Under the Eiffel Tower!
July 25, 2026
One final Bonjour from Paris!
If you’re reading this, your kids are either on their way home or already home. And if you’re one of the kids reading this… we seriously can’t believe these past three weeks are already over. It honestly feels like just yesterday we were all meeting in the airport, and somehow here we are writing our final trip update. What an incredible adventure it has been!
After making our way back into Paris, or as Sam calls it, “Pawisssssss,” we boarded one final metro train and hauled all of our bags over to the Hostel. Once everyone got settled, we headed straight back out to explore the city one last time. We were all starving after a long travel day, so we found a great Mexican restaurant where everyone devoured burritos and bowls. It absolutely hit the spot, and naturally we couldn’t leave without grabbing some Parisian gelato afterward. We wandered through the beautiful streets of Paris, taking in every last bit of the city before making our way to a nearby park for Moonup.
The next morning felt a little like Christmas morning. Lizzie, Sophia, Lula, Lila, and Reagan were all up early saying it felt like Christmas because they were so excited to spend one last full day exploring Paris together. We started the morning the proper French way with fresh croissants from a local café before beginning what quickly became a group-wide mission to track down the perfect iced coffee. Daly, Brooks, Sam, George, Finn, and Mack stumbled upon an Indian street food stand and couldn’t resist giving it a try.
From there, we spent the morning simply wandering through the city, soaking in every moment. We made our way over to the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral, which everyone had been excited to finally see in person. Next we headed toward one of Paris’s famous thrift shopping districts. Ben helped the boys search through racks at a thrift store where everything was sold by weight called Kilo, and everyone was determined to put together the perfect European outfit. George was especially fired up about the “Euro fit” he put together. Afterward, we made our way to a nearby mall where the shopping continued. Finn had an especially successful day and somehow managed to leave with what felt like an entirely new wardrobe. Reagan was thrilled to finally find the Sonny Angels she had been searching for, while the rest of the girls were equally excited to pick up chocolate croissants, Jellycat stuffed animals, and a few other Paris souvenirs to bring home.
By lunchtime we had worked up quite an appetite, so we picked up fresh focaccia sandwiches and carried them over to the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens. We spread out across the grass for one final picnic together and enjoyed one last slow afternoon as a group. It definitely felt a little different having our picnic surrounded by Parisian gardens instead of towering Alpine peaks, but it was the perfect way to soak in our final day together. After lunch we headed back to the hostel for a little downtime before getting ready for our final banquet dinner.
When everyone emerged from their rooms dressed in their new European outfits, it was hard to believe these were the same people we’d spent the last three weeks hiking through the mountains with. We traded hiking boots for sneakers and hopped on the metro one final time toward the Eiffel Tower.
We arrived just before dinner and made our way to an incredible Italian restaurant for our final banquet together. We shared pizza, pasta, and plenty of tiramisu while laughing about all of the memories we’d made over the past three weeks. It was the perfect final meal together. After dinner, we walked over to the Eiffel Tower where we gathered beneath one of the most iconic landmarks in the world for our very last Moonup. As the sun disappeared and the Eiffel Tower began to sparkle, we reflected on everything we’d experienced together, the friendships that had formed, and just how much this group had grown over the course of the trip. It was such a special moment that none of us will ever forget.
Eventually we began the walk back to the hostel, but none of us were quite ready for the night to end. Instead of rushing home, the group spent the walk singing songs, skipping through the streets of Paris, and soaking up every last minute together. It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable three weeks and a memory we know all of us will carry with us for a very long time.
Its truly been such a privilege to watch this group grow, step outside of their comfort zones, support one another, and experience so many unforgettable moments together. We know they are coming home with incredible stories, lifelong friendships, and memories they’ll carry with them for years to come, and Taylor and I feel so lucky that we got to be a part of their journey.
Ben and Taylor ❤️
Pyrenees Pizzazz
July 23, 2026
Bonjour from Paris! We all had an excellent time in the Pyrenees!
After we finally arrived in Luz after our long bus ride, Lizzie, Lula, Reagan, and Lila immediately went on the hunt for iced coffees. All the girls then went souvenir shopping and met up with the boys. That evening Ben and Taylor cheffed up once again, and we ate delicious Mexican bowls before going to watch the nail-biting France versus Spain soccer match. After, the whole group celebrated Bastille Day by dancing the night away at a local live DJ!
