We spent two nights in a very relaxing place, with no screaming kids, no traffic noise, only birds and the wind. The best part was that I was allowed to roam free a little and I made a friend that stopped by and asked me to come out and play, which I did

I had to make sure I'm home for breakfast because Mom usually shares a little with me, I know she can't resist my begging face even if she tries to ignore me looking into that box.

Lucy is cleaned up and the laundry is done. Fresh sheets that have been dried in the wind. I thought Mom was going to inhale the sheets?

Now we were both well rested and off we went to the next stop which was Plitvice National Park. 

On the way there we saw many booths along the road which was selling local cheese and honey. Mom has really missed good cheese so we stopped and this old lady had her taste some really good homemade cheese. Mom said ok to buy one piece of cheese and a jar of honey for 20 euros, which she thought was way too much but ok. The lady wanted more money and Mom showed her all she has was credit cards and then she tried to poke her finger into the slot where money is kept.   Later when Mom opened the package she had somehow switched the cheese Mom picked into some old dried-up hard pieces haha haha. How could a sweet little old lady like this be dishonest Mom thought.

I stayed in Lucy the whole time so I take no responsibility ................The honey is delicious.

So we arrived at the park before noon and we were lucky to have nice cool weather for a hike.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is Croatia's largest national park covering almost 30,000 hectares. The lake system stands out, fascinating scientists and visitors alike. Interconnected by many waterfalls and watercourses above and below ground, the lakes are grouped into upper and lower lakes. The former is formed on dolomites, with mild relief, not-so-steep shores, and enclosed by thick forests, whereas the latter, smaller and shallower, are situated in limestone canyon with partially steep shores. The lake system is the result of millennia of ongoing geological and biochemical processes creating natural dams known as tufa barriers. These are formed by the deposition of calcium carbonate from the waters flowing through the property. this system is a geochemical process of tufa formation that interacts with living organisms, most importantly mosses, algae, and aquatic bacteria. The scale of the overall lake system and the natural barriers are an exceptional expression of the aesthetically stunning phenomenon, acknowledged since the late 19th century. The park area is mainly covered with very well-preserved forests essential for the continuity of geochemical processes in the water system (above and below ground), which include an area of 84 ha of old-growth forest of beech and fir. Besides the striking landscape beauty and the processes that continue to shape the lakes, the park is also home to noteworthy biodiversity. The tufa barriers themselves provide habitat for diverse and highly specialized communities of non-vascular plants. Brown bears, Grey Wolves, and Lynx along with many rare species roam the forests, while the meadows are known for their rich flora.

At the gate, we received a map of choices of paths to take, and Mom asked which one is most scenic. Girls response was "If you want to see it all it's the 12 km (8.5 miles) hike" OK, we want to see it all, and off we went.

I wasn't crazy about the bridges where water is rushing this close, but neither was Mom

This wasn't fun, we both got wet and the roar from the water is scary 

I heard Mom being upset with herself for not bringing the "real camera" instead of only her phone because pictures didn't come out as well.

It wasn't a very difficult walk and there were strict rules about staying on the paths and not to venture into the woods. 

Mom was so proud of me for not barking back at some dogs that didn't like me and walking along on my own most of the time. Sometimes the wood was spaced a little too far apart so it was hard to keep all four paws on top so Mom carried me through the worst parts.

The lakes are crystal clear and bluish green absolutely stunning At times it looked like the water is coming out of the trees 

We looked for wildlife and all we found was this frog and many small turquoise dragonflies (impossible to catch on phone) that swarmed the shallow part of the lakes.

This must be made by a sharp-toothed animal? beaver?

 Back to where we started, we had a steep 1-mile hill to get back to the parking space. You should have heard Mom's huffing and puffing. I thought this day was amazing we should do it more often I said to Mom,

sure, she said as soon as I recover from this.

At the parking place, it was a no dogs allowed store so I sat with this guy from Chicago while Mom went to get water and a snack for us

It's now 7.30 am and Mom is looking at a map to figure out where we'll go next. Sounds like a new country again?

The weather is great around 20-25 during the day and it drops to below 20 at night. (75F and below) can't get any better.

I'm feeling great this morning, but listening to Mom groaning I think her old body got a bit of a beating yesterday. She says it was all worth it though it was a gorgeous park well worth visiting again.

Wet  kisses to all

Henry

PS. Did I tell you that Mom is super duper proud of me?  

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