A few weekends ago we enjoyed another little hike in our area - Bommer's Canyon. We were busy all day relaxing and doing errands so we didn't manage to make it out for the hike until it was close to sunset. It made for a beautiful blue glow on the grassy canyon and the perfect light, cool breeze for our walk. We started out on the path laid out through the canyon, but I was itching to hike and so we left the path and headed up one of the hills. We climbed through sharp, dry grass, several old, abandoned barb wire fences and prickly pear bushes until we got as far up as we could without losing all the light of day. Here are a few shots from our little adventure. 

For a leisurely walk and a little adventure off the path, Bommer's Canyon was perfect. 

The Last Of Our Travels

  Our last and final post about our summer travels. On the one hand it is sad to feel the adventure is completely over now that photos are polished, organized and posted. On the other hand it is SO exciting to feel free to start sharing about our everyday, ordinary adventures here in Cali. So here it is, the last of our travels in 2013.

On our way out of France, we stopped in a gorgeous little town called Annecy. It is set against the French Alps and the closest we ever got to those magnificent mountains. We had planned on spending three days in Switzerland where we would hike the Matterhorn, but we just ran out of time! So we stopped here instead. The first morning we arrived, Landon and I got up early for a morning swim! I chickened out with it being still so cold that morning, but enjoyed just soaking in the unreal experience we were shortly leaving behind. 

This is one of my favorite photos from our trip (minus the sand on the lens). It took us forever to capture with our little gorilla pod wobbling on the floating dock, but i love it! We were really there. And we were so in love. I love remembering how this trip was full of time where we were the only people around for miles and miles. And other times where we were in the middle of the largest crowds and still in a kiss, or Landon's arms we felt like it was just the two of us. This man is my dearest friend and I could not have asked for anything more than to explore and experience the world with him.

I have never before seen such crisp and translucent water in all my life. We are sitting above 8-10 feet of water here and it looks like a foot or less because you can see straight to the bottom. That gorgeous Alp water felt like we were in a fairy land. 

Landon on his swim. It was pretty cold! You can't see it here clearly, be he could barely breathe the water was so cold. 

Landon had to finish up some work at the hotel after our swim and I went exploring the medieval town. 

Then I went back to grab Landon and we were off for another swim! 

Unfortunately the clear skies and warm sun went away as soon as we changed into our suits and instead a large storm passed us by. We didn't want to lose any time so we decided to swim in the storm! Below you can see the storm clouds coming over the mountains. 

And the choppy water. 

And then the sun came out once more.

After we got our fill of swimming we drove to Geneve, Switzerland so that we could catch a small glimpse of that gorgeous country! We walked around the city, admiring how clean and beautiful it was. And were blown away by the city's central river! I have lived in many cities with rivers running through them before like London, Paris, Washington DC, Dublin etc. but never before have I seen a clean city river. This water was like the water in Annecy! You could see straight to the bottom and it looked so crisp all you wanted to do was dive right in and  drink it! 

We were absolutely in love with their water spouts where you could gobble up fresh water from the Alps. I have never tasted anything so good!

Even their money sparkled it was so clean! I couldn't believe it!

In the evening we wandered around a little carnival on the banks of the river and ate the most marvelous ice cream, Swiss Movenpick. 

The next day we drove into Marseille to drop of the car and take a plane to Barcelona. The last leg of our trip. I knew I would miss seeing rolling hills and castles from the car window.

Barcelona we were in for less than 24 hours and we were pretty tired. So we grabbed some groceries for lunch at the beach and went swimming for hours. 

After a long nap we went out for dinner in the city - Paella and shrimp. 

So delicious.

The next morning we flew back to the states. While we were in line for customs in Philly I cried. I couldn't help it. Everything I want my life to embody is so easy to do with the support of European culture. Their way of life is what I dream my life to be like. I missed it dearly and couldn't wait to go back. Someday soon I hope. 

Our travels summed up:

Weeks of Travel: 4.5

Countries Visited: 7

Cities Visited: 49

Museums: 2

Roman Ruins: 2

Live Music Listening: 5

Hikes: 9

Swims: 9

Bodies of Water Swam In: 5

Castles: 16

Trains:18

Buses: 6

Planes: 10

Ferries: 2

Bikes: 1

Canoe:1

Paddleboards: 1

Cars: 2

Camping Days: 7

Nights Slept In Car: 2

Days Without Dinner: 5

Days Without Breakfast and Lunch: 8

Sunburns: 3

Mosquito Bites: 7

Gelato Scoops: 34

We are so grateful we had such an life-defining experience. 

Chartres and Giverny

On our way to Paris we drove through Chartres and Giverny. Chartres is one of the most magnificent cathedrals in the world. It has some of the most beautiful and largest stained glass windows and a nave that seems to reach the heavens it is so tall! The city of Chartres is absolutely surreal as well. It seems to take you back hundreds of years with every step closer to the city center. 

Gorgeous little medieval streets wind up a large hill to where the city square and cathedral are set. 

On our way to Giverny, we picked up probably my favorite thing in France - yogurt! Oh but this is not just any yogurt. And to even compare it to what we have in the states would be blasphemy! In order to describe just how amazing this French cuisine is, I have to first give a little breakdown of French Yogurt. French yogurt has a hierarchy you can determine by its packaging. And as opposed to much of our perspective in the states, what is more modern in packaging is actually of lesser value. More modern yogurt is made quickly and packaged cheaply in plastic cups like what we have with Yoplait and Dannon so that it is economical to consume on a regular basis. It is still better than anything you would find in the states but it is at the very bottom of the yogurt hierarchy. After plastic comes glass.  Glass jars of yogurt maintain a little more of the artisan crafting of yogurt but still with a modern sense of production. They are so delicious and keep you wanting more and more. But at the very top of the hierarchy is the most prized French yogurt packaged in beautifully hand crafted ceramic dishes. I swear this yogurt uses the same processes the French used to make yogurt when they first discovered they could.  And I'm sure the cows that make this yogurt graze in pastures with ruins of roman castles and feed on french baguettes all day (well maybe not baguettes...) Anyways it is the most divine culinary experience indulging in these little jars of yogurt and if you ever go to France, I promise you it is a must!

Giverny was a stop we made just for me. I passed on the extension trip to these gardens when I was on my study abroad in France and regretted it ever since. Giverny is the home of Monet's gardens and where he painted his infamous water lilies.  To walk among his flowers was like walking in his paintings. The colors were as bright, as captivating as beautiful as every one of his brush strokes. It felt too beautiful to be real. We saw his studio, his little house and of course we spent hours walking up and down his gardens. 

This is the famous bamboo glade. 

And his water lilly pond. 

And in the distance you can see the famous Jade bridge. 

I loved every minute.