Day 3

 Jessica here, today!

Day 3 was off to a much better start. We all got a decent night's sleep and the boys even let us sleep in until 6:30am. How kind. Breakfast consisted of some salami, cheese, grapes, and veggie straws. Adam and Luke went out on a final kayak ride while Ryan and I finished packing. We said good bye to our first Airbnb, and made the quick journey to Orava Castle. Adam was able to take some excellent drone pictures before we started the trek to the ticket booth. We braved the steep walk up the cobbled pathway, Ryan in the baby carrier and Luke on foot, and made it with 2 minutes to spare before opening. There were many guides along the way directing us into various rooms and exhibits. Luke and Ryan even got to see their very first torture chamber! Thankfully, Luke was a champ walking up all the steps with only mild complaints. Ryan, on the other hand, was on my back the whole time. But don't worry, Adam had to carry Luke down all the stairs and down the hill back to the car due to his legs being "tired". There were exhibits showing wildlife in the area, which the boys really enjoyed. We also got to see a media room where they showed all of the films that the castle had been featured in (unfortunately, none that we had seen). In another life, we would have read through all of the informational signs, but we were lucky to catch a glimpse with how fast Luke was moving. 

Once we made it back down to the car, we quickly reassessed our plans and nixed the hike we were supposed to do next. Luke's legs weren't' the only ones that were tired. Instead, we opted to drive to Liptovsky Mikulas, a small town near our next Airbnb. We got there right when they opened for lunch and were able to sit outside. Wanting a small break from traditional Slovakian food, Adam and I ordered pizzas. I got one with sausage, ham, and onions, and he went with a classic margherita. The boys enjoyed it as well. Don't worry, Adam also sampled the beer and I was able to enjoy a glass of wine. 

Our next Airbnb, Chata Janka,  was a short 15 minute drive away. Once we were there, the boys immediately started playing in the spacious backyard, complete with a swing set, sandbox, toys galore, and trampoline! Rather than go out again, Adam went to the grocery store and picked up some essentials and ingredients for dinner. While the boys were jumping and playing, Adam grilled up some sausages and potatoes over a wood fire. Dinner was delicious and we finished right before the bugs started to come out. After a few more minutes of playtime, we all came inside the spacious cabin to relax. To our surprise, there were even more toys inside! Luke and Ryan played with legos, while Adam and I relaxed on the couch. Both boys are now happily in bed and we are enjoying our evening. The weather is looking a little bleak tomorrow, so wish us luck!