15 Days x 15 Words

May went by in the rush that all teachers know consumes the end of any school year.  IB exams, closing ceremonies, getting the students out of the residence and final staff meetings kept me busy from May 1 to 26.  By then, my parents had arrived for one last visit while we could share our language skills and (very small) car before we move back to the US.
Since then, we have been busy.  I will keep this short but didn't want to skip sharing some highlights from the past weeks.  It was 15 busy days, and here are the highlights in 15 words or less. . .

May 27:  After a stop at the Croatian seaside, we drove to this B&B at Plitvice Lakes.

May 28:  Took a beautiful, crowded boat ride and hike around the lakes with tons of tourists.

May 29:  6:00 wake up call for solitude at the lakes, followed by spit-roasted pork for dinner.

May 30:  Back in Duino, Mom and Dad enjoyed a HUGE fish plate while waiting for laundry.

May 31:  On to Ravenna for some art and culture.  The mosaics make the trip worthwhile.

June 1:  Bologna:  stop two on the "not on a tourbus" tour of Italy.  For the food.

June 2:  We have become fans of Prosecco from Valdobbiadene, so a tasting here was fantastic.

June 3:  The Dolomites hike was "the hardest" Mom remembered--either from the hailstorm or elevation gain. . .

June 4: All enjoyed homemade pizza and an extra-large bottle of prosecco with our favorite B&B superhosts.

June 5:  Even world travelers do laundry, and local gelato in Duino makes it much easier!

June 6:  Back on the road--this time for a reunion with German relatives after 20 years.

June 7:  A day with family included a trip to visit the world's largest cuckoo clock.

June 8:  Melted during a walk on the Rhine and dined with extended family (while speaking German).

June 9:  Tom and I ran off to Heidelberg where we were tourists for the day.

June 10: Auf Wiedersehen, Deutchland!  Städte, Essen und Familie - wir haben alles geliebt!

Here are just a few pictures, because I know Tom will post more.

Plitvice (without crowds)

Gayle and Jeff enjoyed the view

488 steps to the top of the tower in Bologna

The World's Largest Cuckoo Clock
(less impressive than I expected)

Heidelberg Castle

When in Germany, eat bratwurst!

Heidelberg, viewed from the castle

Now we are busy packing in the heat in Italy with frequent breaks to eat pizza and jump into the sea--two of the things we will miss terribly once we move.