A Hidden Gem in Croatia

Back in the 1990's there was a huge civil war in a country that used to exist called Yugoslavia.  When the Berlin Wall came down and Russia had it's August Coup, Communism was falling all over the place.  When it all fell apart in Yugoslavia, the factions that had lived as a communal country for all those years, couldn't seem to get along and it made a really messy war.  Of course, the US got involved to help, but I'm not sure that we did all that much good.  In the end, there was a big mess to clean up and a whole bunch of separate countries.  Among them was Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Macedonia, and Croatia.  Croatia has been placed firmly on my to do list.

Zagreb is the capital of Croatia and is one of the great historic cities of Eastern Europe.  It survived the war and today is ready for tourists with guides and trams and all the historic sites that you'd ever want to see.  I do love an old European capital, but that wasn't what I wanted to talk about today.

We all know how much I love to get out of town, and the only thing that I love more than that is waterfalls.  So, while in Croatia, you have to visit Plitvice National Park.  This well known wonder is full of lakes and waterfalls.  There are 16 lakes in this park and 16 cascades to go with them.

There are boats, helicopters, wooden walkways, and many other ways to enjoy the lakes, waterfalls and other parts of the park.  There are three hotels within the main park to stay at and the park is open year round.  Obviously it's best to come in the summer months in order to see the amazing turquoise waters of these amazing lakes.  It's some 380 meters from top to bottom of these lakes, it all falls in 8 kilometers, and it's one of the largest collections of lakes and waterfalls in a single place in the world.  The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is well cared for by Croatia.

But that is only the obvious part of this trip.  I found a surprise, at least for me.

The village is called Rastoke, in Slunj.  It's on the way from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes.  This little village is full of water.  There are buildings on the river.  There are old mills that still grind grain.  There are hotels and restaurants.  There's a giant gorge full of waterfalls right down the middle of town.  This little place is one of the most scenic villages I've ever seen.

This amazing little village was all but destroyed during the war.  Afterward, they rebuilt it just as it was before.  Technically, it's part of Plitvice Lakes Park, but it's a town that loves to see tourists, and it's right on the way to the other park.  Pedros Restaurant on the water is the place to eat.  There are plenty of shops as well.  You can also do all kinds of adventure sports in this village. You can zip line, raft, ride ATV's, hike, swim and even kayak and bike.  This is my hidden gem of Croatia.  I'd never heard of it before, and as of now; it looks like a great place to visit that might even be a little off the beaten path and less full of tourists.

So, fly in to Zagreb and spend some time seeing a great historic city.  Make your way to Plitvice and enjoy one of the world's most talked about National Parks.  In between, take the road less traveled and stop off for a day or two in the amazing little village of Rastoke.  The sights will amaze you, and who knows?  You may not want to leave.  Enjoy this fabulous hidden gem of Croatia...Rastoke!


