Bonsoir from the city of love!
June 27, 2024
Today is our first full day in Paris and the last day of the trip, so we have a jam-packed day ahead of us! We woke up to a typical Parisian breakfast of coffee and flaky croissants, and the buzz about the day was electric. After nearly three weeks in the mountains, we were teeming with excitement about our city day!
As we left our hostel this morning, we headed straight to the Notre Dame Cathedral and then followed the Seine River to the Louvre. Along the way, the aroma of freshly baked croissants drifted from nearby boulangeries, mingling with the fragrance of blooming flowers from quaint balconies and scenic streets. Every corner in Paris reveals a piece of history, and these old cobblestone streets were a testament to that. As we wandered around the courtyard at the Louvre, Baxter and Hayes admired how intricate the details were on each of the hundred statues, while Sophie, Ella, and Abby tried to capture pictures of them holding the iconic glass pyramid in their hands! After roaming around, we decided to stop in at an authentic Italian restaurant and grab a couple of pizzas!
After lunch, we went to the Lego store, and if you know Hayes, then you can only imagine how excited he was! His excitement was contagious, and the whole group basically sped-walked a mile to see Parisian monuments like the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe made entirely out of Legos! Sophie and Taylor played Connect Four with Legos, while Ellery, Britton, and Hayes decided to buy a mystery box with little Lego people, each of them receiving a unique and quirky figurine! Before they left the store, they made sure to snag some Star Wars hats, which they proudly wore for the rest of the day. After having our fun in the Lego store, we went to Zara to get some drippy European outfits for our last dinner. Gordon and Thomas got linen collared shirts and fit right in with the French guys, while Charlotte, Abby, Sophie, and Ella rummaged through clothing racks to find the perfect dresses. Our look wouldn’t have been complete without accessories, so we went by Sephora where Thomas smelled every cologne imaginable and the girls bought some last-minute face masks. Afterwards, we went to a shoe store where Baxter got a fresh pair of kicks for his banquet outfit. After a long day of shopping, there was only one thing left on our bucket list… CROISSANT COOKIES! I had been dreaming about them for three weeks, and we did in fact walk another two miles just to see what the hype was about. When we walked into the original croissant cookie cafe, you could hear the clinking of coffee cups with freshly brewed coffee and the chatter of locals. We sat down and immediately ordered lemonades, coffees, and of course, the long-awaited croissant cookie. Let’s just say it may have been the best dessert I’ve ever had (other than the lava cake at our cooking class)! After filling up our bellies with pastries, we hopped on the metro back to our hostel to get ready for the night!
The other night at Moonup, Charlotte mentioned that she would miss getting ready altogether with the girls, so they made sure to make a moment out of their last time getting ready! As they showered, freshened up, and put on their Paris fits, the energy in the room was high! After everyone had on their quintessential European outfits, we had a fashion show to strut our new purchases before heading to dinner. Dinner consisted of homemade pastas and pizzas alongside some bubbly water.
After dinner, the sun began to drift behind the horizon, and we decided to head over to the Eiffel Tower for sunset! The sky turned into a canvas of colors with the iconic Eiffel Tower standing out amongst all other things! As we got closer, we could see that they hung up the Olympic rings in the center of the tower to prepare for the upcoming summer games. We took our fair share of pictures and selfies, and Ellery and Britton even ran into a girl from their school! Afterwards, we found a nice spot in the grass where we decided to have our final Moonup.
Moonup tonight was led by Sophie and Abby, and we went around and gave every single person compliments. Each student so gracefully and intentionally described their favorite qualities about one another that it had most of us choking up with tears. As nice words continued to fly around the circle, I thought about how special this group is and how close we’ve gotten over the past three weeks.
After a sentimental Moonup, we ended with a group hug where we held each other tight and clung to the words of affirmation that filled our cups with joy. As the Eiffel Tower drifted into the distance, we all walked side by side, and I couldn’t help but think of all the incredible memories and moments that have bloomed on this trip. As we all went back to our rooms, Nate and I fell asleep to the sounds of the group laughing and basking in their last night together.