The next morning we woke up, had a delicious breakfast, laced up our boots, and began our tour of the beautiful Pyrenees mountains. Then we met our wonderful guide, the amazing Mandy! To start our journey, we began by going down 900 meters to stop for lunch by a beautiful blue river, where we all enjoyed our sandwiches together and then dunked into the refreshing water. All the girls lay on the hot rocks and took photos together on Reagan’s camera as always, and the boys enjoyed exploring the river. Then we continued our trek, weaving along the river, and Taylor couldn’t stop dreaming of her red Powerade she was going to get in the town. Once we finally made it to — where some of us jumped into another river and Sophia, Mack, and Sam dove in head first! Then George and Lila joined them to get the best gelato ever! That night all the girls enjoyed a much-needed nap and were gladly woken by the call for dinner! For dinner we enjoyed a variety of things like burrata salads, chicken, trout, and chocolate mousse. During dinner, Finnegan shocked us all by eating FOUR whole fish heads! Then Daly got his sports fill of the night by watching a little of the World Cup game during dinner. And to no surprise, we all got gelato before Moonup! For Moonup, we enjoyed it at a local park, and Sam ended Moonup by playing Wagon Wheel on the guitar while we all joined along and sang.
To begin our next day, we all woke up before the sun to begin our trek of the day through the canyon. The group was feeling anxious for the early morning climb, but they all crushed it with a little help from Ben’s DJ skills. He played excellent house music, SOS by Rihanna, and John Summit. Also, George and Mack were a big help keeping the energy high, and to no surprise, Brooks was conquering the mountain with ease. Through the trek, we had a dance party, snack breaks, and connected with nature. During our longer lunch break, we saw a massive waterfall, Brooks and Finn went on their usual adventure walk, and the rest napped. When we finally made it to the hostel, everyone was so excited to slip on the flip-flops and enjoy some version of a soda and KitKat. Then the girls went to take their four-minute showers, journal, look through photos, and sleep some more. We had dinner and then went to enjoy the stunning sunset over the mountains. Lastly, we sat in a field, stargazed, and listened to music together.
For day three of trekking, we discovered the importance of pocket muffins, where we grabbed the tasty muffins from breakfast and stuffed them in our bags to enjoy later. We started our trek downhill to make it to the waterfall we saw the day before. At the waterfall, the girls took lots of pictures, and Sophia and Lila wore twinning outfits. And of course George, Mack, and Sam had to dunk their heads in the freezing water. We continued our trek through the base of the canyon, and during that time we passed so many cows, and Reagan took a funny video of her getting super close to one of them; the cow proceeded to ram her. As we weaved through the canyon, the group got to talking about all sorts of things. Then, in fear we were gonna miss the taxi, we kicked it into high gear and booked it to the end. We made it to our hostel for the night, which was right on the river that we stopped at on the first day of the Pyrenees. The whole group chowed down on potatoes brava and sausages. All the girls went to the river to tan and rinse off; Reagan, Sophia, and Lila even did a cold plunge! Then Mack, Sam, and George acted like hippos drifting down the river until they were noticed. Taylor then joined Mack, Sophia, Lila, Sam, and George on the rocks tanning and sharing hilarious stories. Then we all got together and played Monopoly Deal before dinner. After a yummy dinner, we had Moonup; this Moonup was one of our best ones yet; it truly made us closer as a whole. After this, the girls went with Ben and some of the guys went off with Taylor and continued our chats as we watched the stars. To end the night with a comfy bed and a full heart.
Day four of the trek, another beautiful day in the Pyrenees, started. Straight after an amazing breakfast buffet, we went 900 meters straight up, where we went down the first day of the trek. After a tough climb led by music and good vibes, we were off to 900 meters down. After a hard morning, we were rewarded with a beautiful lunch spot down by the river. George, Mack, and Sam led the way by getting into the river first, then followed the rest. After a long 2-hour lunch break and some sun naps, we continued our journey to the hostel. We hiked another 2 hours, stopped to see some views, but finally made it. That night for dinner we were served duck, with potatoes and a yummy salad. For dessert, we were made crepes by our friends at the restaurant. That night the boys played hacky sack while the girls hung out together, all enjoying each other’s company. To end the night, we told ghost stories of the “pink lady,” preparing us for our stay the next night.
