Where Rugged Coasts and the Bura Wind Collide

Today we docked in the port of Zadar, Croatia and we had a busy day planned once again. Even though the temps were in the high 80's we were cooled by the Bura wind - What's that you may ask? I hadn't heard of it myself until I checked the weather forecast today and it said the winds could reach 65 mph by tonight. The Bura is a powerful, cold, and gusty northeasterly wind that sweeps down from the mountains along Croatia's Adriatic coast. Known for its sudden onset and high speeds, the Bura can significantly impact local weather and sea conditions, often bringing clear skies but challenging conditions for travelers. Fortunately, we'll be well on our way to the next town in Croatia before the Bura hits full force.

Croatia's Adriatic coastline, a dazzling collection of bays, beaches, and rocky inlets, bustled with life today. We departed from Zadar, a hidden gem of the Dalmatian Coast, and set course for the island town of Pag. There, we wandered through narrow lanes of the medieval town, founded in 1443. Our exploration revealed an ancient fortress, historic salt flats, and vibrant maritime scenes. We concluded our visit by savoring a great cup of coffee alongside the implausibly blue waters of the Adriatic Sea.[I know we're going to have a hard time going back to Folgers after drinking Americano coffee in Europe!]

Next we traveled the sun-drenched land of warm stone architecture and red-tiled roofs to Kolan village where we sampled cheese made from sheep milk.

No comparison to good-old Wisconsin cheese! But the sites along the way with the crystal clear blue water and the impressive rocky mountains stretching skyward was well worth the trip.

This mountain range is the Dinaric Alps which separates the continental Balkan Peninsula from the Adriatic Sea. The mountains stretch from Italy in the northwest through Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, and Kosovo to Albania in the southeast. These sedimentary rock formations are one of the most rugged and extensive mountainous areas of Europe. Definitely makes us miss "our" Wyoming Rocky Mountains!!