In Venice, Italy for Ava’s 13th Birthday.

After Croatia, we found ourselves outside of Venice, Italy. Our oldest kid was about to turn 13 and we asked her where she’d like to spend her special day and Venice it was.

We camped in a paid public lot across the water from Venice. For 18 euros a night, we were in a locked lot for RVs with showers, bathrooms and dumping/fill facilities. Dan tilted our solar panels to maximize our solar input. We could have paid for electricity for another 4 euros or so but not necessary especially when we tilt. He did a short video about tilting here if you are interested in numbers. Now that we are in western Europe, we don’t feel as safe leaving our van in random public lots as we do in eastern Europe so these guarded lots will be the norm until we return to the east side.

And as per our tradition, we always take a last photo before a birthday the night before.

Ava’s last photo as a 12 year old. Where did the time go?!?!

In the morning, she woke up to a pile of presents while custom wrapping paper thanks to her sister Mila.

Pancakes and presents for breakfast.

What do you get a kid who lives on the road full-time? Art supplies and a polaroid camera. It was a big hit.

Next to our camping spot, we caught a ferry to Venice. For the 5 of us, we paid 30 euros for a round trip boat ride.

This was our view as soon as we stepped off of the boat. All of our jaws dropped from the immediate beauty.

Venice is not one island but a series of hundred and something islands all connected by bridges.

All unique and it was hard not to take a photo on each one. Ha.

Since it was Ava’s special day, we didn’t hit up the usual must see spots but instead wandered around to do things she wanted to do.

Her must do of the day was to eat lasagna and that is exactly what she did. Yum.

And to use her new FujiFilm Instax polaroid camera.

Still developing but she chose to take her first polaroid of this quiet canal.

Next up? Gelato, of course.

A peek at the Grand Canal.

And to laugh at seagull on statue heads.

More photos on bridges. Can’t. Stop.

The best part of our full-time adventures is getting to watch our kids grow up. Hands down.

Time to catch the ferry back to our cam spot.

He’s trying to hold it together after walking 6 miles today.

Back in the van for a cake with candles. And when I say cake with candles, I mean, grocery store mystery pies with a matchstick. Ha. That’s all we could find today on a Sunday. Look at that smile. Ava didn’t care. We were all together and that’s all that matters.

And before I say bye, here is that polaroid fully developed. So beautiful, Ava!

Here’s the video Dan put together for our day in Venice. Enjoy!

Thanks for following along,
Marlene