“Pink lady day”: an early morning was ahead. To start the day, we had some croissants and coffee at our hostel. Reagan, Lula, and Lizzie went to get some “better” coffee from a local café. Soon after, we started to pack up, getting ready for our adventure of the day. Mandy, our lovely guide, gave us some words of wisdom and encouragement before our trek. We started off leaving our little town, then heading straight to the huge waterfall. To many of the kids’ surprise, the waterfall was bigger, better, and more famous than they knew. We were able to leave our bags down at the bottom and hike to the top to see the waterfall. After getting pictures, we were all soaked; surprisingly, it was a needed refreshment. After we had made it down to our bags, we sat and ate lunch for a while. Some of the kids were a little nervous to reach our destination due to prior stories, but we were all excited to rest. Another hour passed of hiking, and we made it to a natural waterfall where all of us got under, knowing that night there would not be a shower for us. Another hour passed, and we made it up to espaguettes. We were greeted by the horses! They were loved by everyone; Sophia and Ben even gave them names, one named Mr. brown, and the other, Shaniqua. As soon as we got to the hostel, Reagan, Lizzie, Lila, Sophia, and Lula got lemonades to cool down. For dinner, we were served pasta, which everyone was looking forward to. Later that night we all went out to the grassy field to enjoy each other’s company and do Moonup. We took pictures, listened to music, and danced around. The sunset was never-ending, just like our fun. We stayed out later to watch the stars; however, some went back to sleep for our EARLY morning the next day.
We ended the night with laughs and hugs before we all headed to sleep.
SUNRISE! Good morning on day 6! A super early morning starting at 4:30 AM to catch the sunrise. We started the trek in sweats and hoodies but soon took them off with it being warmer than expected. We went about an hour up to our sunrise spot; it was not easy, but we fully did it, absolutely no complaints. Once we made it, we took LOTS of pictures to capture the memory. We also had moments of silence and reflection on the last full day of our trek. Lots of gratitude was shared until we all fell asleep after the sun had woken up. Around 8:30, we started the rest of our day and were set to complete the trek. A couple hours later we stopped for lunch by another river, blessed to be able to eat in such beautiful places with the best people. The last river naps were had and lunch was shared all around, made by our lovely hosts from the night before. Again, Sam, George, Mack, Lizzie, Lula, Daly, and Lila got into the river, enjoying our last river lunch break. After this amazing lunch we headed down to our final hostel of the trek. With proud faces and happy smiles, we made it! MANY scoops of ice cream were had. Reagan befriended the hostel’s dog named Nukee and played with him. The boys were able to tame a chicken and named him Rico, which became their spirit animal. We were blessed with another amazing dinner of vegetable curry, then homemade brownie with ice cream. Another amazing Moonup was done, and we were allllllllll tired from the day. Goodnight!!
Day 7 FINAL DAY OF PYRENEES! A sleep-in was deserved and given. The kids were all so proud of each other and themselves after completing the majority of our trek. That day we were doing a day hike, with no backpacks. This was a TREAT for our tired backs and feet. We hiked up a small way, then we stopped to do a rock exercise. We each got a rock signifying something we want to leave up on the mountain; George specifically picked the biggest rock because he said he wanted a challenge. We all said our final goodbyes to the rocks and sat down for a lunch break. We all enjoyed a pasta salad from the hostel and loved it! Some got into the river, but Reagan, Lizzie, and Lula stayed dry and reflected on their time. We hiked back down for about 45 minutes to the hostel. We were greeted with our rides back to Luz. We loaded up and headed back. Once we got to Luz, the girls went straight up to organize their bags and get ready for Paris. They soon headed off to get juices and snacks from the stores. Taylor and Ben made a delicious dinner that night of pasta with red sauce and salad; dinner was so good. Soon after, we had a dance party; a surprise rave was thrown, which subsequented in a conga line that went around the hostel and into the street. Everybody was happy and sweaty. That night we climbed up to the local castle for Moonup; we had an amazing time, followed by Sam playing the guitar. Some stayed to stargaze and swing dance while some went to sleep. That night everyone was snug in their beds with full bellies and hearts once again.
🫶🏻
Ben and Taylor
Lizzie – hi mom and dad!! Thank you so so so much for this amazing experience!! I can’t wait to tell yall all about it and see you!! Love y’all and see you soon!❤️❤️
Reagan- HIIIII YALLLL. Thank you for this experience, it truly has been such a cool thing to do. I feel so much stronger and happier as a person I absolutely cannot wait to talk to y’all and tell you ALLLLLL about it. I love you all so much, a million hugs from me!!
