Final Update!
July 4, 2024
We are so sad to say goodbye to our wonderful family that is Chamonix 3A!!! With tears and heavy hearts, we hugged out our last goodbyes in Charles De Gaulle and reluctantly returned to reality. We spent our last few days soaking in our final moments while reflecting on the spectacular memories that we made together in the greatest parts of Europe.
We spent our first night in Paris like locals. We fit right in during our sunset hangout in the Luxembourg Gardens prior to a wonderful dinner next door to the towering Pantheon. We laughed our way through a delicious meal that sampled French cheeses and breads while discussing what exciting experiences lay ahead of us.
After dinner, our group marveled at the surprise of a Seine river tour throughout downtown Paris. We learned a surprising amount about the architecture of our new home while taking in the olympic infrastructure that is slowly taking over the city. We can’t wait to notice the familiar sites as we watch the Paris olympics on the big screen!
We started our last day together with breakfast outside a cafe on a vibrant corner with a view of a beautiful fountain where many of us shared omelets and crepes – how French of us! From there, we walked ourselves around town with our first notable stop at Shakespeare and Co, where Kat really came alive. She informed us of the history and significance of the building and really bolstered our appreciation for something so unique and special!
When we finished our historical book tour, Simmons led our group across the river to Notre Dame. She kept us amused with her new hunchback running technique that had us bursting at the seams. It was a special moment getting to belly laugh in front of such an incredible monument while taking in the significance.
We were able to squeeze in a bit of shopping in the big city with the enthusiasm of Lizzie and Ophelia. They discovered some golden finds in local thrift stores, open air pop-ups, and unique boutiques. Their spoils were very Paris and helped them bring home some memories.
Lunch took us to the Tuileries Gardens just out front of the Louvre, where we enjoyed a scenic picnic. It was dreamy to munch on some baguette sandwiches with one of the world’s most famous museums staring us in the face! The gardens were beautiful and hosted us well as we cooled off our feet after so many miles of walking. Henry got deep in thought with a newly purchased book while soaking in some knowledge via osmosis next to the famous reflection pools in the garden. He shared some of his insight with us as we enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere.
Next our group loved the paintings and artifacts housed in the Musee Dorsay. We learned about realism, impressionism, and more as we witnessed the perfect Paris backdrop to these historical paintings. What a cool balance to our many adventures on this trip!
We built up quite the appetite after so many miles of exploration. Thanks to Bradford’s suggestion, we decided to enjoy some freshly made crepes along the banks of the city’s river. As Bradford devoured her 100th crepe of France, she reminded us of how special this experience really was through the taste of bananas and nutella.
That night’s dinner took us near the Eiffel Tower to a traditional French restaurant, where we enjoyed a delectable dinner. Crawford tried his first escargot, which accompanied his beef tartare. How appropriate – c’est manifique!!! After our main course cleared, Melina’s highly anticipated creme brulee captivated our taste buds as the perfect conclusion to dinner. These two kept our group in high spirits as they contextualized the significance of our final banquet dinner together. It was a very special moment that springboarded us into the rest of our final evening together!
We enjoyed one of the most unique moonup locations imaginable underneath the Eiffel Tower after a brief and energetic photo shoot. Bayley reeled us in one more time for a moment of gratitude as the Eiffel Tower illuminated and sparkled for all of the town to see. It was such a special moment, getting to watch our students’ eyes light up with a view of one of the world’s most recognizable monuments in its full glory! We shared favorite memories and sentiments for hours during this most special moonup that encapsulated how life changing this three week trip really was. We set intentions for how we plan to re-enter our daily lives, acknowledging how impactful this trip will be towards each of ourselves.
We left the Eiffel Tower with particularly full hearts to wrap up our final day together. Back in our hostel, we weren’t ready to say goodnight to each other. Naturally, Kamp whipped out our group’s travel guitar and memorialized our last few moments together with some all-too-familiar tunes that left us in a teary embrace. We made promises to keep in touch, visit each other, and to keep living our lives with proper intentions.
