From Mountain Peaks To Venetian Streets
June 19, 2025
What a trip. WOW. We are both in awe of your incredible children and feel beyond grateful to have spent the past two weeks with them. This group is something really special; each student brought their own unique, amazing personality that blended together seamlessly. Our last few days together were so special as we cherished the last moments together. At Moonup last night we all agreed that some of our biggest laughs and favorite memories came from the final days of the trip. Picking up where we last left off…
On Monday morning, day 11, we ate a yummy breakfast at Rifugio Tissi and said goodbye to our mountain oasis to hike down the mountain. This Rifugio was definitely a favorite of the group. We were joined by other hut-to-hut hikers, making the experience feel especially authentic and removed from civilization. Our final day of trekking felt bittersweet. LOD’s David and Louise led the way, making fun jokes and leading group conversations along the way. It was rewarding to hike downhill-all day-and a much needed rest for our lungs. They have been working hard over the past many days!!! In total we descended 3,775′, all of which was spectacular. From Rifugio Tissi, we hiked to the Val Civetta over the Col Rean. The open green meadows met with the narrow valley of Val Corpassa. The route took us just below two sheer rock faces called Torre Venezia and Torre Trieste. They are stunningly tall, reaching heights of 7,667′ and 8,064′. We were all taken away by the beauty and even more stunned to hear that people rock climb them often. After our previous days climbing, we agreed it would be so fun to become better rock climbers and take on challenges like scaling these mountains. About halfway through our hike, we reached a lovely picnic area where we snacked on gummy bears and protein bars to fuel us for the rest of the hike. The group consensus is that sour gummies are the best, especially when they’re shaped like dinosaurs! We finished out the 6-mile hike strong where we rested our legs at Rifugio Capanna Trieste. Emily got Cokes and Chips for the kids to accompany the packed lunches. Noah whipped out the cards and all of the boys joined in to play a quick game. It was such a fun and rewarding end to the trekking portion of our trip! We then piled in to two cars to drive about two hours to the Dolomiti Friuliane in Clauzetto. Emily’s car jammed out to some great music on the drive where the most popular artists included Michael Jackson and Mt. Joy. Taylor’s van had some much needed nap time to recharge for the rest of the day to come. Upon arrival to Clauzetto, a super small town, we were greeted by our wonderful hostel host, Eva. Eva is truly a character-just ask your kids and they will tell you all about her. We think she and her husband may have once been professional dancers but couldn’t fully tell…. They have tons of family pictures scattered around which we all found entertaining. After checking in, we took a nice stroll around town just before it started to rain. It was a little ominous with the storm approaching, so we hung out in the hostel and played some games while we waited for the rain to pass. Eva gave us all an afternoon ice cream treat. She really spoiled us throughout the whole stay! This hostel also had a few pets. Owsley and CC lovingly named all four of them. Our favorite is the smallest dog, and by small we mean she is seriously the tiniest dog you’ve ever seen. We shared a lot of laughs about the animals that roamed around the main level and thoroughly enjoyed their company during our days here. For dinner we shared a delicious spread of homemade chicken, potatoes, and salad followed by more ice cream, of course! We then played our nightly Code Names games. Code master Mattie gave some incredible clues. Taylor, Owsley, CC, Dallie, Louise, and David were victorious, winning 2/3 games! To finish off the night, we had an incredible led by David and Louise. We circled up next to a fountain that looked over a spectacular mountainous landscape. Tonight, the group shared about some of the challenges we’ve each faced and the lessons that we’ve learned from them. It was definitely a memorable, deep conversation that brought us all closer. What a day! So packed full of laughs, even some tears, the good ones, and overall just so much fun. It is really apparent how much love the whole group holds for one another and so special to see everyone continue to form lifelong friendships.