http://np-plitvicka-jezera.hr/en/
http://www.booking.com/hotel/hr/plitvice.html
http://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/index.php/croatia-destinations/plitvice-lakes/
https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/croatias-stunning-plitvice-lakes
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/croatia/plitvice-lakes-national-park/sights/parks-gardens/plitvice-lakes-national-park
http://www.zagrebtours.com/en/t/plitvice-lakes/2/
http://slunj-rastoke.com/index.php?id=23&lang=en
https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A2KLqIHaQz1XNisAeSg0nIlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTByZWc0dGJtBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDdmlkBHZ0aWQDBGdwb3MDMQ--?p=rastoke+you+tube&vid=f196d4fb766f6154c079f7dfc726878e&turl=http%3A%2F%2Ftse3.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOVP.V844415f3ed808eac475a30ca1ff90fbd%26pid%3D15.1%26h%3D124%26w%3D300%26c%3D7%26rs%3D1&rurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DdwNh_JzbcUc&tit=RAST+RAFT+2016.+Slunj-Rastoke+%28Official+Video%29&c=0&h=124&w=300&l=202&sigr=11bu7746r&sigt=11eogrf0l&sigi=131c045nb&age=1461754919&fr2=p%3As%2Cv%3Av&fr=yhs-att-att_001&hsimp=yhs-att_001&hspart=att&tt=b
http://www.booking.com/hotel/hr/mirjana.html
http://www.gold-tours.com/mice/incoming-croatia/192-day-trip-to-plitvice-lakes-rastoke
http://www.zagreb.com/
http://www.infozagreb.hr/&lang=en
http://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/index.php/croatia-destinations/zagreb/
http://www.croatiatraveller.com/Zagreb_region/zagreb.htm
http://beautifulplacestovisit.com/lakes/plitvice-lakes-national-park-croatia/
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/98
http://alifeofmore.co.uk/undiscovered-croatia-waterfalls-canyons-rastoke/
http://europeupclose.com/article/rastoke-croatia-an-old-mill-town/
http://www.kensingtontours.com/Travel/Tours/Croatia
http://www.jaywaytravel.com/tour/croatia/
http://www.croatiatravel.com/
http://www.cafepress.com/artisticcreationsbyninakindred1
http://www.zazzle.com/imagings
http://terri-dixon.pixels.com/
https://www.facebook.com/adventuresforanyone?fref=ts
https://www.fictionpress.com/u/530752/Nina-Kindred

It's More Than Just Sporting Equipment...It's Bass Pro Shops!

Here's a story for you.  When I was young, I loved the outdoors. That hasn't changed.  At the time I was living in Indiana and we had to drive a long way to do any really good shopping.  There was no internet and so forth; it's just the way it was.  I got a catalog in the mail one day from Bass Pro Shops.  There were no stores in my area at the time.  I started doing some research, and I found out some fabulous things.

Johnny Morris is the founder of the chain of giant sporting goods stores that are mimicked in Tim Allen's sitcom "Last Man Standing."  He opened the first store in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri in 1981.  What I discovered when I found out about the stores was that he also had a huge rustic lodge not far from Branson, Missouri called Big Cedar Lodge.  They have all kinds of outdoors activities.  It's an amazing place, or so I hear.  I spent many seasons trying to get my then husband to go to this place for a vacation.  It never happened.  Sadly, I moved to New England and started shopping at L.L. Bean and never really thought about it again.

After all these years, a few weeks ago I was driving down I-95 in Bridgeport, CT and saw Outdoor World.  I couldn't get it out of my head.  It was the store I'd always wanted to go to.  So, I dragged my unwilling teenage boy down to Bridgeport a couple of weeks ago to finally see what it was like inside.

The place is the size of a small mall, and they have everything.  You can buy hunting, fishing, all field and court sports items.  You can buy boats, ATVs, grills, food, camping and backpacking gear, and even furniture.  It's truly amazing.

But that's not all.  You can go bowling there.  They also have a restaurant.  It's a whole experience for those of us that love the outdoors and everything that can possibly go with it.  I will warn you that if you don't like hunting and you are vegan; this place is probably not really for you.  They do have things that go with many other sports, but the decor might not be to your liking.

Personally, I couldn't get enough of the decor.  I wanted to go fishing in the aquarium.  Every trout in there looked legal.  The best part about the store was that the prices were reasonable.  With all the fancy outdoor scenes, I was expecting to find high prices.  I didn't find low prices either.  What I did find was really good prices on really good quality products.  The clothes were good too.  I even bought a pair of summer hikers.  It was great.

But, the stores are not the only story by a long shot.  Over the years, Johnny Morris not only opened Big Cedar Lodge, but Big Cypress Lodge in Memphis, TN as well.   Big Cypress has one of the largest retail spaces in the world.  The hotel has all kinds of amazing rooms; even tree houses.

But even more.  Johnny Morris is famous for his conservation and wildlife management beliefs.  Dogwood Canyon in Missouri is one of the places that he purchased and opened as a protected wildlife area.  The resorts are all dedicated to wildlife preservation.  He's spent millions on supporting these efforts.  He's a legend in Missouri.

