The Dalmation Coast Tour

The Lopezjoneses' Backroads multi-adventure Dalmation Coast tour began with a bike ride outside of Split. The group was small and included a mom and her 10 year old, Matt.

Cycling through the mountains was breathtaking. All the kids did very well following instructions and sharing the road with cars. Having the leaders really helps the dads enjoy their bike ride.

On the first day everyone added the extra route to Pirate's View. They cycled 18.2 miles on this day and the view was worth it.

After lunch everyone was shuttles to the town of Omis and checked in for the night. Lucky for the kids there was a pool. And the views - just as amazing.

The next morning the island hopping began. Boarding a 24M, 111 year old ship they sailed to the island of Brac.

It was a hiking day which begain in the coastal town of Postira.

Once out of the town, following old sheppard trails, their hike really began in 80+ degree heat.

It was a beautiful hike through olive trees, rocks (plenty of rocks) and grape vines.

 With a stop in Dol for a drink and snack the hike continued to Gazul where there was lunch waiting for everyone.

After lunch everyone boarded a high-speed boat to the other side of the island to Hvar.

Checking into their hotel they found paradise.

And these two could not wait to hit that pool - with a water slide!

Lucky for them they are spending two nights here!

2018 World Cup Watching

Sunday afternoon, after another day at the beach, the Lopezjoneses headed to Josipa Jurja park to join the locals for a viewing of the final World Cup game. How lucky for them the Croatian national team was in the running to win.

The park was crowded and there was plenty of excitement in the air. The park was turned into a giant biergarten with a big tv screen broadcasting the game.

After the novelty wore off the twins set off around to explore the area. They found a tree to climb, pigeons, ruins to walk through, and of course one of the many local cats.

After the game the locals were not with out celebrating. Bottle rockets and flairs were the choice of celebration. The smoke and noise filled the air, Navi did not like either.

Just like PapaJason had predicted, no restaurant would be serving food during or right after the game. So street food was the dinner of choice that night.

Croatia - The Jet Lag

The Lopezjoneses started on their journey to Europe Wednesday night. Landing outside of Venice  Thursday night they spent the night at an airport hotel and woke up at 5am the next morning for breakfast. They had a plane to catch early in the morning.

Split, Croatia was their destination. They planned on four days of beach time to get over the jet lag. The beaches here are beautiful, but pebbly. Navi took to the water right away.

It took Ada a little time to adjust to the pebbles on the beach.

Again, Navi took to the water very well. Like the many locals and tourist he was all for jumping in the water - by far the youngest kids doing it.

And the water was beautiful. Blue and very clear.

They took one evening to play tourist visiting Diocletian Palace in the center of town. Built by the Roman Emperor Diocletian, some time ago.

Dinners were out at restaurants and sometimes there was gelato afterwards.

Ovcice beach was their area of choice to hang out during the days. It was the best, less crowded, swimming area  with some descent snorkeling.

New Shoes

The twins got new hiking shoes and they needed to break them in. So on Wednesday they headed to Golden Gate Park and hike Strawberry Hill.

But really all they wanted to do was climb trees.

A treat, the waterfall was on this day. They both climbed up and found favorite spots to enjoy the water views.

SF Outing

The bay area has been having such nice weather lately. The twins decided one morning they wanted to go to Pier 39 and play tourist.

Using their own money they got to play some really neat video games.

Later that evening, Roberta who is here from Italy teaching at La Scuola for the summer and is being hosted by the Lopezjoneses, treated the family to a dinner. She's been with the Lopezjoneses for several weeks now and has brought the needed Italian language to the household.

Lopez Camping Weekend

On Thursday afternoon the dads pulled into Huntley Mill and found the twins happily playing with their cugini and ZioLuca's sister's kids.

It was a fun few days for them and they got to sleep in their tent by themselves for two nights.

Later in the week DaddyQuique's family made it up. The big surprise was the Benji made it up along with Abuelito.

Along with Marky and the usual campers; Elva, Ximena, Diego, Dalila, Melissa and her boyfriend, and Abue.

The kids mostly hung out at the dock, by the beach.

Or on the water.

Back at camp it was a 'Lord of the Flies' situation, but everyone remained civil and got along quite well.

Overnight Guests

The Adriani children stopped by in San Francisco for an overnight. Ada and Navi were very excited to have their cousins. Early in the morning they all went to Pacific Heights for a some play time.

Even thought Dolores Park is half a block from their house it's not their favorite playground. Lafayette Park has one of the better playgrounds in SF.

They had a great time, it was sunny, plenty of snacks and they got a good hour of playtime before all four packed their stuff and headed up to Huntley Mill for the 4th of July. The dads will join them in a couple days.

Beach Party

 The twins headed to Salinas for an overnight this weekend. The first thing they always do is head to the garden. Ada picked blackberries.

And Navi helped Abuelito harvest lemons.

That evening they were invited to a beach bonfire birthday party in Moss Landing. To their surprise they were greeted with a large pod of whales right of the beach.

It was a cold one in Moss Landing, but the hosts came prepared.

With a little help from the children, at DaddyQuique's request because that's what kids are for, they moved a large log to place near the warmth of the party.

The bonfire. Where they kids kept warm, or dried themselves from the beach,  and roasted pineapples. They also played a few games, flew a kite, and kicked the soccer ball around.

There were also smores!

It was a bit windy for the birthday candle to stay light, so a sparkler was used instead.

And of course there were sparklers for all. Later in the evening Ada revealed she burned two of her fingers.

Here's Navi photo-bombing his cousins' picture, Julian, Xavier and Jayden. Notice Ada in the background with the birthday girl.