The following morning was a fever dream as we were forced to say goodbye to our new home and family. We reluctantly traveled to the airport and savored every final second together. Our final day fluctuated from bittersweet excitement to sorrowful nostalgia. The final goodbye was heartbreaking and revealing about how special our time spent together on this Moondance trip really was. As leaders, we could not ask for a better group of kids or a better trip. This was truly a once in a lifetime experience that we will cherish for the rest of our lives. As a group, we accomplished so much while growing to new, unimagined heights. The byproduct of this was an inclusive community built on a foundation of love that we will always share. We will hold our bonds and memories close to our hearts and will be forever grateful for the best trip imaginable. Thank you for sharing your children with us, we will treasure this time with them always!!
Pyrenees Adventure!
July 1, 2024
Hola and Bonjour from our confident and ever-so-capable group of successful mountaineers! We just arrived in Luz after an incredible journey through the Pyrenees mountains that has changed our lives forever. Our cheeks are sore from smiling so much, and our feet ache from the miles we’ve hiked in the best way possible. Every student has grown tremendously, elevating our group dynamics to new heights. We can’t imagine this experience without any member of our crew and are dreading the teary-eyed goodbye that looms all too near.
We wouldn’t have made it through our mountain trails without the incredible leadership of our daily LODs, the omnipresent guidance of our all-star mountain guide (Mandy), who served as a surrogate third leader, and the group’s cohesion at all times. Ophelia continued to lift our spirits on the trail with her joyful stories and jokes, while employing her finely-tuned French speaking skills to forge new friendships and guide us to our daily destinations. Melina became known as the group’s second mom, checking in on each person, lending a caring ear, and ensuring everyone wore sunscreen at all times. We spent the first four days trekking through French mountain passes, which left us sleeping heavily in memorable mountain hostels that housed wonderful groups of explorers like us. We went from falling asleep in yurts to the white noise of waterfalls on the first night, to waking up in our bunk rooms on the side of a mountain to the sound of cowbells on the third day – we are so lucky!!
Our days consisted of remarkably challenging elevations (often over 1,000 meters in either direction – we’ll let y’all make that conversion), matched with expansive 360-degree views that took our breath away. We enjoyed our diverse times on the trails with songs, dances, riddles, strangers, friends, cows, wildflowers, snow, river crossings, and introspection. We shared highs and lows while supporting each other in every way we knew possible. The endless mountain peaks increased our feelings of peacefulness despite the fatigue we felt during tough stretches of trail. Our lunch stops were straight out of a movie. We filled our water bottles in the turquoise streams that meandered through the valleys we called home during daylight.
On the final full day of trekking on the French side of the Pyrenees, we set out to find Europe’s tallest waterfall (besides Norway). It was beyond remarkable. We found ourselves in the curve of mountain rock known as Cirque de Gavarnie, surrounded by numerous waterfalls. Our eager kids scrambled up the rocks to get as close to the largest waterfall as possible. We felt the sharp, cold, refreshing spray to our bones, giving us collective bursts of energy, which we termed “loading”. This group never tires or lacks creativity! After being soaked to the core in glacier water, we basked in the sunshine for an hour on large nearby rocks. As we hiked down into the town of Gavarnie, we were greeted by a sunshower that our group welcomed, already completely wet and dancing in the rain. At the end of the day, we were warmly welcomed at our next hostel by a lively host who serenaded us as he brought out our food.
The next day, we finally approached the French/Spanish border. Before crossing, that day’s front-of-the-pack LOD, Bradford (taking a break from singing “Traveling Soldier” and giggling incessantly), led our group on a solo hike that marked the final leg of our French mountain itinerary. Here, we spread out and took a moment of silence and contemplation, using our time to appreciate and reflect on how incredible our trip had been up to that point, and set our intentions for the final week. This unique part of our trek gave us a huge momentum boost, and our crew celebrated at the high mountain pass where we regrouped. This pass marked the border between France and Spain. Here, Simmons straddled the country line with symbolic hops back and forth, commemorating the next chapter of our journey. She lifted our spirits with laughter and joy, capturing the moment on a GoPro video.
