge but again from our room could hear the waterfalls and it felt so peaceful! We had a lovely evening hike around the park. It had just rained and it was so fresh. I was anxious to go to bed to start our day
hiking the lakes.
Around 1:00 am I was awoken by howls of Will screeching….”he put his foot on me.” Justin, Will and I were all crammed in the double bed, while Scott slept peacefully in the room’s twin bed. To save money we stayed in the over-priced triple. I do not get how two boys can poke each other, lie on each other, wrestle, and roll around all day…only to need a 5 foot perimeter around them all night. Sorry Scott…trade with Justin…we need our sleep. After everyone was back to sleep except me…I looked out the window and saw the stars…all the stars. We never see stars like this in California. It was amazing!!! I secretly thanked the boys for waking me.
The next day we set out on our all day hike. It was so beautiful. I can’t explain it. The lakes were crystal clear. The color of the water was turquoise blue. The limestone was white and the foliage was dense green which again is atypical in California in the summer. There are around 16 lakes which have countless waterfalls that empty into each other. It was breath taking. We hiked in the morning around
the lower lakes and around the upper lakes after a peaceful lunch break.
The park has a series of trails and boardwalks that guide you around the lakes, over and under the waterfalls and up and around the limestone cliffs. It was the perfect day! We ended it by renting a row boat to row around one of the lower lakes. We would spend an hour exploring places only visible by row boat.
Scott got in the boat and immediately announced he was only rowing us for 30 minutes. He was tired and needed a beer. Justin said no way…he would row. Justin and I moved Scott along and took over the oars. We ended up in the bushes…headed toward the cruiser boats the park operates to move people along…back toward the bushes…into rocks… Another family who rented behind us suddenly went gliding past. Will looked at us and said “Even that little kid is doing better than you.” I looked over and their boat was being rowed by their 8 year old. I quit and handed my oar to Justin. He actually within minutes was doing a better job than us together and Scott alone. We had
Plitvice 6
One of many waterfalls a delightful hour of rowing in this beautiful place.
So far this has been a fabulous adventure. I need to say that this would not be possible without the support and help back home. We couldn’t do this without the help from Cindy’s mom and Pat who one week after we left had to deal with a new air conditioner at our rental. Grandpa Dan and Mary for banking help and sorting mail…oh and helping us move our stuff into storage. Debbie and Shawn for watching our beloved Clover, who we miss so much. Special thanks to Shawn for also helping us move in 104 degree heat… our neighbors for keeping watch on our house and my friend Becky who helps with every miscellaneous thing that comes up from abroad…one email and she is on it! We love you all and thank you for this special opportunity!
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