Scott and Ellen's visit

On Kevin's second week home from deployment, his parents were able to come out for a visit. They were here about 10 days and really got to soak up the local Italian experience. We also did a bonus trip to Lake Bled.

We did the standard hike at Lake Barcis which has become a tour favorite because it's so pretty and so close to the house. Here's a great shot of the lake. It was so still that the reflection was really awesome, and there was a little bit of snow on the peaks.



We also went up to Cimolias and wondered around in the dry riverbed up there. It was a beautiful day and we got some really good shots of the mountians. Here's Kevin and I next to what's left of the creek.



And here's Scott and Ellen on our hike. Scott was loving all the photography opportunities and I think with all the cool scenery he got some really great shots.



On the last few days of their visit we drove out to Lake Bled in Slovenia. It was pouring rain for the entire drive, but we wanted to give it a try anyway because the area is so great. When we got there it was still raining. We thought we would just put on our raincoats and head out around the lake anyway. We made it about a quarter of the way around before we realized we were getting very wet, and we had all packed so lightly that we didn't have another pair of jeans. We thought it best to go back to the hotel and have some hot tea and just take it easy until dinner. Here are some of the shots we did get during day one in the rain. This is a view of the church out on the island in the middle of the lake. Kevin took it through the fall leaves trying to be artsy, and I think it turned out pretty cool.



This is one of the hotels on the lake. We didn't stay here this time, but we did last time when I did Lake Bled with my family. I put this up just to show how red the vines get, I think I posted the same photo with the vines green from this summer.



After our hot tea/coffee in the hotel we ventured out in the rain for dinner. We found a great place called The Grill and we were the only people in the place! It's late in the season and with the weather being so bad there were not many people around. That turned out very well for use, because the waiter was very happy to see us. He recommended the grilled plates for two, so we got it. Scott and Ellen got the mixed grilled meat, and Kevin and I got the mixed grilled seafood. We all ended up sharing all of it, and it was great. The waiter finished off our dinner with a glass of port on the house. It was a very nice evening!



The next morning the rain had stopped but it was still pretty cold. We all put on all our layers and headed out for the Gorge near the Lake. I had done this gorge during the summer with the family, but with all the rain that we had just gotten it was a whole new place. The water was running very high, and the leaves were all bright yellow. Here we are all bundled up at the beginning of the hike...





Just a cool shot of the leaves and the water...




On the way back from the gorge we stopped at the castel to check out the view over the lake. The same red vines were growing here too...I just think they're so cool!



Here we are looking over at the lake with the island in the background.






We drove back to Italy that day, and Scott and Ellen flew out the next morning. We had a great visit, it's always nice to have family come visit especially when we are so far from home!