Our descent brought us into the Spanish valley, following winding river rapids fed by endless waterfalls cascading from melting snow above. On the second day of our Spanish trek, we stumbled upon the perfect swimming hole along the river, and our spontaneous group seized the wonderful opportunity! Lizzie found a spot for rock hopping and tirelessly led our crew off a safe perch with a view of our upcoming town. She never tired of jumping back in “just one more time.” After expending some energy, Kat led us in group downtime on the shore. She earned the nickname “rock lizard” as she soaked up the sun on the rocks lining the riverbanks, helping us absorb the mountain scenery while rejuvenating ourselves in one of the coolest spots imaginable!
We loved exploring the mountain towns we encountered, stocking up on memorable trinkets and indulging in delicious ice cream. We finally made Torla, Spain our home, spending a few nights in a charming hostel there. A welcoming local family ran the hostel and its accompanying restaurant, which we adored. We occupied the attic room spacious enough for our entire group. Each morning, we woke up to pleasant weather and world-class hikes. On the surrounding trails, Kamp engaged most of our group in discussions about the meaning of life, covering nearly every imaginable topic and inspiring others with insightful perspectives that greatly enriched our trip. These uplifting conversations distracted us from the uphill climbs until we reached a powerful waterfall in Ordesa Valley. Here, we enjoyed one of our final scenic views outdoors before turning back towards Torla.
Upon returning to town, our group had time to explore the area, enjoying local treats while marveling at the beautiful mountain peaks surrounding us. In Torla, we had one of our most scenic moonups at the base of a historic church. During this particularly memorable gathering, Bayley instilled a sense of appreciation in our group with wise words surrounding a Billy Joel quote, reminding us of the special gift of our time in the mountains and energizing us for our final nights together. Bayley’s thoughtfulness helped our group cherish our collective time and experiences.
During our nights in the delightful Torla hostel, Crawford and Henry kept our group thoroughly entertained with spooky stories in our bunkroom. These stories became part of our group lore, leaving us sore from belly laughs. Crawford and Henry’s comedic chemistry, combined with their seamless leadership styles, made for a fantastic final evening in the Pyrenees. They regaled us with the funniest, longest, and most absurd moonup debriefs of the trip. This moonup will go down in Moondance history books thanks to Crawford’s engaging humor and Henry’s witty sarcasm. They balanced their comedy with genuine compassion for the group, making us feel welcomed and heard.
This is a perfect reflection of our wonderful group of “life livers,” who consistently share love and intentional inclusivity. During our final hike in Spain, we collaborated on a summary poem that perfectly captures the dynamic of our trip, which has defined our three-week experience on a daily basis. As we train into Paris, Chamonix 3A is filled with full hearts, clear eyes, and a lingering sense of adventure that we will satisfy with our remaining days of exploration. We can’t believe the final leg of our trip is upon us and are determined to make the most of it! Stay tuned as we create our final memories together, with hearts full and smiles bright!
Hola from Costa Brava!!
June 24, 2024
Hola y como estas from Costa Brava in Spain!!! It took 2 buses and 2 trains, but we finally made it to our unique and gorgeous bungalow village to set up camp for the next 3 wonderful days. Over the past few days in Spain and throughout our entire trip, each student has had a clear moment of their lights shining through, which is so rewarding to witness as a leader. These awesome Moondancers are finding more and more ways to spread their lights to each other in an engaging and exciting manner. The sky’s the limit for this all-star crew! Nos vamos!!!
We began our time in Spain with a well-deserved rest day spent hanging on the beach. Here, we jumped in the Mediterranean Sea, where we splashed the salty water at each other, buried each other in the sand, and had an impromptu dance party for all onlookers to enjoy! Kamp, our group’s “walking radio”, led us with his smooth dance moves, introducing the group to his favorite reggae music. That day, Henry and Ophelia could be spotted like little ants exploring up & down the rocks (from a safe distance of course). Henry has encouraged the group to practice what we call “grounding” where we walk barefoot and soak in our beautiful surroundings with intention. Ophelia learned to take some breathtaking pictures on the rocky shoreline with Henry’s fancy camera and professional guidance.