Tuesday morning, day 12 of our Italian journey, we woke up full of excitement for the day ahead of us full of canyoneering! The whole group was absolutely stoked to finally have a water activity. It was a luxury to get to sleep in a little as our activity did not begin until 9:00 am, a nice change from our usual 8:00 am hikes. After a charming breakfast at our beloved Hotel Corona, our canyoneering guide, a local guide named Ennio, picked us up. We had a short ride to Grotta di Pradis. The group got all geared up in our water socks, wetsuits, harnesses, and helmets. It was quite a process to get dressed and the group shared lots of laughs as we wiggled into our tight wetsuits. Owsley was given a particularly funny wetsuit, that actually came in two pieces for a complete look that sort of resembled a wrestling singlet! We started off the canyoneering with a bang as we repelled straight down a mini waterfall into the canyon below. It felt like some sort of natural water park. Charlotte loved the canyoneering and it felt fantastic to cool off in the water after the last few weeks of hiking in the sun! For the next three hours, we descended through an absolute wonderland! We explored the adrenaline rush canyoning can provide as we hiked, slid, and swam our way through the crystal-clear water of the canyon. It was a dream to splash around in the chilly water while taking in the amazing views of rock and the area around us. We ended the activity just as strong as we started and the students of DOL 1B changed from master hikers and became fish as our group swam around after cliff jumping off a nearby rock. Of course, all safely facilitated by our guide, Ennio. Nate and Noah found a frog and passed it around the group, posing for pictures. After the canyoneering was done, we had a quick hike back up to our pickup location. As I am sure you all know by now, it was nothing we weren’t more than capable of! The kids have become quite the little hikers and there is no hill they won’t tackle. We had a private transfer back to our hotel where a scrumptious pasta and Caprese salad were waiting for us. After lunch, per tradition, we had to get ice cream. We let our lunch settle with some downtime filled with poker, journaling, and foosball. Emily and Taylor took the group to explore the town where we soaked up the afternoon sun. Owsley, Dallie, Louise and CC went into the local church where they met the kind Italian who had been ringing the clock tower alarm that we woke up to in the mornings. This cute town had really grown on us over the past 24 hours and we had so much fun in the afternoon all outside together! We headed back for dinner. Eva made us hamburgers and tater tots which was a great reminder of home! After dinner, more ice cream of course! We walked up to the park while enjoying the sunset and took some golden hour photos along the way. Nate and Mattie led an early Moonup inside of a perfect gazebo. Right as Moonup wrapped, we received an invite to play soccer with some of the local Italian kids of the small town. It was such a cool cultural immersion experience. The Moondance DOL 1B soccer team held our own for a while against the Italians, with some epic moments from Charlotte and David. However, our lead didn’t last forever as the local player’s Italian skill eventually prevailed and they secured the win. It was a highlight of the trip for many! We said good night to our new local friends and made our way back to our hotel.
Yesterday morning we all got to sleep in and woke up to head to Venice for our town day. We were all SO pumped to explore the city!!! Before saying goodbye to Hotel Corona, we retrieved our laundry that Eva, our hostel host, so kindly washed for all of us. Breakfast included warm, jam filled croissants and fruit with cappuccinos and hot cocoa. At 10 am our two taxis drove us to Venice. We of course played music along the way and the vibes were high when we arrived in the city. For most of the trip we’ve been staying in remote areas, so it was really exciting to have the opportunity to explore a bigger city together. The kids were troopers carrying our bags through the city to get to our hotel. It was pretty warm out, but a perfectly sunny day in Venice. Once we dropped our belongings at the hotel we quickly headed back out to hunt for gelato. We have some tough critics in the group and couldn’t stop at just any gelato spot-it had to be authentic in the metal tins with a certain type of scooper. We were all satisfied by GROM, a delicious gelato spot. Noah recommended the Stracciatella flavor to the group which many people ordered and thoroughly enjoyed. CC and Taylor tried the yogurt flavor, which was equally great! Then Emily led us to the iconic Piazza San Marco, where Taylor shared some fun facts about the city and Saint Mark’s Basilica. From here we divided for lunch. Emily took Owsley, Mattie, Louise, Dallie, CC and Charlotte to a the illy cafe where we shared one of our favorite meals of the trip. The ambiance was beautiful, coffee tasted so great, and the macaroons were a big hit. Meanwhile, Taylor led David, Matt, Noah, Nate and Jack to an authentic pizza restaurant. Everyone spent the afternoon exploring and shopping, too. Dallie, CC and Louise all bought matching leather purses and bracelets. The boys sat along the canals and thoroughly enjoyed people watching. It was a super fun afternoon! For banquet dinner we went to an amazing restaurant where we sat outside on the water. Emily and Taylor surprised the group with superlatives. Matt received the “best laugh” of the group and David was given “MVP of the DOL 1B soccer team”. Most of the kids had margarita pizza for dinner, importantly soaking up every last bit of the Italian food while they can!! It was a perfect evening, just warm enough but not too hot as the sun set. Golden hour on the canal is beautiful. After dinner we hunted for more gelato and found our best yet! Then we had our final Moonup in the plaza right next to St. Mark’s Basilica. We discussed what we will take away from the trip; it is evident that we all learned so much in just two weeks. Everyone wants to continue embracing Moondance’s “LITMO” mentality-the importance of living in the moment and being present. In other words, being where our feet are and embracing every single moment without being too rushed. Over the span of our trip, we shared so many incredible memories that we will all cherish for a very long time. Discussing these moments at Moonup was an excellent cap on the night and trip as a whole. We headed back to our hotel, skipping through the streets of Venice. It was such an amazing final day of our trip!
Today sadly marks the end to our Italian adventure. We woke up early for a bitter sweet last morning together. Breakfast was grab-and-go-style Nutella filled croissants. Noah and CC’s parents both picked them up at the hotel to continue on their own travels. We said our goodbyes and it hurt to already start parting ways with group members so soon. Soon after, we brought our gear to our private transfer via water taxi pickup point near the water. Our water taxi arrived and we rode about 30 minutes to the airport. Dallie was pumped to be back on a boat, her natural habitat. David, Bender, and Louise caught up on some Z’s as we glided away from the magical floating city of Venice. At the airport, we got boarding passes printed and the group all checked in and ready to go for a long travel day home. After rounds of hugs and sweet words, we said our final sad goodbyes and sent the group off through security and on their way back home to you. We were so sad to see them go but know you are all so excited to have them home and hear all about the trip!