It takes a lot of hutspa to start all of this, let alone back in the 1980's and 90's.  It was before it was truly fashionable.  He may be a hunter and fisherman, but he does not believe in destroying any species.  It's amazing that he's done all of this with the money that he's made from his chain of giant stores.

So, here's to you, Johnny Morris and Bass Pro Shops.  I'm so glad I finally got to go to one of these amazing stores.  I only hope that I get to go to one of the resorts one day.  For an enthusiast like me, I can't get enough of the atmosphere, the local maps and the rustic bathrooms.  If you don't have time to head out to a trip any time soon, stop by the amazing Bass Pro Shops and get some gear so at least you can enjoy the outdoors around you.  Enjoy!

http://www.basspro.com/
http://www.bigcedar.com/
http://www.big-cypress.com/
http://www.dogwoodcanyon.org/
http://www.missourilegends.com/business-and-technology/johnny-morris/
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CFPageC?appID=94&storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&tab=3
https://www.facebook.com/bassproshops/
https://www.youtube.com/user/basspro
http://www.basspro.com/Marine-Accessories-%26-Boat-Seats/_/S-12225004000?affcode_c=17kw14318481&SST=1c2762f7-e1f1-45cf-8fcd-378fffb0ef05
http://www.cafepress.com/artisticcreationsbyninakindred1
http://www.zazzle.com/imagings
http://terri-dixon.pixels.com/
https://www.facebook.com/adventuresforanyone?fref=ts
https://www.fictionpress.com/u/530752/Nina-Kindred

If You've Ever Wondered What People are Doing to Help Nearly Extinct Animals...

Africa has spent it's share of time in the news.  We've heard about the civil wars, the blood diamonds, the despotic leaders, the genocides, the pirates, the famine, the attacks on United States citizens and soldiers, and so much more.  It sometimes seems that the human overshadows the wilder animals of Africa when it comes to the news.  That being said, we've all heard about poachers, and how they are decimating the populations of nearly extinct animals all over the world, with Africa being the hardest hit.  Have you ever wondered what the good people of Africa are doing to make things better for animals such as elephants, rhinoceros, and gorilla?

I mentioned recently how much Rwanda is doing to help the Mountain Gorillas.  But, I wanted to see what was going on elsewhere?  Face it, most of the endangered animals that are hunted are hunted in Africa.  The more interesting question is why?  Well, it's all about the money.  When you live in an area that has the animals that are sought after for their sense of prestige or some fertility ritual, the animals are right there.  Ivory and rhino horns are greatly sought after in Asian countries, and the locals in Africa are close by where they live.  We've all known that the economy in most African countries is questionable at best with over population and corrupt governments being a problem in many areas.  So, with all that going on, what can a country do to help protect these majestic creatures from being hunted into extinction?

Several countries have been trying several methods to combat the poaching.  Some countries, like Namibia, have tried controlled hunting so that the remaining animals have a better chance to repopulate.  That has been heavily criticized in the media in this country and has left these countries on a public hotplate.  My suggestion is not to be too hard on them.  If you do not know better, you should presume that they know what they are doing.  I just wanted to throw that out there, because both the government and the hunters have had enough for doing what they thought was best.

But, I digress.  It wasn't my intention to put down the good people who believe that the only way to save is to go with strictly no kill.  My intention was to talk about Botswana.  Botswana's current government may just be the most animal conscious in the world.  You can't hunt in Botswana.  You don't want to, because it's illegal (even though they still hunt on private property in a grey legal zone), and the punishments are great.

Moremi Game Preserve, nearby Chobe National Park, and all of the Okavango Delta are hunting free zones.  These areas are full of eco lodges, safari lodges, and tour organizations.  You can go to the local villages and meet the people, and raft the river if you like.  You can do pretty much anything there but hunt.

The Okavango is the largest river delta in the world, and it is full of hundreds of species of animals and birds.  The big five are alive and well here.  All the cats are present; leopards, lions, panthers, cheetahs.  Elephants and both black and white rhinoceros live in the park.  Hippos, hyenas, and many kinds of antelope are everywhere along with monkeys, alligators, and wildebeests.  This is the best time to come and see all the wildlife.  The government in power right now has outlawed hunting, which just makes viewing so much easier.