As the time comes to bid farewell, we feel a bittersweet mixture of fondness and reluctance to part ways. We have forged deep connections and shared unforgettable experiences over the past three weeks, creating a bond that feels like family. There’s a sense of camaraderie and understanding that transcends mere friendship, rooted in shared laughter, moments of spontaneity and silliness, and the achievement of trekking 12 days through the gorgeous but challenging terrain of the Pyrenees and Tour de Mont Blanc.
Saying goodbye is not easy; it’s accompanied by heartfelt hugs, promises to stay in touch, and a lingering sense of gratitude for the time spent together. As we watched the kids walk through security, Nate and I were reminded of how lucky we are to have something so good that it makes saying goodbye so hard.
Parents, thank you for trusting us with your kids for three weeks in Chamonix. I can’t wait for them to tell you all the stories and show you all of the incredible pictures!
Kids, thank you for making this trip an unforgettable experience and for keeping Nate and me young and goofy! Y’all hold such a special place in our hearts, and we can’t wait to stay in touch! Don’t be strangers!
With love,
Taylor and Nate
A Journey Through the Tour du Mont Blanc!
June 25, 2024
6/20
Good morning from Chamonix! We woke up in the Alps feeling great. We got a few things sorted in the morning before sitting down to a big breakfast to fuel us for the day ahead. Due to weather conditions in the mountains, we had to adjust our route a bit, but it all worked out better than we could have imagined! Our Leaders of the Day (LODs), Gordon and Ella, started our day with a morning huddle and gave us our game-plan. We took a train about 30 minutes outside of Chamonix and enjoyed a beautiful day hike in the valley, passing through meadows filled with wildflowers and forests beneath immense peaks. Despite the clouds, we caught beautiful glimpses of the mountains we’ll be hiking over the next 5 days.
For lunch, we stopped at a remote mountain hut to eat and laugh, sheltered from the rain. Hayes and Thomas amazed us with their very impressive Tech Deck skills! After lunch, Britton, Ellery, and Sophie found an extraordinary number of four-leaf clovers in one spot – lots of good luck! We hiked down to a nearby train station in the afternoon and returned to Chamonix to explore the vibrant mountain town. We enjoyed the best gelato of the trip and browsed through different stores in the town center. Of course, we couldn’t resist indulging in freshly made crepes before heading to our hostel in Switzerland for the night. We had a luxurious dinner overlooking snow-covered peaks and finished the night with an uplifting moonup. Tomorrow, the first day on the Tour du Mont Blanc!
6/21
Another day in paradise! We woke up to what everyone agreed was our best breakfast yet. We enjoyed delicious coffee, juice, granola, sliced meats and cheeses, and toast with jam. After breakfast, Nate went to the store for our lunch supplies while everyone prepped their packs for our hike. Britton and Ella initiated some great trail talk as soon as we hit the trail! The morning was pretty relaxed until we reached our lunch spot, which had a ZIPLINE! We all had a fantastic lunch and a sweet treat for dessert, as always. Sophie bravely tried out the zipline first, and soon everyone joined in the fun. Charlotte gifted one of her extremely well-crafted friendship bracelets to Ellery, and before we knew it, we were back on the trail.
We hiked through a quaint old village with houses dating back to the early 1600s! The highlight of our afternoon was the steep uphill section, led by Thomas and Gordon at the front of the pack. We arrived at our hostel in the late afternoon, and everyone enjoyed a well-deserved hot shower. We explored the small town of Champex Lac and picked up snacks from a local market. We gathered for a hearty dinner of salad and fondue, trying a local cheese that was absolutely delicious! LODs Abby and Baxter led us in a fantastic moonup filled with laughter and incredible life stories. Another wonderful day in the Alps came to an end, and we rested up for our next adventure.
6/22
Hello from another great day in the Swiss Alps! Today started with fog swirling over jagged mountain tops and a slight breeze from the north. We faced another challenging day on the Tour du Mont Blanc, with over 2,000 feet of elevation gain as we trekked upwards through streams and glacial melt. Britton crossed the river with grace, showing everyone how it’s done! After a long uphill journey, we stopped at a beautiful Refugio nestled high in the clouds. As the group unpacked our lunch, Nate and I surprised everyone with slices of homemade cake from the Refugio! We tasted carrot cake, apple crumble, chocolate cake, and pound cake, reflecting on the day and marveling at the many uphill miles we had conquered.