Lila- Hey Mom and Dad!! Thank you so much for sending me on this last trip, I am so glad that I got to do one more!! I am so excited to see y’all and show you all the pics and tell you all about it! I’ve never done something so hard but I am so grateful I did it! Love you so much and see you soon! Love, Bip
Sophia – hiii mom and dad!!!! Thank you so so so soooo much for this experience I will remember this for the rest of my life. I can’t wait to tell yall about it and show you soooo many photos. Miss you and love you soooo much❤️❤️😘😘
Lula- heyyy mom and dad!!! Thank you guys soo much for this experience, i have been able to challenge myself with some of the best people and see some of the best places! I am so excited to be home and see everyone!! Love yall ❤️❤️
Daly – Hey Mom and Dad. Thanks so much for letting me go on this trip. I’ve had so much fun and am really glad I chose to do another trip and that I chose this one. These views have been unlike anything I’ve ever seen and I’ve been pushing myself a ton and am really glad I did it. Thanks again, love y’all. See you in Africa in a few days.
Finn – Hey Mom and Dad I really appreciate the opportunity that you gave me with this trip, being without you guys for 23 days has been difficult for me and I cannot wait to discuss my amazing trip with you two!
Brooks – hey mom and dad thanks so much for sending me on this trip it has been such a great experience and I’m looking forward to telling y’all all about it. I’ve missed everyone so much and am excited to see yall soon, love y’all
Mack – Hey Mom and Dad I want to say thank you so much for sending me on this trip! I can’t wait to tell you all about it when I get home! Love y’all
George- Hey mom and dad thank y’all so much for giving me the opportunity to come on this trip. It has been a great time and I can’t wait to see y’all when I get back. I love y’all so much!
Sam- Hey mom and dad thank you guys so much for giving this opportunity. I’m having so much fun and having a blast in the mountains and the views and the pictures are insane can’t wait to see y’all!!!
Sunny Days in Spain!
July 14, 2026
Hola from Spain!!!
We have had the best past few days soaking up the ☀️ on the beautiful coast of Spain! After getting in late during our travel day from France, we arrived in L’Escala, Spain, a beautiful coastal Spanish town on the Mediterranean Sea! We got to our campsite, which is an amazing tented camp just half a mile from the beach, and all of the kids were so excited to sleep in tents! Before settling in for the night, we picked up some incredible pizzas for dinner and then got to watch the Spain World Cup match together. It was such a cool experience to be in Spain for such a big game, especially after getting to be in Chamonix the night before for all of the excitement of France’s match. After a very long travel day, we headed to bed excited for the next few days of relaxation.
The next morning the kids were able to sleep in while Taylor and Ben got up early to make a breakfast of eggs, avocado toast, and fruit salad. The kids were so excited to get down to the beach, and we were met with beautiful golden sand and crystal clear Mediterranean water. They couldn’t get their feet in the sand fast enough! We plopped down and honestly did not move much for the rest of the day. Our bodies were definitely exhausted after the week before. Lizzie, Lila, and Sophia were especially excited to spend the day tanning, while Brooks and Finn wandered off and found an awesome little secret spot perched above the sea cliffs that overlooked the beautiful blue water below. Throughout the day all of the kids swam together in the ocean, played beach volleyball, lounged in the sun, and just enjoyed having absolutely nowhere to be. For lunch we decided you really can’t have too much pizza, so we grabbed pizzas and had a picnic right on the beach, which Daly was especially excited about. Lula and Reagan were perfectly content reading their books in the sun, while George, Sam, and Mack, as always, got a game of hacky sack going, this time beach edition. They even convinced a random Spanish man walking by to hop into the circle and join them for a few rounds. After a full day at the beach we headed back to camp and made a great meal: Greek bowls loaded with fresh veggies, chicken, rice, and all the toppings. It was so nice to have a home-cooked meal after eating out so much while traveling. We wrapped up the evening with some delicious gelato before heading back to camp for Moonup and another great night of stories before bed.
