Camping at Plitvice

We went camping Friday night. Yes, just for one night! We drove to a beautiful national park in Croatia called Plitvice Lakes. It was the most beautiful place we have been to so far in Croatia.



We pitched our tent at the campground there, rolled out the sleeping bags and had a restless night of sleep on our sloped spot. When we woke in the morning, our boys had slid halfway down the floor of the tent and ~N~ snaked his way back to the top edge. It was quite comical, he looked like an inchworm in a bag! Camping at this park (and maybe it is this way all over Croatia?) was different than in the U.S. We didn't drive around looking for a numbered spot to call our own. Instead we drove through the campground and looked for any grassy place that was appealing to us. It was a busy night... all of the flat, shady spots were taken, so we made the best of it on our little slope. We drove our van across the grass, down a hill, and into a grove of trees where about 3 or 4 other tents were already set up. Clara slept as good as can be expected, snuggled next to me in my sleeping bag (actually, hubby and I had twin size air mattresses, quite comfy!)



We did not bring food, as we had decided to keep it simple with the baby on this trip. We walked to the restaurant, where only one other family was eating. At first we thought it was closed, and were ready to accept this European aversion to breakfast. When we realized it was open, we saw that they had what they called "self service." On the buffet table you could choose from thick slices of bread, sliced cheese, cold turkey slices, canned fruit, oats, corn flakes, instant coffee or tea, and tomato juice. This was a costly breakfast, at 50 kuna ($9) a head, and 25 kuna ($5) for kids. We should have brought our own breakfast, if nothing else!!

After breakfast, we lounged at our campsite awhile. I put a big blanket on the ground under our shade tree for Clara to crawl around on. She nursed and had a nap there while the boys rode their scooters around and picked out a snack at the market. I read a few pages of my book, The Siren Queen by Fiona Buckley.

When Clara woke up, we packed up the tent and all our stuff, then drove about 6 km to the first entrance of the national park. We were ready for our 3 hour hike (which took us 4 hours and 45 minutes!) I put Clara in our front carrier and held an umbrella over us for shade. Dad carried the backpack that contained water, snacks, camera and diapers. Our first view of the waterfalls was breathtaking. They were gorgeous! Most of the time we were walking on a board path, and sometimes just a dirt trail. It was a hot 90 degrees or more, but we were in a forest with lots of trees which kept us shaded a lot of the time.



Towards the end of our hike, we ate a meal of what they called "chicken on a spit", pork cutlet, 2 hamburgers and 2 orders of french fries. The chicken was delicious! We topped it off with ice cream, and then boarded a ferry to cross the lake. More walking to get to the tram which would take us back to the park entrance. Well, it would have if we had gotten on the right tram. We unknowingly boarded the tram that took us all the way to the other end of the park!!! Ack! And with a tired, hot and sweaty baby! I stripped her down to her diaper and she enjoyed grabbing at the shirt that belonged to the man who was standing next to us. He was hiking with a small child himself, and often smiled and cooed at Clara.



Realizing our mistake after we got off the tram and things didn't look familiar, we did the right thing and ASKED SOMEONE FOR HELP, then got right back on the dumb tram and rode back down again. We got off and had to walk another 20 minutes or so to get back to our van and the wonderful cool A.C. Whew!!!

On the way back home, we stopped at a little waterfall area/swimming hole where Dad and the boys jumped in for a little cool-down. It looked like fun, but Clara thought the water too cold for her taste!




I'm glad we took the time to get out of the busy city for awhile. I always love the night sounds as we drift off to sleep in the tent, and also when we wake in the morning and see the trees with the sun shining through them, the call of the birds, and the fresh dampness of the morning dew. So simple, so peaceful, so refreshing! Thank you Lord, for the beauty of Your Creation. Open our eyes so that we may see your Glory!