After a filling lunch, Hayes and Thomas pulled out their Tech Decks and shredded with a view, while Charlotte worked on yet another amazing friendship bracelet! The rest of the day consisted of a relaxed downhill descent through a rainforest, where most of us slid through the mud like we were on skates. Later, we settled into our hostel and enjoyed a delicious curry dinner – Indian food had been on everyone’s minds since day one, so this was a huge hit. After dinner, we gathered in the community room where Baxter and Taylor played guitar, Hayes, Thomas, Ellery, and Gordon attempted a four-way chair (after many tries), and Sophie, Ella, and Abby relaxed on the couch and soaked it all in. Tonight’s vibe was peaceful and serene, reminding us to slow down and enjoy each other’s company.
6/23
Good morning from our last day in Switzerland! After a late night of fun, we got to sleep in the latest yet (7:45 am)! We woke up well-rested and rolled out of bed in our PJs for breakfast. Everyone at our hostel was up early, so we enjoyed a quiet breakfast while watching other hikers lace up their boots and head out. After a hearty breakfast, we followed suit and slowly got ready for the day. The first few miles of our hike were a steady downhill, but we soon faced a 3,300-foot elevation gain before lunch. Hayes, Thomas, Gordon, and Sophie led the uphill trek, and although it was challenging, we traversed snow patches, rocky terrain, streams, and enjoyed epic views.
As we reached the top of the pass and crossed the border from Switzerland into France, gusting winds and dense fog greeted us. We layered up in rain pants, jackets, fleece jackets, mittens, and hats before descending to our lunch spot. Lunch today was outstanding – epic Italian sandwiches with an American twist (pickles!), and of course, Coke and Snickers too! After refueling, we continued our descent through the rainforest until reaching our hostel. After a long and challenging day, we kicked off our hiking boots and socks and relaxed in comfy reclining chairs. We spent a couple of hours outside, soaking up the sunshine and appreciating all the hard work we had put in. Dinner was perhaps our best yet – lamb, roast, green beans, scalloped potatoes, baguettes, soup, and cake!
After dinner, we had moonup where we shared embarrassing stories and had some serious silliness before bedtime. We headed to a large parking lot across the street and played games like Big Booty (Hayes will tell you about it), Barnyard (ask Baxter and Abby about their sheep noises), and had a competitive riff-off! We ended with a sentimental game called “Tap Someone Who,” where Nate and I called out prompts like “tap someone who makes you laugh, is kind, is a leader,” and two students walked around tapping people who matched the prompts. As leaders, Nate and I watched the girls skip off together with their arms around each other and the boys huddled together too! It’s incredible how close this group has become in the past three weeks, and tonight was a testament to that bond.
6/24
Last day on the TMB 🙁
We woke up to beautiful sunshine streaming through the window this morning – such a gorgeous day! We had an amazing breakfast, and Ellery was thrilled to finally see freshly baked croissants again. Hayes, of course, had his daily serving of Nutella! We packed our bags for our final hike of the trip, amazed by the views and feeling euphoric. We took lots of pictures (thanks to Baxter for being the girls’ photographer!) and laughed as we reminisced about our entire trip and all the memories we’ve made.
We made it to the train station and took a short ride into Chamonix. Everyone dropped off their packs at our hostel and enjoyed the best town day in beautiful Chamonix! We started with a delicious picnic in a park for lunch, surrounded by amazing views, good music, and unbeatable vibes. We explored the city, did some shopping for souvenirs and gifts, and indulged in a sweet treat! After a long afternoon, we returned to the hostel for some rest before dinner. Dinner was at the coolest burger joint ever, followed by dessert at our favorite gelato spot, and an evening stroll to walk it all off. We found a great spot for moonup under a breathtaking sunset behind the mountains, led by our LODs Charlotte and Baxter.
As our journey on the Tour du Mont Blanc comes to a close, there’s a bittersweet air among us, filled with laughter and reflection. These past weeks have woven us together like family, with each memory etched in the breathtaking landscapes and shared moments of joy and challenge. From misty mornings in the Alps to heartwarming moonups under night skies, we’ve grown closer with each step of this adventure. Today, as we wander through Chamonix one last time, it’s clear that this journey has forged lasting connections among us. We’re not just a group anymore; we’re a tight-knit team, bonded by shared experiences and genuine friendships. While our time in the Alps may be ending, these are the memories we will daydream about, holding each other tight for the last few days! See you soon, Paris!!
