Grebaje Storm

When we rolled into Grebaje valley, we were squinting into the beams of our headlamps. We could barely make out the outline on craggy tall peaks just beyond the flat land. And yet, Kiran somehow recognized the Hilux of the Slovakian family that had accosted us in Andrijevica. Dana and Josef were with other overlander families, and I got some very potent welcomes in a short glass.

The next morning was sunny and radiant and we could finally see the splendor amidst which we had pitched the tent. We thought it was good to have a rest day, so we set about doing some much needed laundry in the water spring.

It was impossible to guess what would happen there just two hours later. Starting with loud thunder with no clouds overhead, the sky then built up and started to shoot down large ice pellets and thundering rain. We moved in to the camp roof next to us and watched in wonder. And we wondered how the tent would hold up against the growing puddle around it.

After the storm subsided, Kiran and I played our most dramatic game of frisbee with our camp neighbors - friendly Dutch girls who were also huddled under the shelter. We saw out the evening indoors in a nearby inn with board games - and the rain had not yet completely stopped. It was the second rain I've had in nearly 40 days, but wow, what a dramatic storm in a dramatic valley!Read more