The next morning we were up early as we got ready for our first day of sea kayaking! We met up with our sea kayak guides on the beach bright and early and were stoked to have another beautiful day out on the sea. We headed out along the coastline and although the water was definitely a bit rougher than expected, everyone handled it like champs. Mack and Sam were especially excited to get back into kayaks and were leading the group like absolute pros the entire day. We paddled along the beautiful Spanish coastline, explored a few sea caves, and stopped for lunch on a gorgeous beach where we got to swim, eat, and soak up some more sunshine before making our way back. That evening we had another highlight of the trip with an incredible cooking class right by the beach. Everyone got assigned different dishes and immediately jumped into action. Reagan, Lizzie, Lila, Lula, and Sophia prepared an amazing salmon tartare and tomato bread, while Brooks braved the heat making the paella. Sam and Daly tackled chopping mountains of lettuce for one of the salads, while Ben, Finn, Mack, and George worked together making homemade pesto that turned out unbelievably good. Once everything was finished we all sat down together and enjoyed one of our favorite meals of the trip. It was absolutely delicious! Of course we couldn’t end the night without another gelato stop before Brooks and Finn took the group up to show everyone their secret overlook above the sea cliffs. We made our way back to camp for Moonup, hung out together for a while, and then got some much-needed sleep.
The next morning we were up early again for another great day of sea kayaking! This time our guides drove us about forty minutes away to a different beach so we could explore a completely new section of the coastline. We launched into the water and even paddled through sections where the waves pushed us between the rocks, making for a super fun and adventurous ride. We stopped once again for lunch at another beautiful beach, and nearby there was an awesome cliff jumping spot. Sophia immediately decided she was going to send it and quickly convinced just about everyone else to jump too. She even found a higher ledge and was an absolute daredevil, making everyone else want to give it a try. Daly, Mack, and Sam had a blast exploring all of the little caves nearby, while George spent the afternoon trying to carefully pick up sea urchins and inspect all the marine life around us. After kayaking we headed back to our beach in L’Escala for one final afternoon soaking up the Mediterranean before making our way back to camp. For dinner we made our famous rigatoni vodka pasta. Mack and Sam jumped in to help cook the Italian sausage, and everyone cleaned their plates it was that good! We wrapped up the evening with one last gelato run before heading down to the beach for Moonup as the sun set over the Mediterranean. It was the perfect way to end our time in Spain together.
Today we are traveling to our Pyrenees section where we will be spending the next seven days hiking through the beautiful rural mountains of France and Spain. We seriously can’t wait to see what’s in store next!
Ciao,
Ben and Taylor
Terrific Times in the TMB!
July 11, 2026
Bonjour from Cham 4A!
Our European adventure is officially underway, and what an incredible start it has been! From the very beginning, everyone has brought such positive energy, excitement, and willingness to jump into every moment. Watching these friendships form so quickly has been one of our favorite parts of the trip so far, and we know this is only the beginning.
Travel days always come with a little adventure, and ours certainly did. While most of the group made it to Chamonix as planned, a few unexpected flight delays meant that Mac, Sam, Lula, and Lila had quite the travel day of their own. The rest of the group made the journey from Paris into the beautiful French Alps and settled into our first home away from home, Chamionard, while eagerly waiting for the rest of the crew to arrive.Meanwhile, Mac, Sam, Lula, and Lila made the absolute most of a long day spent waiting in the train station. Instead of letting the delays get them down, they passed the time playing games of Monopoly Deal, hanging out together, and grabbing some burgers while they waited for the next train. By the time they finally arrived in Chamonix later that evening. We were so excited to finally have everyone together.The next morning was when the adventure really began. For the first time, our entire group was finally together in one place. Everyone spent the morning introducing themselves, learning names, sharing stories, and getting excited for everything that was ahead.
Once everyone was ready, we headed into the beautiful town of Chamonix. There is just something so special about this little mountain town. Surrounded by towering peaks and glaciers, every street seems to have another incredible view waiting around the corner. Of course, we couldn’t explore Chamonix without stopping for coffee first. Lizzie had been talking about getting an iced coffee all morning and was very excited when she finally got one. We wandered through the streets, browsed all the little outdoor shops, picked up any last-minute trekking gear we needed, and enjoyed taking in our new surroundings before our big adventure began.By lunchtime everyone had worked up an appetite, so we stopped at one of our favorite taco spots in town. After lunch, we made our way back to Chamionard for a relaxing afternoon before the Tour du Mont Blanc. Before long, the cards came out, and everyone split into games. Ben, Mac, Lila, and Sam introduced George to Monopoly Deal, and he picked it up almost immediately. Daly, Evelyn, Finn, Taylor, Brooks, Lizzie, and Lula learned how to play Let’s Go to Cabo.