It has been an absolute joy to lead Louise, David, Noah, Jack, CC, Charlotte, Mattie, Nate, Dallie, Victoria, Owsley and Matt in the Dolomites. We both adore your kids and are so grateful to have spent the past two weeks together. Thank you so much for sharing them with us! We cannot wait to see all of the incredible things they accomplish throughout high school and beyond. All twelve of them are truly incredible individuals with such bright futures. BIG LOVE!!
💙💙
Emily and Taylor
Hi DOL family and friends!!
June 16, 2025
Since we last checked in the group has been scaling mountains, rappelling from rock faces, and reaching the peaks of seemingly impossible summits. We’ve been exploring more incredible destinations in the Dolomites and continue to be blown away by the spectacular natural beauty that surrounds us. Let’s jump right in to the past few days!
On Thursday morning we set out to embark on our first day of climbing. After an especially delicious breakfast at Rifuguo Lagazoui, we packed our bags and took the gondola down the mountain. This scenic ride was an unexpected surprise for the kids, and they were all so excited to rest their legs from hiking (we may have convinced them that they were going to have to hike back down to the base…)! We then got to take a second chairlift to the climbing spot: Cinque Torri. Also known as “Five Towers”, these stunning rock faces are located above Cortina d’Ampezzo. It is part of the larger Averau-Nuvolau group in the Cortina Dolomites, and these mountains are also home to an extensive WWI Open Air Museum. The history in this area is really incredible! We could see Refugio Lagazuoi perched a few thousand feet on the mountain above us, so we all felt especially accomplished from our trekking the day prior. Once we arrived, our three guides, Michele, Marco and Felipo, set up four climbing routes that ranged from easy to moderately challenging. The kids jumped right in; Nate was the first to climb and showed off his impressive skills. Dallie was not far behind, easily reaching the top of all four routes. It was a really fun morning- all of the kids took turns climbing and learned how to belay, too. Victoria was our group photographer, “clipping” everyone while they climbed. You all will love seeing these photos soon! After everyone had finished the pt. 1 routes, we moved to a new location for lunch and more challenging climbing. Michele impressively scaled the wall using only a top rope to set up the lines and showed us all how the real pros do it! There were three lines, pink, blue, and orange. We had fun racing up them because they were all right next to each other. The group consensus is that the blue was most challenging, as our arms and legs were shaking after rappelling down. Noah, Dallie and Owsley completed all three of the lines which was super impressive. After a fun-filled day of rock climbing, we hiked back to the base and drove to Rifugio Giau, our home for the next two nights. This Rifugio is located at the top of the Albergo Alpino Passo. There is a lovely restaurant and front deck where bikers and hikers rest to enjoy lunch with a view of the beautiful surrounding landscape. We spent several hours soaking up the sun here while the boys played poker. With a huge pile of rocks at the end, David and Emily brought home the big bucks! In the late afternoon, we hiked up to a viewpoint behind the Rifugio that was absolutely beautiful. Matt, Jack and Noah found a new “sack spot” with a legendary view. They’re on the hunt for the best places to play Hacky Sack, and this one definitely ranks high on the list! Charlotte joined in and the group invented a new game called Poison Sack. The rules are as follows: you have to successfully pass the sack three times, catch it mid air, and tag someone. If you are tagged, you get a point, and the winner is whomever has the lowest points by the end. This has become a group favorite and we play all the time! Our dinner was a delicious, 3-course meal consisting of spaghetti and ravioli with eggs, speck, and potatoes. Followed by several desert options, of course. We could all get used to this!! Following dinner, Emily introduced the group to a new card game called Code Names. We had a great time playing before Moonup and bed. This was a really fun day. It feels like two full days with a morning of activities and afternoon spent enjoying one another’s company. We are so lucky to share such special experiences!
It is hard to believe that this is the halfway point. Time flies, especially when you’re having as much fun as we are! On Friday morning we set out on a hike to climb a Via Ferrata from our Refugio. To reach the Via Ferrata, we had to ascend up a relatively steep slope, so we played 20 questions and wavelength along the way to distract ourselves from the steepness of the hike. Everyone absolutely crushed it; the kids are becoming faster, more confident hikers every day! Our three incredible guides roped us in with one another to climb up and reach the summit. David and Charlotte, our LODs, led the way as we climbed up dramatic rock faces, alongside cliffs, and even through some patches of snow. We ate lunch at the top and soaked up the insane views. The way down felt like a breeze! Our trail conversations ranged from dream cars to favorite movies to college sports and everything in between. The group is becoming more tight-knit by the day, and it is amazing to see everyone show interest in getting to know more about each other. We made it back to Rifugio Giao where we spent the afternoon. Before we knew it, Nate, Jack and Noah had pizzas in hand and Dallie and Mattie shared an order of tiramisu. In the Dolomites, we love a second lunch! We all agree that we could spend hours on the deck at Giao, people watching, playing poker (always) and reminiscing on the fun morning of climbing. David started a game of Poison Sack and the whole group joined in this time which was really fun. Our DJ, Jack, was on aux with music that perfectly matched the vibe while we played. The stand-out dish at dinner tonight was the Italian spaghetti followed by apple strudel and ice cream for dessert. After a couple rounds of Code Names, we had a special Moonup outside. We all shared the best advice we’d ever received or a favorite quote that we live by. Nate dropped some wisdom on us, sharing a sophisticated quote that offers a wonderfully relevant perspective about the experience we are all sharing. It goes as follows: “It’s easy to love the flower, but difficult to love the leaf. It’s ordinary to love the beautiful and beautiful to love the ordinary.” It was the perfect night cap on the day.
