Camping Adventures

Our month long vacation in New York included a three night camping stint. Saying it was great is an understatement. We had a blast! The only thing we regret was not making our camping trip even longer. 

Rainbow Falls on the Gorge Trail in Watkins Glen

Hanging with cousin Joey

My first thought when planning this trip was that it could be really great or the worst idea ever. Turns out, Flora's a nature lover! She was happy as a clam anytime we were outdoors, hiking, roasting marshmallows (WAY past her bedtime), or hanging out in the campsite. She loved it. I'm glad that she is turning into one happy little traveler.

Breakfast at the campsite

I have so many great childhood memories of camping in Watkins Glen. I got a little nostalgic on our picnic lunch break while hiking the gorge trail. My father said it best, "Well, you've come full circle." So true. It's time to share these fun family traditions with our daughter. I already have ideas for next summer's camping adventure...

Hikes in Hoge Kempen

Maastricht is very close to Hoge Kempen, a large National Park in Belgium with tons of hiking and bike trails. A few weeks ago we drove to Maasmechelen and had our first hike with Flora as a family.

As you can see, she loves sleeping on Papa in her baby carrier.

My mountain man hiking the trail

It was a weekend of firsts for Flora. Jeker Jazz was also in Maastricht with different jazz concerts throughout the city all weekend long. Flora enjoyed sleepig through her first jazz quartet at Cafe Falstaff while Papa enjoyed a beer. See... we can have a baby and still have a life. Yay for us!

 I had to include this picture. I'm just in love with this cute little face. Flora too. :)

Hiking Plitvice Lakes

Exploring Croatian beauty continues, but this time we go off the coast and into the interior of the country. Our adventures took us to Plitvice Lakes National Park, an amazing natural wonder in the middle of Croatia. But first...a quick stop for lunch in Opatija on the Kvarner Gulf. 

Opatija

Opatija looks very different from the other places we visited. The architecture, reminiscent of Baroque through Art Nouveau periods, made this town unique from other places in Croatia we visited. We read that Opatija was a popular travel destination for the wealthy in the Hapsburg Empire and Eastern Europe in the 19th century, hence the beautiful buildings and gardens. All this talk about architecture and no pictures to show it! You'll just have to trust me that this town is pretty.  But, we do have nice pictures of the beach. We debated going swimming, but decided to get back in the car and hit the winding road to Plitivce.

Veliki Slap--Big Waterfall at Plitvice

Lower Lakes

Aerial views of the boardwalk trails

Visiting Plitvice Lakes was a unique experience. Clear, bright, green lakes, waterfalls around every corner, hidden caves, and some wildlife. The uniqueness of Plitvice comes from the calcium carbonate in the water. We learned that the calcium carbonate from the limestone creates "tavertine" or rock formations that are forever changing. The tavertine that are constantly changing and taking shape create barriers between the various lakes that help create waterfalls.

Jaap and I hiked through all of the lakes and spent almost the whole day here. There's so much to see. The views were incredible on the upper lakes. (Not to mention, getting away from tourists is always nice). This was a memorable day. We learned a lot about the diversity of Croatia. There's so much more beauty to this country than just the coast!

Ardennes with Friends in St. Hubert

Two weeks ago we enjoyed a weekend away in the Belgian Ardennes with friends. It was a weekend full of relaxation, walks, cooking (and drinking), and of course games. We rented a house in St. Hubert with four other couples and friends of ours that live in Maastricht. It was an international weekend of American, British, Dutch, and French-Canadian fun. 

First night of games...Cranium!

Our walk into town

Basilica in St. Hubert

You know you've had a good weekend when you don't have many pictures to show of it. I was having too much fun with my friends to pick up the camera and capture the moments. Oh well! 

Dutch guys having fun

My favorite thing about Belgium...beer!

Along with our friends, we rented this house in the Ardennes region in the province of Luxembourg. 1.5 hours from Maastricht and we're surrounded by beautiful forests and big rolling hills. It's a nice change in landscape from the Netherlands. 

We spent our weekend cooking for each other, playing board games, walking, hiking, and lounging on the couch. 

We had some great weather on Sunday, so a group of us decided to do some light hiking. 

My favorite photo of the day was four of the guys posing for this shot in the trees. I love the pose.

Times flies when you're having fun and this weekend went by way too fast. We're looking forward to our next weekend trip with friends!

Our Holidays in NY

Adventures with Jaap has seriously been neglected the past few weeks. Life is busy, but in a good way. Too many things happened in New York to write about. Lots of catching up with family and friends and some heavy duty wedding planning. So, here is a quick post (mostly pictures) of our Christmas holiday.

New York is my favorite place to be during the holidays. The tree, the shoppers, decorated store windows, and the lovely lights of 5th Avenue. It's really a magical place during Christmas.

Visiting the tree & Rockefeller Center

Nothing says Christmas like Cartier tied up with a big red ribbon

Visiting The Met

Here's Jaap at FAO Schwartz on 5th Avenue creating his original 'What Not' Muppet at the Muppet Workshop.  As you probably know, Jaap is an officially Muppet collector.  (This was a highlight of our trip). With the new Muppet movie out in the U.S. we were surrounded by Muppet mania.

Later on we met up with some of my favorite New Yorkers. One of my favorite thing about coming home is catching up with these wonderful people. Good times!

Susan, Michael & Shannon 

My best NY friend and our signature pose

The annual Secret Santa gathering of my friends from home is always a good time. Most of us have known each other for 25 years and in some cases since birth, literally. It's a strong bond we share and I'm happy our traditions hold strong. (We've been exchanging gifts for 17 years!)

Playing games with my nephew, Joey, on Christmas Eve

The Pardo Family Christmas Tree '12

Excited for gifts

Jaap sporting gifts knitted by Aunt Carol

 Jaap and I took my nephew up to Minnewaska State Park after Christmas for a chilly hike and some fresh air. One of my favorite things about going home is seeing mountains! Although the Dutch seem to think Limburg has 'mountains'. (They're called rolling hills, but don't tell them that).

Playing more games/discussing strategy

With Diane and the cute belly bump

We went to Pennsylvania to visit with my roomate and good friend Diane and her husband Chris for the New Year. It was nice to catch up and celebrate all the exciting things happening in our lives.

Chris (with the help of Jaap) smoked some ribs for New Year's dinner. Deliciousness!

We were able to spend lots of quality time with my mom, sister, and Joey over the vacation. Time flew by and I was sad to see our visit come to an end. Good byes at the airport are always hard, but I think this one was particularly difficult because we won't be going back to NY until October for the wedding. I miss being a part of my family's life on a regular basis and sharing moments together with them. But we are back in Maastricht now and enjoying 2012, already planning for our trip back to NY when we say "I do"!

Hiking in Cold Spring with Jaap & Mom