The next day we woke up to Crawford spearheading a big, energizing breakfast. He went all out with hashbrowns, eggs, sausage, berries, orange juice, coffee, and chocolate milk! Crawford directed the meal’s zany presentation after cheffing up one of the best meals this group might have had. His balance between humor and leadership has been a wonderful contribution to our group. Needless to say, we were full & ready for our day of kayaking on a beautiful river.
After settling into our bungalow paradise, we mastered our double kayaks, racing, flipping, and navigating rapids. A couple of times, students could be found accidentally swerving into trees, which led to Kat and Rose befriending a snail named Mikel! They carried him all down the river and ultimately rescued him, landing back on the shore. They also led the group in setting a new Costa Brava record for how many students we could fit into a single kayak. The resulting laughter echoed off the banks of the river with glee. After the river the kids were ready for a second half of a super sunny beach day! Bradford and Simmons could be found tied at the hip, always being active in beach volleyball, soccer, gymnastics, and hacky sack. Baylee focused on getting the best tan of her life, earning her the designation as our group’s “ray of sunshine”. She is always so present and though she is not always the loudest voice in our group, she always has insight to offer at the wisest of times, which is accompanied by a gentle smile.
On our last day at Costa Brava we had the most fun of all. We hugged the coastline in single vessels, as we gazed upon the spanning cliffs that melted into the crystal clear coastal water that we patiently navigated. The water was so beautiful that we made a half-serious (if not ¾ serious!) pact that we would one day move there full-time so that we would never have to leave this unending beauty. The water was so clear that Stewart was able to spot some quarreling eels during a free dive. He had never seen something quite like this underwater and can’t seem to stop thinking about the colossal battle between the two aquatic creatures!
Throughout our time in the ocean, Lizzie came to life on the waves. Her beaming smile infected our entire group. She took her sweet time paddling along the coast, as to take it all in. She was never discouraged in the face of challenging tides. Rather, she was only joyful, even with the great distance between our wavy beach destinations. She pointed out different buildings and landmarks along the coast as the sun shined down on us.
That evening, we went to an outstanding cooking class at a local beachfront restaurant where Melina shined through as a natural kitchen queen. She cheffed it up with her rockstar vegetarian attitude and seasoned cooking skills. Under Melina’s guidance, we savored salmon tartar, charred pesto lettuce, tomato ciabatta, squid croquettes, calamari, and steaming hot caramel lava cake. Simply put, it was DELICIOUS!
We finished this unbeatable day with our final Moonup in Spain at an ancient castle on a cliffside along the sea that overlooked a spanning view of beautiful sea and land. The view was breathtaking and our students used the opportunity to truly open up to each other and go even deeper as a group after collecting ourselves with our gazes set to the distance. It’s moments like these with our wonderful group that make this trip so very special. We are feeling closer than ever and our hearts are continually welling up with love. This is a special group where at every moonup, our hearts only grow fonder and more open. The magic in these moments is palpable.
Before we departed, a small group of students chose to wake up early for the sunrise on our cove beach. We hiked up back to the castle and had the most vibrant view of the waking sky painted with orange, pink, purple, blue, and yellows. With jaws dropped to the sand, we shared music and also took a moment of silence to listen to the waves. After such a site, we could not resist taking a morning dip in the sea before heading back to camp to finish packing up for our travel day to the Pyrenees. We are beyond excited to head back to the mountains, where we belong, for our 7 day trek through France and Spain! This seasoned group of life livers is ready to embrace the all-to-familiar challenge of the European mountain ranges and we know that this experience will only grow us closer to each other – that’s hard to believe!!! We’re loading our packs with baguettes and charged up cameras to try and fully take in all of the beauty that we are about to encounter. Stay tuned for some of the best pictures you might have ever seen (extra shout out to Henry’s photography skills – you might see these on a magazine cover one day!).