On Saturday, day 9 of the trip, we woke up in the morning, ate a hearty breakfast and packed up for the day. LOD CC helped make sure the group was proficiently sunscreened up. We met our lovely guide from earlier on in the trip, Karin, at our Rifugio. (Of course joined by Michele!). We set off for the day on foot straight from our Rifugio, following Michele and Karin. The beginning of the day was pretty steeply uphill. Per usual the group prevailed and crushed it. The trail led over the Forcella Giau with plenty of ups and downs; here the views of the Tofana and Lastoi de Formin are inspiring, not to mention the mountains on display to the south: Monte Fromin, Cernera, Pelmo and the upswept flank of Monte Mondeval. The views were spectacular and we were once again reminded of how lucky we were to be in Italy. We hiked over lush alpine meadows, and even spotted some wild edelweiss. We hiked through an uphill stretch, then all of a sudden, the Pelmo was incredibly close. We could now easily understand why it was dubbed ‘Throne of the Gods’. David helped lead Taylor, Jack, Noah and Nate in a game of categories as we hiked. We broke for lunch in a sweet little meadow and all ate on a big rock. All of the boys finished off lunch with a game of Hacky Sack before the group kept pushing on. For the last part of the day we hiked below Pelmo’s North Face to our comfortable little mountain Rifugio at Passo Staulanza, our home for the night. The hiking in total was 8.3 miles and took around 5 hours. At the Rifugio, we were reunited (at last!) with our personal duffels and it felt great to have all of our belongings back in one spot for the night. It felt like Christmas Day as we went through the goodies in our bags that we had forgotten about. The group enjoyed some chips and apples in our one shared Mega bunk room. Nate cracked out a pen and paper and started practicing his drawing skills. Meanwhile, Louise pulled out some string and a group began making friendship bracelets. Noah led the other half of the group in some poker downstairs. After some downtime, it was time for dinner followed by a round of Code Names. This game has become a group favorite and nightly routine! Owsley and CC led us in a really moving Moonup, led in the Rifugio garage as it rained heavily outdoors. They passed on LOD duties to Jack and Dallie (the upcoming birthday girl) and it was a perfect way to end the day.
Sunday morning we woke up to sounds of birthday music to celebrate DOL 1B’s finest, our very own Dallie Rankin! After a quick BDAY dance party, we packed up quick and said goodbye to our beloved personal duffels once again. Downstairs, breakfast greeted us and Taylor brought out a special treat of Apple Strudel (our makeshift Italian version of a Birthday cake) and sang happy birthday as sweet Dallie blew out the candles! She opened her card with special notes from each group member, while wearing her happy birthday crown of course! Jack helped facilitate the group to grab their packed lunch and got the crew ready to go for the day. We set off with Michele and Karin, on foot again, and the daily hike began at 8:00 AM sharp! This days hike anchored one end of the famous Monte Civetta, one of the most impressive Dolomite formations. Shaped like an enormous trident and likened to a set of organ pipes, it rises majestically between the deep-cut Cordevole river valley and the smiling pasture of Val Zoldana. It was a push to conquer the steep uphill so early in the morning, however, with no surprise, the kids attacked the challenge. We took a longer break at the beautiful Lago Coldai. The lake was a stunning ombré from blue to green and felt amazing as we cooled our feet in the icy water. Dallie and Mattie waded in knee deep while Matt and David skipped rocks. After breaking we continued on to the Col Negro di Coldai that looks over at the towering west face of Monte Civetta. This “wall of walls” extends for over 4 miles! We stopped for lunch in the valley between the steep rock face and the mountain leading up to our rifugio. About midway past this wall, we climbed steeply to Rifugio Tissi, perched on mountaintop looking out at the Val Civetta, down the Alleghe Valley and west to the Marmolada Glacier. This overnight stop was super memorable. The days hike was around 6.8 miles, 5.5 hours of hiking. Louise and Dallie took a walk and tanned on the helly pad. Nate continued to practice his sketching skills. Mattie and Emily journaled. Of course, more poker was played with some tunes in the background. Later, Emily and Taylor led some of the group in a little mountain-side workout where David and Noah had a push-up competition. We were even joined in our workout by one of our fellow Rifugio mates, a personal trainer named Ernesto from Spain. He really showed us up, completing an impressive 100 pull up’s and 200 push ups. Needless to say, we all have some work to do!! Before dinner, the whole group played a game of Solo, an Italian version of Uno. Despite the modified rules, the kids made it work and had a great time playing. We refueled on pasta and eggs. Turns out Italians only eat eggs for lunch and dinner, something we’re all still getting used to but really enjoying. Then we sang happy birthday to Dallie again as Emily and Taylor arranged for her dessert to be brought out with a HBD candle. Dallie told the group that there was no where else she’d rather turn 16! We bundled up to Moonup outside and made a quick climb behind our Rifugio to a spot that overlooked the steep cliff and the valley below. Noah snapped some pictures on his camera and Moonup began, led by Dallie and Jack. We talked about our dream concert lineup and went around sharing what our own version of success meant to us. It was a very memorable Moonup and LOD duties were passed to David and Louise for the following day. Exhausted but content, we quickly hit the hay for an early bedtime.