As the evening rolled around, we gathered together for our first dinner as a full group. After dinner, we held our first Moonup of the trip. Every evening we gather together to slow down, reflect on the day, and check in with one another, and this first one could not have gone better. It was already obvious how quickly this group was connecting.The next morning arrived before we knew it, and excitement was at an all-time high. We packed our bags, laced up our boots, and met Christoph, our incredible French trekking guide who would be leading us over the next several days through the southern section of the Tour du Mont Blanc. Christoph immediately made everyone feel welcome, and we couldn’t have asked for a better person to introduce us to these mountains.
Instead of starting directly on the trail, we first hopped aboard a train before taking a gondola high into the mountains to reach our trailhead. The higher we climbed, the bigger everyone’s smiles became. Looking out over the Alps from the gondola was enough to get everyone fired up before we had even taken our first steps.Before starting the hike, our first Leaders of the Day, Lizzie and Sam, gathered everyone into a big hype circle. They led stretches, got everyone energized, and sent us off with plenty of excitement as our journey officially began.
Right away we were surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery any of us had ever seen. Towering peaks stretched in every direction while waterfalls poured down the mountainsides around us. Brooks and Daly wasted no time setting a strong pace and looked completely at home on the trails. George brought endless energy to the group, constantly hyping everyone up and somehow managing to keep everyone’s spirits high no matter how steep the climb became. After hiking through beautiful alpine meadows, we stopped for lunch overlooking some absolutely incredible mountain views. Later in the afternoon, we reached an optional summit climb, and every single student decided they wanted to take on the extra challenge. We couldn’t have been more proud of them. They pushed all the way to the top together and were rewarded with panoramic views that made every step worth it. Reagan spent much of the afternoon capturing everyone’s adventures on her camera, making sure these memories would last long after the trip ended. We took plenty of group photos, soaked in the scenery, and celebrated making it to the top together.Eventually we descended into one of the most beautiful mountain hostels we’ve ever stayed in. After dropping our bags, everyone immediately headed down to the icy river to cool off after such a big hiking day. Even though the water was freezing, it felt incredible after spending the day on the trail. Afterwards everyone relaxed in lawn chairs outside the hostel, soaking up the warm sunshine while listening to the river rush by.
Dinner that evening was definitely one for the books. Somehow, after hiking all day through the Alps, our big celebratory meal ended up featuring… eggs! We all had a pretty good laugh about it, but after a long day on the trail, everyone was simply happy to have a hot meal in front of them.As the sun began to set behind the mountains, Sam gathered everyone together for an evening game of hacky sack in a beautiful grassy field. Surrounded by waterfalls, glowing mountains, and one of the prettiest sunsets we’ve ever seen. We wrapped up the evening with our first trek Moonup led by Sam and Lizzie before heading upstairs, where every single one of us slept together in one giant bunk room. There was plenty of laughter, storytelling, and joking around before everyone slowly drifted off to sleep after an unforgettable first day on the Tour du Mont Blanc.
The next morning, we woke up bright and early once again, knowing another big day was ahead of us. We wasted no time getting started because almost immediately the trail pointed straight uphill. The morning climb was no joke, but this group continued to impress us with their determination.One of the highlights of the day was climbing an incredibly well-preserved Roman road that has existed for centuries. After making it to the top, we enjoyed a well-earned lunch.Not long after lunch, Lizzie, Lila, Reagan, Sophia, and Lula wandered into a beautiful field filled with wildflowers that looked straight out of The sound of music. By late afternoon we reached another beautiful mountain hut where everyone immediately claimed a lawn chair and settled in for some much-needed relaxation. Some people read books while others talked for hours, listened to music, or simply stared out at the mountains surrounding us.That evening we enjoyed one of our favorite dinners of the trek followed by an incredible lava cake with raspberry sauce that somehow tasted even better after another full day of hiking. As the sun began setting, we carried our Moonup into a nearby field overlooking the mountains. We reflected on another amazing day together before ending the night lying under the sky , listening to music, stargazing, and soaking in every second of this incredible place.