With three national parks and seven game reserves, over %39  of the country is dedicated to the animals.  And, if that idea of shooting an elephant lures you, remember that it will cost you 10 years in prison and $6,000 in fines.  You think maybe you'll take out a Rhino instead?  That will land you in prison for 15 years and cost you $12,000 in fines.  They are not messing around.

What about lions and cheetahs, and leopards?  They will cost you too.  The government of Botswana has taken a lot of their poachers and made them into rangers that look for poachers.  They've taken both a legal and financial step to stop the madness.  It's working.  The poaching statistics are way down lately and continue to drop.  That's good news for the animals.  It's good news for the tourists too.  With less running for their life to do, the less shy the animals are and the more likely we are to see them while on safari.

It's a lot of land to look over, and the world is looking to them the help because of their success.  Rhinoceros and other endangered species are being transported to the Okavango Delta from other areas by non profit organizations in order to help them survive.  It's working.  Rhinoceros numbers have doubled recently.  Elephant numbers are up as well.  The news is good.

What can you do to help?  There are several organizations that can be found on the Botswana government website that you can donate to.  They are good people doing good work all over Africa and some in India as well.  But in all honesty, the best thing you can do is visit.  Come and take a safari in a world where it officially does not mean a hunting trip anymore.  The more traffic from visitors, the more money will go into the local economy.  The more money, the less likely that people will poach for the cash.  Money is the name of the game, and if we pump it in there, the people won't desire to get it from illegal gains.

Let them live.  Beautiful majestic creatures deserve a chance.  Come and take a look instead of a shot.  Come and visit the most endangered species conscious country of this time.  Come and enjoy the safe haven for all animals in a country that has outlawed taking their lives.  Come and see the amazing animals of Botswana.  Remember that this is the time to come.  If the current government is voted out, it could all change.  Take advantage now and enjoy!

http://botswanatourism.us/
http://botswana-tourism.com/
http://www.ecotourism.org/botswana-tourism-organisation
http://www.gov.bw/en/Visitors/
https://www.youtube.com/user/botswanatourism
http://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/
http://www.chobe-safari-lodges.com/lodges/mowana-safari-lodge/
http://www.okavangodelta.com/
http://www.nathab.com/africa/secluded-botswana/?utm_content=okavango%20delta&utm_term=%2Bokavango%20%2Bdelta&utm_campaign=Search%20-%20Botswana&utm_source=Bing_Yahoo&utm_medium=cpc
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/botswana
https://www.safaribookings.com/botswana/wildlife
http://www.takepart.com/article/2014/08/22/best-place-world-see-wildlife
http://www.go2africa.com/location/55/why-go
http://chobenationalpark.co.za/
http://www.wilderness-safaris.com/countries/botswana
http://www.africasafari.com/moremi_game_reserve.cfm
http://www.enchantingtravels.com/
http://yellowzebrasafaris.com/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PX%20|%20USA%20|%20Brand&utm_term=yellowzebrasafaris%20com&utm_content=USA%20|%20Yellow%20Zebra
https://www.loc.gov/law/help/wildlife-poaching/botswana.php
http://www.africatravelresource.com/
http://www.thebookingcompany.net/botswana-rhino-project.html
http://www.awf.org/wildlife-conservation/rhinoceros
http://www.cafepress.com/artisticcreationsbyninakindred1
http://www.zazzle.com/imagings
http://terri-dixon.pixels.com/
https://www.facebook.com/adventuresforanyone?fref=ts
https://www.fictionpress.com/u/530752/Nina-Kindred

Take the Boat!

Summer is finally coming and what will we do with our time?  I say, take the boat.  If there's one thing that I can say about the United States of America it's that if there's a body of water around, we will put a boat on it.  It could be a river, stream, lake, reservoir, harbor, bay, or ocean.  We love the water, and we can't get enough of it.  I spend a lot of my time going on little boat rides all over the place.  One of the best known boat rides in the country is the Maid of the Mist that goes nearly all the way under Niagara Falls.  The good news about it is that if you get stuck on the Canadian side, You can always take the Hornblower Cruise.