We are currently overlooking an insanely dramatic, beautiful mountain landscape that is partially covered with snow. It stormed last night, so the air feels cool and crisp. After breakfast we will descend from Rifugio Tissi to the Val Civetta over the Col Rean, hiking through supposedly beautiful, open, green meadows to the narrow valley of Val Corpassa. It’s so hard to believe that we only have a few days left, but we are all so excited for what is to come-canyoneering, Venice and banquet dinner. This group’s dynamic is something really special. Everyone has become so close, like family. We are looking forward to an incredible last few days together and will certainly soak up every single second!
Sending you all SO MUCH LOVE!!
❤️
Taylor & Emily
Shoutouts!
Jack: Hi family, thank you so much for sending me on this amazing trip. It has been so much fun and I think that I truly have gotten so much better at hiking. It’s been challenging stuff but I think that it’s been fun. I can’t wait to see you guys in a few days!
David: Hi Dad Happy Father’s Day sorry I can’t be with you today but I really miss you. You are the best father I can ever ask for. Family I can’t wait to be back but thank you send me here I am having a great time. Mom just confirming you’re trying to talk to Mrs Foster or anyone to change the grade it is important. Talk to Mr. Atkinson as well if needed. Thank you!
Noah: Hi Dad happy Father’s Day I love you so much and I hope you had a good one. You’re my role model and you mean so much to me, thanks for being my dad. Thank y’all for giving me this opportunity and I am having so much fun. Love y’all so much.
Nate: Hey guys! Hope you’re enjoying your time without me! I love you guys so much and am glad to see you soon! The trip has been very fun and I’m exciting to finish it strongly. Happy Father’s Day, and looking forward to seeing you again.
CC: Heyy!! Happy Father’s Day dad! This trip has been so much fun and I’m so thankful you gave me this opportunity! I’ve met so many great people and seen so many cool things that I can’t wait to tell you guys all about it. I miss you guys so so much and can’t wait to see you soon and get ready for Italy pt 2!!
Louise: Hi mom and dad. I am having the best time in Italy!! Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to go on this trip. I’ll see you guys soon! Happy late Father’s Day dad. Love you both ❤️
Owsley: HEY PARENTS! I’m so so so grateful you guys give me the opportunity to do crazy cool stuff like this and I can’t thank you enough! With this opportunity I missed Father’s Day 🥀 – dad I love you so so so much and I can’t wait to see you and give you the best hug! Love you guys both so much ❤️😍
Mattie: Hi mom and dad. Happy late Father’s Day. I’m so grateful for y’all and the opportunity you gave me to go on this trip and do so many amazing things. I miss you and can’t wait to see you guys in a few days. I love you so much!
Charlotte: Happy Father’s Day! Mom and Dad, thank you so much for allowing me to go on this amazing trip and for giving me all of the great opportunities that you do. This trip has gone by so quickly and I can’t wait to see y’all soon! Love you!
Dallie: Hey Mom and Dad! Thank you so much for sending me on this trip it has been a blast with great friends and food! Happy Father’s Day! Also can you bring me my retainers in the blue box in my bathroom. Everything has flown bye! Can’t wait to see you! Love you!
Matt: Happy Father’s Day! Mother and father, thanks for letting me go on this trip, it has been really great. This trip has flown by and I’ll see you guys soon.
Emily: Hi family! I keep thinking of you guys all the time and how much y’all would love it here. From the incredible hiking views to the awesome Refugio’s we stay in, it really is a magical place. Thank you for supporting me in spending the summer leading Moondnace again. I’m loving every single second! Miles, hope wisdom teeth recovery is going well. Dad, I love you so much and hope you had a special Father’s Day celebration. Let’s do a make up Father’s Day when I’m home and go on a fun adventure together! Mom, enjoy Denver and summer in PC. Can’t wait to play Rummikub soon with you!! Sending lots of love always. Xoxo. Ems
Taylor: How’s it hanging Brown Fam! I sure do miss y’all. I am so fortunate to have y’all in my life and for pushing me to chase opportunities like this incredible one! Det, hope you had a good Father’s Day and that you didn’t over do it! This session has flown bye. Such great kids. Talk to y’all soon. 💙-T
Hiking Italy: It's Adventure Packed!!