Until next time, wish us “bon chance”!!!
-Stew and Rose
Shoutouts from the Kiddos!!
Kat – Hi, Momma! I miss you so so much and am dying with excitement to tell you all about my adventures. You’d just love it out here. I love you to the moon and back and cannot wait to tell you about the incredible views. I’ll see you soon!
Ophelia – Dear Mum and Dad, I’m not dead! Dad, I’m sorry for not being there or leaving a note for Father’s day. I love you so much. I’m having an amazing time and very vivid dreams which is really cool. The hikes are long and entirely worth it, I’ll see you guys soon, Love you both very much. My French is getting a lot stronger!
Melina – Hi Mom! I miss you so much but I am having the time of my life! I can’t wait to see you and tell you about all of the amazing memories I have made. I love you to the moon and back!
Lizzie – Hi Fam and Bear Rug!! I am having the best time with the best group, but I still miss you guys so much. The views have been incredible and the hikes have been hard but so fun. I can’t wait to tell you more about it soon! Love you all.
Bayley – Hi Mom and Dad! WOW! The views have been incredible and my group is amazing. We have come so far and climbed many mountains as we head into the Pyrenees today! See you soon. Say hi to C for me, I love you!
Simmons – Hey Mom and Dad, thank you so much for sending me on this amazing trip! I am having so much fun and can’t wait to tell you all about it.
Bradford – Hi mom and dad. I miss yall so much I am having alot of fun!! Can’t wait to get home to tell yall all about it! Tell taft I said good luck with baseball, and hi to M. love you see you soon!
Henry – dear mother and father, I am having lots of fun here and I hope to come back to and/or live in the Spanish town of Tamuru. Tell lili I love and miss her, and happy fathers day dad! Love you!
Kamp – Yo pops you and mom better do a trip over here it’s an amazing place and can’t wait to see more of it
Crawford – Dear Parentals, I am having a great time traversing many mountains with my new friends. We leave for the Pyrenees today and I can’t wait to tell you all about it. I miss y’all dearly
Bonjour from Chamonix!!!
June 19, 2024
Our group just returned from our section of the Tour du Mont Blanc and WOW what an amazing experience that was!!! This incredible group of Moondancers met each other less than a week ago and their positive transformation has been remarkable to witness. As a group, we have grown closer by the hour and already shared some tears as we said goodbye to our inspiring mountain guide who pushed us up steep inclines, guided us down winding switchbacks, explained the unique history of the area, and kept us laughing at all times.
Beginning with airport day, our group did not skip a beat. This exuberant crew swapped pleasantries on day one as we navigated the French and Switzerland train systems. Day one brought us to our preparation day as we geared up for our tour of the Mont Blanc route. Here, Simmons and Lizzie set an incredible example as our first Leaders of the Day. Simmons used her time as LOD to give each member of our group individual attention and support, while Lizzie enjoys pumping us up with a healthy dose of positivity at all times! They balanced humor and supportive inspiration well as a dynamic duo and each day’s subsequent LOD’s have followed suit seamlessly. Here, we discovered a local hike that ended at a local mountainside café where we devoured a well earned meal of local meats and cheeses, paired with crepes.
Day one of the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) welcomed us with a hefty challenge, which our group welcomed with open arms and a sweaty brow of determination. We spent the first few miles hiking through consistent rainfall on uphill dirt trails that quickly transformed into a path of packed snow. After strapping on our handy crampons, we ascended into a formidable cloud with joy in our hearts and group songs to help maintain the positivity. Keep an eye on Spotify for our Moondance-exclusive mountain songs, “snow in my boots.” Our group’s joyful positivity and smiles warmed our cold fingers and toes as we pushed to new heights – literally and figuratively.