The Hudson River has a ton of cruises.  I've talked about them, and I will probably talk about some more this year.  Between the River Rose and the Hudson River Tours, they can show you a lot of this gorgeous waterway.  You can pick up tours in Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, Kingston, and Hudson to name a few.

In the center of the country there are some huge rivers and there are boats to ride on them.  You can check pretty much any city along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers and find a ride.  Back in the day, riverboats with paddlewheels, shows, and casinos ran all up and down these rivers.  Today, they are still cruising these waters.  Even Nashville has a paddlewheeler for you, and you will love a dinner cruise on the General Jackson.  So, whether you like the north or the south, there are plenty of river cruises for you.

Don't forget the Great Lakes.  These lakes are lined with cities that once thrived on the lakes themselves.  These cities all have boats to ride.  You can hit the major ones all along the way like Detroit, Cleveland, Toledo, Chicago, Milwaukee, and even Buffalo.  The best part about cruising around on the great lakes are the stories.  There is a lot of history along with a great view.  In Chicago they even have an architectural tour on the river.

If you love the coast, you can find hundreds of harbor, bay, islands, and other tours.  They literally have them all over the country from Bar Harbor, ME to Seattle, WA.  They will show you history of all kinds, marine life, ports, island groups, spill sights, fancy houses, skylines, and anything else you wish to see.  Catch one in San Francisco, San Diego, Houston, Miami, Chesapeake Bay Area, Savannah, Newport, and many others.

In some places the boats run tours and are also water taxis.  It's great when you can catch a water taxi or a ferry to get you around.  When on the water, you get photo ops.  That can be a great thing for the tourist or the photographer.

No matter how you look at it, boats are a great way to get a great view.  It's wonderful to maybe have a meal, learn some history, get out in the sun, and see a place from a whole new perspective.  Whether you spend some time on America's favorite boat ride or hundreds of others around the country; take the time to take a ride.  See whales, waterfalls, skyscrapers, islands, canyons, ports, bridges and so much more.  Catch a boat this season, and see what you've been missing.  Enjoy!

http://cruisesonthebay.com/
http://www.viator.com/tours/Nashville/Nashville-Showboat-Lunch-or-Dinner-Cruise/d799-3131SHOWBOAT
http://www.maidofthemist.com/
http://whalewatch.com/information/
http://barharborcruises.com/
http://www.ctriverexpeditions.org/
http://www.hudsoncruises.com/
http://www.mainstreetlakecruises.com/
http://www.belleoflouisville.org/
http://www.stlouistours.net/offer/3854/Gateway-Arch-Dinner-Cruise-in-St-Louis
http://riosanantonio.com/
https://www.hornblower.com/port/category/sd+diningcruises
http://www.savannahriverboat.com/
http://www.spiritcruises.com/chicago
http://www.steamboatnatchez.com/harborcruise.html
http://detroitprincess.com/
http://www.nauticaqueen.com/
https://www.circleline42.com/
http://www.lakepowell.com/things-to-do/boat-tours/
http://www.scenic-cruise.com/
http://www.cruisenewport.com/
http://www.zephyrcove.com/cruises/daytime-scenic-cruises/
http://www.portlandspirit.com/cruises.php
http://www.argosycruises.com/
http://www.soea.com/
http://thimbleislands.com/
http://www.alabamacruises.com/
http://www.twincitiescruises.com/tour-our-fleet/minneapolis-queen
http://www.stlawrencerivercruise.com/
https://www.nywatertaxi.com/
http://www.riverrosecruises.com/
http://essexsteamtrain.com/
https://dollysteamboat.com/
http://www.soolocks.com/
http://www.potomacriverboatco.com/
http://www.cafepress.com/artisticcreationsbyninakindred1
http://www.zazzle.com/imagings
http://terri-dixon.pixels.com/
https://www.fictionpress.com/u/530752/Nina-Kindred
https://www.facebook.com/adventuresforanyone?fref=ts