-Nate and Taylor
Adventures in Costa Brava!
June 19, 2024
Day 11
Welcome back!
Today, we woke up to the familiar faces of Aiden and Sian, our warm and friendly hosts in Luz. They whipped up some of their famous cappuccinos and espressos as we munched on flaky croissants and fruit. After fueling up, we finished packing our bags and got ready for a lengthy travel day to Costa Brava. On the bus, we played lots of card games and puzzles from Sophie’s book, ate classic gas station snacks, listened to our favorite songs, and, of course, slept! After a couple of hours, we crossed the French border and arrived at the coast of Spain, where we were immediately greeted with warm sunshine and the scent of salty air! After settling into our new accommodation, we had moonup where Baxter played guitar and sang for the group! The sun finally set around 10:30 pm, and we followed closely behind!
Day 12
This morning, we woke up to a little taste of home! After many French breakfasts, Nate and I decided to cook up a good old-fashioned American breakfast for our crew since we finally had our own stove! The kids slept in the latest yet and filled their plates with dense breakfast burritos filled with eggs, potato and onion hash, bacon, and sriracha for those that dared to add some spice! Gordon was a huge help this morning with the stove and cooked the bacon to perfection while the rest of the group was on clean-up duty. After a slow morning and full bellies, we strolled over to the beach for the day! The water was a calm teal blue, there wasn’t a single cloud in the sky, and the water was the perfect temperature to cool us off! Thomas, Baxter, Gordon, and Hayes enjoyed milkshakes by the snack shack, and the girls soaked up every drop of sunshine the sky had to offer. Ellery, Sophie, and Thomas also played volleyball in the water. After spending all day in the sun, we headed back to camp to shower and get cleaned up before dinner. We dined at a beachside Italian restaurant where we shared delicious brick oven pizzas and lasagna! After dinner, we stopped by a local gelateria with 50+ flavors for us to try! The lemon, mango, and strawberry sorbets were a hit, but nothing beats the Smurf-flavored ice cream that Hayes tried! Abby and Ella even went back for seconds! After dessert, we headed to the beach to play Nate and my favorite game, “Don’t Touch My Rock!”
After getting all of our silliness out, we gathered for moonup to reflect on the day. Tonight’s moonup was led by Ella and Ellery and was a big development moment in the course of our trip. Tonight’s question was, “What’s something you struggle with that other people might not know about?” As a group, we shared our vulnerabilities and felt a weight lift off our shoulders as we leaned on each other. Nate and I were immensely impressed by how these teenagers articulated their feelings and opinions and shared them in a genuine and heartfelt way. These kids continue to surprise us with their perspective and maturity, and we look forward to more thought-provoking conversations throughout the back half of our trip. Our group feels closer than ever, and these ten kids are feeling more and more like family.
Day 13
We woke up in paradise to another day of beautiful weather! We had an early morning to eat a good breakfast of croissants, fruit, toast, and Hayes’s absolute favorite: chocolate cereal! After breakfast, we walked down to the beach for our first day of sea kayaking! We got our gear, loaded into our boats, and we were off! We explored different caves and cliffs along the coast and stopped at a nice little private beach for lunch! After lunch, Taylor, Abby, Charlotte, and Ella all laid down and took a nap in the sun! Thomas and Gordon had a competition with our guide to see who could build the highest rock stack (our guide won lol)! The wind picked up after lunch, and the water got a little choppy, so the guide gave the group the option to ride back in the motorboat if anyone wanted to. Most of the group decided to head back, but Ellery, Charlotte, Baxter, Thomas, and Nate decided to brave the wind and water and had an EPIC paddle back to our beach! We all came back to camp, showered, and got ready for our cooking class, which was one of the most incredible meals we have ever had!!! Sophie and Hayes fixed up an incredible salmon tartare with guacamole, Thomas was in charge of the paella, Britton and Abby made an incredible mini grilled salad dish with pesto, parmesan, and roasted corn, and the chef brought out so much more food when it was time to sit down and eat! Everyone played a part in this phenomenal meal, and it was an absolute blast! We sat at the table for literally 30 minutes because we were so stuffed we couldn’t move until we mustered up the energy to head down to the beach for moonup to wrap up another amazing day in Costa Brava!