June 12, 2025
Ciao from the Dolomites! Italy has been nothing short of spectacular so far; the hikes are incredibly rewarding with gorgeous, 360-degree views. We are having the most amazing time and can’t wait to tell you all about it!
Last Saturday morning, everyone arrived, tired from a long day of travel but ready to jump right in. After exchanging our dollars into euros, we hopped in the van to drive from Venice to Alta Badia in the Dolomites. The charming alpine resort town is surrounded by stunning peaks and, fun fact, was part of Austria prior to WW1. On the way there, we learned all about each other by sharing stories about past Moondance Adventures, discussing our favorite hometown restaurants, and taking some much-needed nap time. We arrived at our quaint hotel, Hotel Costes, nestled in the mountains, and were eager to explore the area, so we walked into town to check it out. Along the walk to Corvara we must’ve seen at least 50 bikers and some people hiking, too. We could already tell this active destination is full of so many adventure seekers like us! Many of the stores in town were closed, but we were on a mission to find ice cream, which we accomplished! Who doesn’t love dessert before dinner?? We certainly do! Once we were back at our hotel for the night, we settled in and the boys played some card games. Nate bought souvenir Dolomites cards that he shared with the group. These have been a huge hit throughout the trip! That night we had our first (of many) multi-course dinners and it certainly did not disappoint. We’ve learned that the pre-appetizer salad comes first, then the “real” appetizer, pasta, followed by a main dish and dessert. At dinner we shared our Rose, Thorn, and Bud from the day which has become a nightly dinner routine of ours. We’re sharing so many once in a lifetime experiences with each other, so it is really special to reflect on the day in a more casual way and recall the most special moments.
Before our first nights sleep in Italy, we had our very first Moonup. Moonup is a time when we gather at the end of the night to celebrate all the day’s joys and get to know each other on a deeper level. It’s a Moondance ritual that we all cherish so very much. We elected Noah and CC as our first LODs to set the tone for our trip by leading us through the next day – our first day of activities!
The morning of our second day we met our local guide, Michele, who is with us throughout our entire trip. He has nearly 30 years of guiding experience and has been working with Moondance ever since the first Moondance trip to the Dolomites. Needless to say, we are in great hands! After a delicious breakfast buffet spread with eggs, pancakes, and pastries we hopped in the taxi to reach our first hiking activity. We passed through a few towns along the way and all agreed that living here would be absolutely amazing. Dallie and CC like to describe everything as “sooo cute” which describes it well. The alpine towns are less than a mile long with several hostels and a few homes scattered throughout. Although there are some tourists now, the real peak season is in the winter months where people flood here to ski. In fact, the Ski World Cup races were held here in 2024, and in 2026, Italy will host the Winter Olympics in many of the towns we are visiting! We arrived at the base of our hike after a short drive and began to ascend towards Les Cordes. This route, inaugurated in June 2019, runs along the old path called ‘les cordes’ (‘the ropes’ in Latin) which was once used by local farmers to climb up to the high pastures at Rifugio Gardenaccia. Our fearless LOD, Noah, was in the front of the group throughout the whole hike, offering words of encouragement and helping us reach the summit, despite the steep incline. We got drizzled on by a little bit of rain on our way up, but the clouds cleared quickly and it turned into a beautiful afternoon. Once we reached the top, the whole group had jello legs and devoured sandwiches for lunch. We were all in awe of the stunning views and have such an appreciation for the natural beauty that surrounds us. Truly, we feel so blessed to be in such a beautiful destination! After our hike, Emily and Charlotte surprised the group with ice cream which was a well deserved treat after a big day. We headed back to our hotel for an afternoon of swimming, card games and Hacky Sack. Matt showed off his impressive swimming form while Dallie, Mattie, Victoria and Taylor played Marco Polo in the pool. David, Jack, Noah and Emily took another excursion into town to do some shopping and more exploring. Jack played some music for us along the way. He’s become the group DJ and has great music taste! Once we were all home for the night we shared another amazing meal followed by a great Moonup led by CC and Noah. They asked the group to share about one person who they look up to as a role model. So many of you were mentioned and it was so clear how much these kids love you and appreciate you. Our first full day was a huge success. We feel so lucky to share this time with your kids; they are all rockstars!!!
Monday morning, after a scrumptious breakfast, we packed up our day packs and went outside to meet our guides. We were greeted by Michele and another local hiking guide, Karin. We set off straight from the hotel on our hike to the Campolongo Pass. The first hour or so was tough and mostly uphill but the kids powered through. We breaked next to a ski lift and Dallie pointed out how much ground we had already covered. The view per usual was breathtaking and we continued our hike up to the Pralongià Plateau. Karin explained the history of the area and how important the farm lands surrounding the trails were. As we pushed forward, the hike became more mountainous and the path changed to a slight climb over the rocky landscape. We enjoyed lunch looking at the surrounding mountains including the Marmolada, the Queen of the Dolomites, which is the highest peak in the Dolomites and home to its largest remaining glacier. This was a hard day, around 6-7 hours of hiking and roughly 10 miles. The hike was very rewarding and the group absolutely crushed it! We were super proud of how positive and headstrong the group was throughout the long day and a few students even noted later that this was one of their favorite hikes! At Rifugio Valparola, our home for the next two nights, we enjoyed the panoramic mountain views and relaxed for the day. After a few games of Spoons and Hacky Sack we ventured down to the lake to take some pictures and play some group games. After, the group played our first rounds of “Fun” Poker, substituting rocks for poker chips! The game was a huge hit with the group! Nate ended up bringing home the big bucks (rocks!) and we all got settled for dinner. At dinner we went around sharing our Thorn, Rose, and Buds of the day and reflected on the trip so far. After dinner, Victoria and Jack led us in an impactful Moonup, where the group shared some of our biggest fears and all learned more about each other. It’s so amazing to see everyone open up and share during Moonup and really creates a family-like dynamic within the group.
