Croatian Adventures

Never go on trips with someone you don't love. -Ernest Hemingway

Back in September, I was lucky enough to go on a wonderful trip with my family. I have mentioned before that I have a large family, and being able to travel in Croatia with twenty of those incredible people was an exceptional experience.  A week or so before we left for the trip we lost my grandfather.  Having a large amount of our family together to celebrate and remember that incredible man helped us all to start healing.

My parents and some of my aunts and uncles and cousins (once removed) traditionally go on biking trips through Europe once a year. I am a lot of things, but a biker is not one of  them. The trip they had planned was for Croatia. One of my aunts was born there and had been wanted to show the country to her kids for years. I wanted to revisit a country I had been to once before, but not for long enough. Slowly, a number of my family members decided to crash the bike trip. We all spent a few days together before the 'athletes' of the family took off on their trip.

We started the week in Zagreb- the capital of Croatia. I was not that excited to see Zagreb, I was looking at more like a jump off point to the mountains and oceans of Croatia. However, I was shocked at how much I liked it.

It was rainy and a bit dreary when I got into the city, but it was still vibrant and full of life. As the day wore on, the rain and fog lifted and we were treated to an incredible view.

 While Prague is known for stunning rooftops- I've gotta say- Zagreb was putting up some fierce competition. After spending a day touring the city on foot immediately after getting off a 10 hour flight, I was exhausted. I split away from my parents to take a quick nap and regain some sense of normalcy before we met with the extended family for dinner. That dinner will forever be one of my favorite family memories. Maybe it had something to do with the free flowing wine, but the conversation was top notch. I learned so much about people I have known my entire life and I really don't know the last time I had laughed that hard.

The next morning, we were off to Rovinj. It's a small oceanfront town, and it is amazing. In fact, they say on a clear day you can actually see Venice across the water.

Since the town is on the water, the seafood is amazingly fresh. We had amazing weather and spent the day swimming the ocean and touring the old town.

The sunset that night was potentially the best sunset I have ever seen in my life. I almost didn't go down to the water to watch, but my mom begged me to go with her. I have to give her props- she truly picked a spectacular spot to watch from.

We had some extra time here and I had been reading the tour book my dad had brought with him. There was mention of an old walled town in the mountains called Motovun that was known for great views and truffle-filled cuisine. That sounded right up my alley so the next morning we hopped in the car and took off for the mountains. 

Motovun from the car

The views were amazing- everything was so lush and green. Apparently, this was the rainiest September Croatia had seen in years. We got lucky and didn't get caught in too many downpours, and we got such amazing vistas.

I was obsessed with trying to figure out what the giant straw man in the town courtyards purpose was. It was so whimsical!

Motovun and Rovinj are now my top recommended spots for a Croatian visit. They aren't too overrun with tourists and the food and views are top-notch.

On our way to Zadar, we stopped at Krka National Park. I had really wanted to see Plitvice, but due to the rain, the flooding was out of control and the majority of the park was closed.

Krka was unreal. I can't say which park I'd recommend since we weren't able to see Plitvice. However, you can normally swim in the falls in Krka and you can't do that in Plitvice. I went in expecting to be disappointed, but Krka as amazing, the falls were much larger than I expected, and while it was crowded- it was quite easy to get unobstructed pictures of the amazing scenery.

Our next stop was Zadar. I had really high expectations for Zadar, and while it was cool- it wasn't my favorite of our destinations.  I did enjoy the Roman ruins and the Sea organ quite a bit though.

 Hemingway called the sunsets in Zadar some of the best in the world. Unfortunately, we didn't have the greatest weather for the night we were there. The sunset was beautiful- to be sure, but it didn't have the same staggering beauty of the one's we had seen in Rovinj.

Our final stop was in Split. We met with the entire extended family and sailed across the Adriatic to an isolated island where we had the best lunch I have ever had in my life.

 The water was exceptionally choppy, and luckily, Shelby and I don't suffer from sea-sickness. A lot of our family struggled on the way out and back, but we were having the time of our lives.

I am surprised no one fell in since there really wasn't anywhere great to sit or hold on too.  We were all pretty haphazardly spread around the 'kids' sailboat. We had three- one for the youths, one for the women, and one for the men.

We also had a spectacular dinner and night out with the whole group once we got back to Split.

Moody B&W shot

Split is a very unique city. It is all built in an old fortress/castle. Walking through that town is a really cool experience. If you are visiting Croatia, don't miss Split. I headed back to the States after Split, and a lot of the family continued to Dubrovnik and some of the Croatian islands. 

All around this was such a special trip and I think it really brought us all together. Especially considering the loss of the family patriarch. 