Day 14
Good morning from our last day in Spain! What a joy it is to be able to soak up the sun and have the absolute best weather for our time at the beach! Today, we went to one of the most beautiful beaches we’ve ever seen for our second day of sea kayaking. The beach was nestled in a little cove with beautiful white houses piled high onto the hillside and the clearest water you’ve ever seen! We hopped into our kayaks with Gordon and Ellery leading the way and began to explore the hidden caves alongside the crashing waves. One of the caves, the biggest cave in all of Costa Brava, had a current running through it and a turnaround spot that felt like a water slide! Once we got to the back of the cave, our guide, Marcello, turned off his flashlight, and we experienced true darkness! After exploring the caves, we found a secluded pebbled beach and enjoyed an Italian sandwich with chips crushed on top (duh!) and then washed it down with the best lemonade we’ve ever had!
Thomas went with the guides to snorkel and explore the nearby ocean life while Britton and Ellery found a cool spot in the shade. Abby, Sophie, Charlotte, Ella, and Taylor all lathered up in sunscreen and laid out on the rocky dock that bordered the sea. Nate was on aux, playing some serotonin-boosting sounds while the rest of us soaked it all in. As we all looked out onto the Mediterranean, it was one of those moments where you almost had to pinch yourself to make sure it was real life! How lucky are we that our Monday was filled with an epic seaside adventure on the coast of Spain with our incredible group. Eventually, we departed our little beach and made the strenuous paddle back to our starting point. After working up an appetite, we decided to cook up some fajitas and tacos back at camp. Gordon, Thomas, and Hayes prepped the chicken; Baxter was on rice duty; Abby and Ella made a fruit bowl; Britton and Sophie made homemade guac. Together, we cooked, bopped our heads to house music, and taste-tested every dish before it was even close to ready!
Afterward, we sat down for a family meal and laughed about the crazy day we’d shared. Finally, we had moonup led by Charlotte and Thomas, where we described our unrealistic dream houses. Thomas decided he wanted a castle and had us all laughing as he described each room. Another highlight was Abby’s cloud house and Baxter’s villain lair. Afterward, we closed moonup with Baxter on guitar and the rest of us singing “I Remember” by Zach Bryan.
What an absolutely beautiful and restful time we’ve had in Costa Brava! The weather was perfect, and the relaxation was much needed! After soaking up the rays on the beach, cooking meals together, and bonding over music, our group thoroughly enjoyed our time in Costa Brava! Morale is high as we head into our last trekking section, and it feels like time is slipping through our fingers! As our group has bonded more and more, it seems time is passing faster than we would like! As we trade our bathing suits for hiking boots and head into our trekking section, we are reminded of a quote from Theodore Roosevelt:
“Nothing in this world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, and difficulty.”
Although we know the Tour de Mont Blanc will challenge us, we welcome the growth both physically and mentally that comes from overcoming obstacles as a group.
Nate and I couldn’t be prouder of this group and the ways that we’ve seen growth both at the individual and group level. We sure are lucky to have this group of rockstars and are holding on tight to the time we have left with them!
Till next time!
Also since we are halfway through the trip, everyone wanted to say hey and shout out their parents!
Shout outs!!
Bonjour Mother and Father! Missin’ you guys and hope things are going swell! Views here have been so rad and I love these mountains! Always lookin forward to a home cooked meal in a couple of months! Till then, peace and love! -NATE!!!!!!
Hey mom and dad!! Miss y’all so much and just wanted to say thank you for encouraging me to be spontaneous and choose to lead for moondance year after year! This has been a one of a kind trip and I’m just filled with gratitude to be here! Love yall! -Taylor
Hey mom and dad! Say hi to sofi, livi and moj for me. I miss y’all so much but am having soooo much fun. Can’t wait to tell y’all all about it! I love you!! Love, Ella
Hey mom and dad! I love you guys so much, and I am having lots of fun here in France and Spain! Tell the cats I miss them! I can’t wait to tell you about this trip and also happy late Father’s Day!
Love Ellery!!!
Hi Mom and Dad!! Miss you all and cannot wait to see you guys soon. I am having an amazing time here in France and Spain though! I can’t wait to tell you all about it. Tell Lindsay that I know she is going to have the best time at camp and tell Pop I’m excited to see him!