On Tuesday we woke up to the clouds rising above the mountains. It was a peaceful and quiet morning at our Refugio which felt so relaxing. Today we experienced our first Via Ferrata climb. The approach to the Via Ferrata is itself a step back in history. From the ‘Forte Tre Sassi’ WW1 Museum, we hiked along the Goiginger gallery – once an active military post with artillery directly aimed at the opposite ‘Cengia Martini’ (Martini ledge). The trail was well marked and our guides Michele and Marco roped us in to climb along the Via Ferrata. Via Ferrata’s are somewhat of a mix between rock climbing and hiking; you’re tied in with a rope and carabiners but self led along the way. We climbed for about an hour to reach the trenches above. Mattie and Charlotte crushed the route and exclaimed that it was their favorite activity so far! The Via Ferrata ended beneath a summit. If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that Michele, our awesome guide, loves a summit. If there’s a nearby mountain to climb, we’re reaching the top!!! We made it to the Sass de Stria summit for lunch. Along the way, we hiked through some snow and got to climb up some ladders that are built into the mountains. It’s so interesting how well preserved the history is here, and especially amazing that we get to experience it. At lunch we shared more riddles and Taylor stumped the group with an especially difficult one. Vibes were high for our group picture at the summit and then we headed back down towards our Refugio. The way back was a little icy, but the kids all crushed it and helped lend a hand to each other as needed. Our afternoon was just as fun as the morning; Emily laid out on the roof and tanned with Victoria, Owsley and Louise while Jack, Noah, Matt and David played poker. It’s become quite the competitive game within the group! Dallie, our LOD, led everyone on a pre-dinner adventure up a nearby mountain to check out the views from a different perspective. The boys found a great new “sack spot” – the term coined for playing Hacky Sack with a beautiful view. We are obsessed with how remarkable these views are and I don’t think we will ever get used to them! To end a fun-filled fourth day together, we bundled up for Moonup outside. Owsley and Dallie led us in an amazing Moonup. The highlight was their creative “nug jug” story. For those who are unfamiliar, “nugs” are an important component of Moonup where we say thanks for parts of the day that stood out as being really special. For example, we give nugs to our guide Michele almost every night. On this night, we had a lot of nugs for the beautiful sunshine and the Via Ferrata we climbed. It’s a great way to reflect and share gratitude about the day.
Yesterday morning, Wednesday, we woke up early to pack up our things and eat breakfast as we prepared for our big day of exploring the WWI tunnels. At breakfast, Marco, one of our awesome guides, described insightful facts about WWI history, Italy and the Dolomites role in the war. We then hiked the Passo Falzarego and passed the time with countless games of 20 questions. Owsley stumped the group with “credit card” as one of his 20 questions. We love this game on the trail! After crossing the pass we began our journey through the fascinating open-air WWI museum carved into the mountains. Here the Italian and Austro-Hungarian armies dug shelters out of the mountains, transforming them into an impenetrable 20th century fortress of tunnels and trenches. We got to see first hand a behind-the-scenes tour of dramatic, high-altitude battles that are unique in the history of man. We had to use headlamps along the way because the tunnels are so dark. We definitely have a newfound appreciation for the physical difficulty of being a soldier in these tunnels. It’s really cold inside, even in the summer, and insanely steep. Climbing through the tunnels led us to Rifugio Lagazuoi, our home for the night. We ate lunch on a nearby summit next to the Rifugio and enjoyed the fruits of our labor while we munched and took in the view. Nate, Noah, Matt, David, and Jack soaked up the sun and played some intense rounds of poker on the Rifugio lookout. Meanwhile, Owsley led the rest of the group in a game of snaps and other impossible riddles. Before we knew it, it was dinner time! With each course the food was incredible and the delectable vanilla berry gelato for dessert perfectly topped it off. We timed Moonup just right to have a spectacular sunset for a backdrop behind us. Nate and Louise led one of our most special nightly Moonups yet, and the view amplified the moment tenfold! The LOD’s passed on their leadership duties for the next day to Mattie and Matt. At our Refugio we get to share a “mega room” with 14 bunk beds-it’s like a big sleepover, and so fun to all be together!