After cresting the seemingly unending snow hill’s ridgeline, we found a sledding hill that launched our members down a chute towards our eager mountain guide who greeted our snowy selves with a chuckle and a grin. Each subsequent step took us towards greener pastures as we left the wet weather behind us in exchange for the most beautiful lunch spot imaginable. We enjoyed a personalized charcuterie board as we gazed upon the glaciers above us that were sprinkled with pink sand that settled here from the dunes of the Sahara (feel free to fact check us here – our guide was adamant that this was true).
Henry took this dry opportunity to begin his photography campaign as he captured breathtaking scene after scene on his professional-grade camera, which he paired with a podcast recording on a pocket microphone. Be sure to ask him about our group’s budding podcast. This very well could be the impetus to his future creative career. When we reached this night’s hostel, Bradford kept our group engaged with a mixture of scary mountain stories accompanied by jump-scares and jokes that she had a hard time finishing without busting at the seams with her own laughter.
The following days pushed our group physically and emotionally, which yielded closer bonds, better views, and deeper belly laughs. At any point in the day, our group could be found gazing up in awe, helping each other with packs, or giggling uncontrollably. Melina kept our group engaged with life advice, paired with lore from her days spent prior to our trip. Her stories spanned from gripping perspective to howling laughter – and it was always appreciated! Along the trail Bayley always reminded us to stop and take a moment of gratitude as she soaked in the views, the joy, the flowers, & the laughter. Rose led us multiple times in yoga to give us a much needed stretch and a peaceful centering on and off the trail. From the back of the pack you could always hear Stew’s booming laughter and stories abound. Students would circle back for deep meaningful convos & a sprinkle of Good Noise to keep their spirits high.
When our group kicked off the dirt from our boots at our third night’s hostel, Kamp surprised the group with an acoustic serenade after discovering a gut string guitar he found beckoning him from the common room. After a few renditions of John Denver and John Prine, we found folks from numerous nationalities joining us in the common room to bend their ear towards our impromptu American Moondance concert.
Our following day’s hike was nothing short of fantastic. This day’s trail beckoned us up a snowy hillside that led us to the border of Switzerland and France. We took an extended lunch break on this alpine field, watching looming paragliders and trail runners who all had a thirst for adventure – one that even rivals our group’s. We situated our group’s lunch circle half in France and half in Switzerland. Crawford flew a Georgia bulldogs flag on the border and graced our podcast listeners’ ears with a comical recount of his getting-to-know-you story with a group of local hikers. Be sure to ask him about his heroic rescue attempt of a busted can of sprite while in a crowded line for the bathroom.
Our last night on the trail, we ended up at our coolest hostel yet! Built in 1860, this gorgeous wooden building bordered a field of flowers with a peaceful creek cutting through. That night, our LOD’s, Kat and Ophelia, brought us to the hostel’s flower patch, where Ophelia had us bursting with laughter in Moonup during story time. Kat graced us with an Emily Dickinson quote about appreciating life that she beautifully contextualized within the Moondance “live in the moment” spirit. After a hearty meal of curry and local French bread, we situated ourselves in the bunk rooms of our final hostel, reluctant to say goodbye to this life changing day of trekking, though our sleep was sound and revitalizing.
On our final morning, we put the TMB in our rearview mirror as we descended the final meters of our hiking trail with endless conversation and some slightly sore feet. We used this day to restock on supplies, explore some of the Olympic construction in downtown Chamonix, and reflect on our many miles (or should we say kilometers) spent traversing the mountains of Italy, Switzerland, and France. After receiving diplomas from our beloved mountain guide, we gave him a teary eyed hug goodbye and enjoyed our final Moonup prior to departing for Spain.
Today, we are saying “au revoir” to the Alps and hola to the sandy beaches of Costa Brava! We will be trading out our hiking boots for bathing suits as we dust off our Spanish speaking skills and gear up for some sea kayaking adventures. Stay tuned for what’s to come!! We could not be more excited for what lies ahead for this awesome group of life livers. Until then, au revoir!!!
-Stew and Rose
Safe Arrival in Chamonix!
June 12, 2024
Hello Chamonix Families!
We heard from our leaders this morning that the group has landed safely in Paris and successfully transferred to Chamonix! 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 the TMB!
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