Love you, Sophie
Hi Mom and Dad!! I miss you and I can’t wait to tell you about this trip, it’s been a ton of fun! Tell Conrad and the other animals I love them and that I’ll bring treats. Happy late Father’s Day, dad is the bestest! Anywho, I love and miss you all and see you soon with lots of stories 🙂 Love ya, Britton
Hi Mom and Daniel!!!! I am having so much fun here in Spain and France, the views and company are amazing. I miss y’all so so much and cannot wait to see you soon !! Tell Riley Brynn Ethan and Carter I love them too! And tell my friends!! I cannot wait to tell you all about the trip!
I love y’all so much, Abby
Hi Mom, Dad, and Mills! Having a great time here and getting to use my French a lot! Tell Jack I said I told you so when he comes back having loved his trip and tell wood I say hi. Also take Rebel on a walk and swim with Lizzie for me! Hope everything is good and Jack didn’t get sent home!
Miss you, Charlotte
Hey Mom and Whit! Had a bunch of fun hiking in France. Beaches in Spain were a nice break. Missing you guys lots.
Love yall, Gordon
Hi Mom and dad, I am having lots of fun in France and Spain and can’t wait to tell everyone about my trip. I am excited for the lake house when I get back! Make sure to tell Evie I miss her and will be back soon! P.S. Happy late Father’s Day Dad! Love you all! – Hayes
Hi mom and dad, I’m having fun in France and Spain and can’t wait to tell you about what I’ve done and seen, love y’all-Thomas
Hey mom and dad, the Pyrenees and Costa Brava have been such wonderful experiences that is whole reason I am doing this trip, for the experience. The mountains are unreal and I can’t wait to tell you all about it. I hope you all are doing well and the dogs are having fun while I’m away. Love you! – Baxter
Journey to the Pyrenees!
June 14, 2024
Day 2:
Bonjour and welcome to France!! The day started out bright and early with Sophie, Ellery (HAPPY BIRTHDAY), and Britton landing first at CDG airport! Once the rest of the group rolled in shortly after, we started our journey to the Pyrenees!! We took the metro into Paris and walked about 15 min through downtown to get to our next train stop! Thomas and Gordon showed off their strength and some great EB by carrying our HUGE group duffel bag the whole way to the airport! We arrived at the train station and all sat down with our luggage and ate what might have been some of the best sandwiches (from a train stop) that we’ve ever had! We took the 5hr train from Paris to Luz and caught up on some much needed sleep. Abby and Ella had a blast trying out all the different French snacks we got for the group for the train ride! Their favorite being these chocolate covered crunch waffle crackers! Once we arrived to our hotel in Luz, everyone relaxed for just a little bit before dinner! The group met up with Nate at park in town for a SURPRISE birthday dinner party for Ellery! We had delicious pizza (Shoutout to Charlotte and Hayes for cutting that up for us) and cake from a local bakery in town! Gordon made sure to pass out all the party hats because what’s a party without a good colorful hat? We had our first moonup surrounded by the mountain that we will soon be trekking in and walked back to the hotel for some much needed R&R!
Day 3:
This morning we woke up to the smell of buttered croissants and piping hot espresso, alongside a view of the Pyrenees mountains. We had a slow and restful morning just taking in the view and clearing away the jet-lag. After breakfast, our LODs, Ella and Baxter, led us in a morning huddle where they went over our game plan for the day. The town we stayed in is nestled in a valley, and at the foothills rests a castle. We decided that in order to take in all the deep history of the town, we would hike to the top of the castle. Thomas and Gordon led the way and when we got to the top, the view opened up so we could see the entire town. Abby, Ellery, and Sophie decided to name the town La Petit Formage for no other reason than it is our current favorite French words. After soaking in the views, we headed back down to the valley and explored a church from 1150. We entered the church in complete silence and in awe of the architecture and preservation. After our historic tour of the town, we wandered through various shops including butcheries, fromages and outdoors stores before trying out the best burger place in town.