This morning we are about to embark on our first day of climbing. We have a perfect view of our climbing spot, Cinque Torri, from Rifuguo Lagazuoi. Cinque Torri, meaning “Five Towers”, is a group of more than 5 towers that lies on the south slopes of Falzarego Pass above Cortina d’Ampezzo. It is part of the larger Averau-Nuvolau group in the Cortina Dolomites. We are pumped to rock climb and continue exploring the Italian Dolomites!
Sending SO much love to you all. Thank you for sharing your amazing kids with us for these two weeks. We love them all and are forever grateful for the time we get to spend with one another.
Love,
Emily & Taylor
Shoutouts:
Louise: Hi mom and dad! Currently in a rifugio on a top of a mountain and eating a good breakfast. Im having a blast with my group. They are all so funny. I miss you all so much and I will see you very soon!! I love you both so so much. ❤️
David: Hi Mom and Dad! Hope yall are doing great and enjoying your trip to Boston. I am having a great time and I like my group, lots of hiking. Both my counselors are cool and I like all of my group members. Hi Noah and Sophia I hope yall had a great camp trip to Balcony Springs. I have had a great time as well. Miss you guys but see you all very soon!!
Noah: Hi Mom and Dad. I am having so much fun in Italy!!!! I can’t wait to meet y’all up here and go to Lake Como. Emily and Taylor are super cool, fun, and chill. Sasha and Kaela I love y’all so much and I will see y’all soon. Love y’all. ⛰️🧗♂️
CC: HEYY GUYS!! I am having so so much fun with my group and the places were going. The time is going by wayy to quick but lucky me i get to stay another week!! You guys would love it here especially Virginia, all the hikes are gorgeous. Our refugios are also like on top of mountains and are so cool. Anyways I miss you guys so much and cant wait to see you soon and tell you all my fun stories!🇮🇹
Charlotte: Hey Mom and Dad! It’s been awesome here in the Dolomites and it has gone by SO quickly. Y’all would definitely love to vacation here; the views are absolutely incredible! I don’t know if you guys would love rock climbing, but that’s what we’re doing today and I am so excited! Anyway, see y’all soon and tell Witt happy birthday for me! Love you guys lots! 💗
Mattie: Hi mom and dad! I’m on top of a mountain right now and having so much fun on this trip. Dad, you would love all the hikes and sweet shots up here. Mom, you might not like the elevation but the towns and hotels are super fun as well. I miss y’all and I can’t wait to see you soon.
Owsley: HI FAMILY!!!! Im having a blast over in Italy and i can’t wait to see all of you. The views here are insane but dad you would absolutely hate the hiking because of the heights. Lilla, I hope you’re not having too much fun with out me especially in Nantucket, don’t forget to keep relevant. I love you all so much and i seriously am loving life over here. Lots of laughs and good food. ❤️🥐🌄
Victoria: Hi Family!!! I’m having the best time in Italy! The Dolomites are so beautiful and the weather is super nice here. A little cold, but I can manage! Everyone here is soooooo nice and the food is absolutely delicious. This places we’ve stayed have been so pretty and nice. I can’t wait to see y’all when i get back and i cant wait to tell you guys all about it! I miss you guys so so so so much and I love you guys sooooo much too!
Dallie: Hey FAM! Italy is amazing and I’ve had a blast!!!!! The hiking is beautiful and the views are insane, mom you would love it! Hope you have a great Father’s Day, dad. Love y’all all so much! 🥐😘🥾
Matt: Hello family. Italy is really fun and I’ve had a great time. I really enjoy the hiking, and the scenery is great. The food also has been great so far. Have a good Father’s Day, and I’ll see you guys in a week.
Jack: Hi Family, I miss you! My group is great and a lot of fun. This trip has been pretty fun so far. We have done a lottt of hiking, but I’m good with it. We are taking a gondola down the mountain this morning so I’ll let yall know how that goes. I hope you guys are doing great. Happy Father’s Day and I’ll see you guys soon!
Nate: Hey guys, miss you a lot! So far, we have been doing tons of hiking, which is alright. Today, we will be rock climbing, which I’m very excited for. So far the trip has been fun, and the people are cool. Happy Father’s Day (prematurely) and I love you guys so much.
Taylor: What up Fam! Missin y’all so much! This place is incredible, everyday is cooler than the last. I feel super grateful for all of y’all’s support in getting me here. I feel like I am exactly where I am supposed to be. Big Det, happy early Father’s Day! You would love all the biking here! Wish I could be there to celebrate Anna’s grad with the family. Mark keep on crushing Corporate America and Mom keep on dominating on the tennis court! Squeeze Maxy boy for me! Always thinking of y’all! -T
Emily: Hey! I’m having the most incredible time ever. Congrats on graduation Miles, so proud of you and can’t wait for next year together at UVA. Happy early Father’s Day, Dad – love you so much. And sending so much love to you, too, Mom! This is seriously one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been and I’m so grateful to be here. You guys would love it and we need to come as a family. Miss you guys so much! Xoxo, Ems
The Adventure Begins!
June 7, 2025
Hello Dolomites Families!
We heard from our leaders that the group has landed safely in Venice and is traveling to the Dolomites! The trip is off to a great start, and we are so excited to hear more stories as they begin their adventure.
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