House Boating

I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy. Let's face it, friends make life a lot more fun. -Charles R. Swindoll

I realize I haven't written since last summer, but I am going to backfill you all in on the exciting adventures I have been on between now and then.  In July 2014, I went home to go camping with my best friends. Traditionally, we camp in an isolated location near a lake. However, due to the drought and some of the fires- we were unable to go to our normal location. So for the first time, we decided to try house-boating. We drove up to Bullards Bar and spent a few days on the lake. Honestly, it was one of the best times I have ever had.

I've mentioned this before, but I have incredible friends. I've known these girls for 19/20 years and I am so lucky to have them. Now that a lot of us no longer live near each other, opportunities like these are all the more special.

'King of the World'…or at least Queen of the Lake

While the drought had visibly lowered the water level- the lake was still unbelievably beautiful. The color of the water reminded me of the Caribbean, while the sandstone rocks made everything feel all the more exotic.

The gorgeous Bullard's Bar

We spent the first day catching up, drinking copious amounts of margaritas and beer, and remembering how lucky we all are.

I realize that all too often I can take my friends and family for granted, and it's moments like these when you can just take it all in. We were the only people out on the lake, and there is something so great about having that isolation (especially when you are with your friends for life).

 As the sun began to set, we all were just struck with the unparalleled beauty of the world around us. Considering that the drought has continued to get considerably worse over the past 9 months- we really need to figure out a way to keep these beautiful unspoiled places vibrant.

The rest of the trip flew by in a rush of paddle boarding, tubing, wake boarding, and all around frivolity. 

I highly recommend camping/houseboating/backpacking as great girls trips. All too often, we jump to cosmopolitan city getaways or spa vacations (which are great) and we forget how much potential a simple trip has. This was one of the best vacations I had ever had. It made hopping back on a plane to work and reality so much harder (and isn't that the true testament to a great trip?)

The Best Friends 

Leap of Faith 

Unfortunately, I don't think I'll make it home for a repeat adventure this summer, but when you have lifelong friends- it's only a matter of time :)

Sierra Nevadas

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves."-John Muir

Growing up, my grandparents had a cabin in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. They had designed the house to hold their family (there are a lot of us).  My cousins, aunts, and uncles would all head up a few times a year and I can honestly say that those were some of my favorite memories. I'll never forget the time my cousins and I went into the drained lake and got covered in mud (wearing our new back to school clothes) and my aunts made us walk back to the house in our underwear. My memories of my grandpa making all of us Mickey Mouse waffles and air popped popcorn in a paper bag are now some of my most treasured memories. I learned to ski, hike, and be astounded by the beauty of nature at that cabin.

So when my grandparents decided they no longer wanted the responsibility of a second home, I begged my parents to buy it from them. Luckily, my dad seemed to harbor the same nostalgia I did, and he bought the house. Everyone in our family still uses the place, and whenever I make it home I try to get in a trip.

A few weeks ago, I flew back to California and my first day home, my parents and I drove up to the cabin. Happily enough, my best friends family also has a place a mile from ours and they decided to join us. It was a quick trip, but it was perfect. We wine tasted and went hiking in some of the most gorgeous places. Even with the drought, the Sierras were vibrant with life.

Gorgeous flower at my parents house. 

Upon arrival at our cabin, we promptly headed into town for lunch. The restaurant we frequent serves one of my favorite drinks of all time-The Florsecco. It is basically prosecco and hibiscus (complete with a hibiscus flower). It is the perfect lunch drink-it isn't to heavy, it's totally refreshing, and it tastes exactly like a summer day. I need to try and replicate it at home.

After having lunch, we met up with my best friend and her mom. We spent the rest of the day wine tasting at the numerous wineries in the area. I have got to admit-I may have overindulged…

Featured Fashion: Free People Shorts, Francescas Necklace

 Wine tasting with your family, best friend, and dog in the most perfect weather imaginable is not a bad way to spend a day.

The next day we embarked on one of my dad's favorite hikes. He used to backpack quite a bit and he seems to always have great spots for us to go.  This is one of the best hikes-it's kind of off the beaten track so it is rarely crowded and there are a ton of lakes along the way- which provide great scenic overlooks and great swimming holes for the dogs.

My dog (the golden) and my best friends black lab became close friends on their adventuring.

Seriously though, how cute is Brody? He is the most photogenic dog I have ever had.

I am so blessed to be able to come to a place like this with my family. The quote at the start of this post is a John Muir quote about the Sierras. Mr. Muir was right-there is something magical about the area, and I couldn't be happier that I get to visit from time to time...

Cheers XX