For the rest of the afternoon, we prepped for our trekking section through the Pyrenees mountains. Nate taught the group how to duffle shuffle and we successfully packed our backpacks for the entire seven day trek. For the rest of the afternoon, Ellery and Sophie spearheaded a friendship making bracelet party where even Hayes tried his hand at making one while Baxter played a little guitar. We finished the night with pizza and a friendly, but competitive, game of family feud before we all huddled together for Moonup. At Moonup, ate and I really started to see the group open up as they answered the question ” what is a favor someone did for you that has had a significance to you?”.
This group continues to laugh and bond and we couldn’t be more excited heading into the trekking section of our trip.
Day 4:
Today was our first day of hiking in the Pyrenees and it was absolutely breathtaking (in more ways than one lol)!!! But seriously, the views were absolutely incredible! We started our morning off with an exceptional breakfast of freshly baked croissants, yogurt and granola, and Charlotte’s favorite fresh espresso & coffee! After breakfast everyone did some last minute organizing and got our packs ready to go! We hopped in 2 vans and drove around 20min to the trailhead where we started our 7 day trek! Ellery and Thomas were our LOD’s for the day and got the group hyped up for a BIG day! We had great conversation on the trail and Hayes kept us laughing with his various terminology of the word “stoked”! Today was a bigggg uphill day and everyone killed it! We had lunch in such a beautiful valley surrounded by huge mountains! Abby and Ella made sure to run around and have a photo shoot for everyone since the background was too good not to! Shout out to Taylor for making everyone the best dang sandwiches this side of the Mississippi for lunch! Gordon and Baxter did a complete cold plunge in the creek next to our lunch spot in freezing cold water from snow melting in the high mountain! We finally arrived to our hostel, took some much needed showers, and sat down for an amazing pasta dinner with chocolate moose for dinner! Sophie had her side of the table cracking up to her many stories! We finished the day with moon up and a few more laughs to cap the night off!
Day 5:
Day two in the Pyrenees, and what could be better than this?? Last night we fell asleep to the rain pitter pattering against the roof of our refuge and woke up to the fog rolling over the mountain side. We had a marvelous breakfast of pumpkin bread and some of the best coffee Baxter said he has ever had. We suited up for the day in our rain jackets and began a mystical hike through the fog that reminded us of a storybook from our childhood. We then began to descend into a quaint mountain town were we were able to refill our supplies before heading back up the mountain. For the rest of the afternoon we hiked upward through the forest and past waterfalls before finding the best lunch spot yet. As soon as we got out of the forest, there was a perfect clearing for all of us to eat lunch together and enjoy the view. Nate and Thomas made a food blog where they rated todays sandwich a 10/10, and the rest of us definitely agreed. After lunch we continued to ascend over the ridge line where we had the most fairytale like view yet. Fog continued to plow down the mountainside, but that didn’t stop us from prancing around on the luscious grass and skipping our way to the Refugio. Once we arrived we settled into our comfy clothes, played cards, drank hot chocolate and attempted many puzzles from Sophie’s book. After dinner we had Moonup where Hayes told the most hilarious nut jug story yet. Stay tuned for day three in the picturesque Pyrenees.
Day 6:
Bonjour!!! We woke up to a chilly Pyrenean morning in the clouds! Despite the fog the views are ALWAYS absolutely stunning! We had a typical French breakfast of coffee, toast, jam, and cereal! Our LODs for the day, Gordon and Abby, kicked off our day with morning huddle and made sure the group got ready in time and was out the door and on the trail! Sophie and Ella serenaded the group their rendition of.. um, I’m not actually sure if it was a real song but they were groovin so we were groovin! Hayes and Baxter made sure to capture the many sheep and cow crossing across the trail throughout the morning on their GoPros! Today was the biggest trekking day we have had so far! We hiked to the Cirque De Gavarnie which is where the highest waterfall in all of France is at 432 meters!!!! It was absolutely incredible! We dropped our packs and hiked right up next to the falls, getting soaking wet from the splash! It was an exhilarating experience and made for some pretty sweet pictures. We tried to “shoe ski” on the way down on the remaining snow covering the hike up to the waterfall! Charlotte was arguable the most graceful shoe skier of the group! We trekked the rest of the way to the town of Gavarnie and enjoyed a delicious dinner of salad, pasta, and trout! After another amazing moonup we stayed up and told stories until it was time for bed! Another great day in the Pyrenees!