The next morning we woke up to another beautiful day in the Alps, and before long we were back on the trail ready for another adventure. We knew this would be one of our longer days, but this group continued to amaze us with their attitudes and determination. No matter how many miles we had already covered, everyone continued encouraging one another and making the most of every moment.As we climbed higher into the mountains, we eventually reached a massive snowfield stretching across the trail. Naturally, what started as carefully walking across the snow quickly turned into an all-out snowball fight. Before we knew it, snowballs were flying in every direction as everyone laughed their way across the mountain.By late afternoon we arrived at one of the most unique hostels of the trek “The Cheese Factory.” It was unlike anywhere we had stayed before and ended up being one of everyone’s favorite places on the trek. As we walked in, PJ, the owner of the hostel, greeted us with a huge smile and proudly showed us a traditional Norwegian bath that he had been heating over a wood fire all afternoon for us after the long hiking day.Of course, the boys couldn’t wait to jump in. While the water wasn’t quite as hot as everyone had imagined, that certainly didn’t stop them from enjoying it. Finn even befriended a rubber duck in the bath.Christoph convinced everyone to make a trip down to the freezing river to help their tired legs recover. Despite how unbelievably cold the water was, everyone jumped right in without hesitation.We had a big dinner of melted cheese and meats hence “cheese factory” which Lula and some of the others claimed to be the best meal yet. Next, we gathered for Moonup before heading off to bed. Although everyone was definitely feeling the miles by this point, it was amazing to see how close this group had become in just a few short days.
The next morning began with one final challenge before we even started hiking. We woke up early to catch the bus that would take us to our trailhead, but when it arrived, it was completely full. Instead of letting it ruin the day, we shrugged it off, laughed about it, and decided it was time for the “heel-toe express.” We simply started walking, adding a few extra miles onto an already big day.The trail that day was absolutely spectacular. We climbed through towering mountains, crossed beautiful alpine meadows, and were rewarded with breathtaking views around every corner. It truly felt like every hour somehow topped the one before it.One of the highlights of the day came when we officially crossed into Italy. Everyone immediately started greeting one another with enthusiastic “Buongiornos!” as we celebrated entering our third country of the trip. We stopped for lunch overlooking some incredible views before setting off for the final push. By the end of the day, we had covered nearly nineteen miles, making it by far our biggest hiking day of the entire trek. Watching every single student finish with smiles on their faces made us incredibly proud. They challenged themselves every single day, encouraged each other through every climb, and accomplished something that many people only dream about doing.
After finishing the Tour du Mont Blanc, we traded mountain huts for a hotel, and we don’t think anyone had ever been so excited to see real beds, private bathrooms, and long hot showers. It was exactly what everyone needed after several days on the trail. That evening we celebrated the only way that felt appropriate-with an enormous Italian dinner. Plates of pizza and pasta filled the tables, and after days of hiking through the Alps, everyone ate like absolute champions. The boys somehow still weren’t full and decided to order even more pizzas, which disappeared almost as quickly as they arrived.After dinner we gathered for another great Moonup before ending the night with one of our favorite group games called Pookie, which is essentially a giant game of trying not to laugh. The competition was fierce, but Finn somehow managed to outlast everyone and officially earned the title of reigning Pookie champion.The next morning we woke up to what may have been the best breakfast any of us had ever seen. After several days of mountain hut breakfasts, the incredible hotel buffet felt like five-star dining. Everyone loaded up their plates, making sure to take full advantage before beginning the journey back toward Chamonix.Before leaving, Christoph took us into town where, naturally, we somehow found ourselves eating ice cream before lunch. At this point we have accepted that no Moondance trip is complete without far more ice cream than anyone probably needs, and nobody seemed to mind one bit.We then boarded the bus back to Chamonix, where it felt surprisingly nice to return to our home away from home after spending so many days in the mountains. Once we arrived, everyone enjoyed one thing we had all been craving for quite some time: big, juicy hamburgers. After days of trail food, it definitely tasted like a little piece of home.The rest of the afternoon was exactly what everyone needed. Some people rested, others wandered around town one last time, and before long Sam had another game of hacky sack going outside while everyone else relaxed in the sunshine. It was the perfect way to reflect on everything we had accomplished together over the previous week.
Looking back on our time in Chamonix and on the Tour du Mont Blanc, we honestly could not be more proud of this group. They embraced every challenge with incredible attitudes, supported one another through every mile, and created friendships that have grown stronger every single day. Now, our next adventure awaits as we head south to Spain. After conquering the mountains, we’ll be trading hiking boots for swimsuits, beaches, kayaking, and a few days of well-earned relaxation along the Mediterranean. We cannot wait to see what this next chapter has in store. Until next time…
Safe Arrival!
July 3, 2026
Hello Chamonix Families!
We heard from our leaders this morning that the group has landed safely in Paris! The trip is off to a great start, and we cannot wait to hear more stories from their adventure as they prepare to begin their trekking section!
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