Day 7:
Good morning from Gavarnie! This morning we woke up to Christoff singing and dancing as he made us an authentic French breakfast. Because we have a big day ahead of us, we loaded up on all the carbs and made sure not to leave any crumbs! As we trekked towards the Spanish border and left France behind us, we were surrounded by rough and rocky mountains on both sides and were joined by sheep and mountain beasts (marmots). The views on this hike were some of the best yet and left us in awe the whole time. For lunch, we stopped at one of Napoleon’s huts that used to be used to protect the border and overlooked the whole valley. Thomas and Gordon cut up some chorizo and French sausage while the rest of us refueled with pasta. After lunch, it was time to lock in and head up the French pass into Spain. Staring up at the pass was daunting, and undoubtedly the steepest challenged we had faced yet. With determination and grit, Abby and Ella led the pack. Slowly, but surely we made it to the top over steep terrain and snow capped edges. As the cold wind whipped at our faces, we took in our extreme environment and grandiose views with smiles all around. After we descended into Spain, we took in the sunshine and skipped our way down the mountain. At around 3pm, we did as the Spanish do and enjoyed a second midday lunch. However, as Americans do, we made sure that lunch was a hearty hamburger with fries and a good ole fashioned cocoa cola! A big day for the home team, but one that might have been our favorite yet!
Day 8:
Rest and recovery is the name of the game! After a big day yesterday, we had a huge breakfast buffet and slow morning. Our bodies were definitely feeling the effects of yesterdays accomplishments so we decided to take it nice and slow today with a flat six mile path to our next Refugio. We trekked next to crystal clear water for the whole hike and admired the canyon walls around us which Abby said reminded her of the Grand Canyon. We continued to hydrate and fell our bodies and made sure we would be in good shape for tomorrow!
Day 9:
Today was our biggest day on the trail thus far and it was a goooood one! We were up just before the sun to get the day started! We got ready for our hike and made our way down to breakfast. Gordon was excited to see coco pebbles as an option! Ellery and Hayes started our breakfast off by leading us in morning huddle! We all fueled up on some coffee, toast, and cereal before catching a taxi from our hostel to the trail head! We started on the trail before most people with a chilly start to our hike! Britton and Sophie kept conversation fresh for most of the morning and always had a new fun question to ask! We were treated to a beautiful overlook after finishing the big beginning uphill portion of our trek! Abby made sure to snap pictures of everyone in the group with the gorgeous view in the background and after a short break to take in the views we were back on the trail! We stopped for lunch a few hours later by a picturesque waterfall in a valley surrounded by huge rock faces and mountains! After we ate, most of the group took a nice little nap in the grass and bathed in the sun! Thomas had too much energy for a nap and went around climbing different boulders around our lunch spot haha! We made the long hike back to our hostel and showered up in prep for dinner which was absolutely delicious! We finished the night with a great moonup in the courtyard by our hostel and went in for some rest!
Day 10:
As our journey through the Pyrenees draws to a close, the bond within our group feels stronger than ever. From shared laughs over breakfast to conquering challenging trails, each day has woven us closer together. Whether it’s Abby and Ella keeping conversations lively, Ellery capturing moments with her camera, Charlottes clever and quirky jokes during dinner and moonup, Britton’s contagious smile even during the hardest of hikes, Baxter’s hilarious one liners, Thomas’s stellar attitude, Sophie’s wild stories, Hayes keeping the group rolling with laughter in every situation, and Gordon’s relaxed presence and keeping everyone composed, every member contributes to the vibrant tapestry of our adventure. As we gather for moonup tonight, the camaraderie and joy shared among us affirm that this journey isn’t just about the destinations we’ve reached, but the memories we’ve created together. As we say bye to the Pyrenees mountains, our hearts are filled with joy and gratitude.
Up next, sunny costa brava😎
Luz Here They Come - Day 1!
June 6, 2024
Hello Chamonix Families!
We heard from our leaders this morning that the group has landed safely in Paris and begun their transfer day to Luz! The trip is off to a great start, and we cannot wait to hear more stories from their adventure as they prepare to begin trekking in the Pyrenees!
Please remember our leaders and students will be unplugged during their trips, but we will be posting trip updates throughout the next week! This will allow you to follow along with the trip. You can also follow us on Instagram, @moondanceadventures, to see more of what we are up to!
-Moondance HQ
