VercorsSaint Sylvestre à la fraîche

That almost-week was supposed to be all about spending new year’s eve snowshoe hiking, but with no snow in sight, we switched gears to just plain regular-shoe hiking instead. Honestly, thirty minutes in, we’d forgotten all about that.

Each day, we would trek through the stunning trails, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Vercors, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, taking in the clean air, glorious landscape and the quiet all the while searching for traces of wolves (of which we found a few footprints… damn those guys seem huge!).

Afterwards, we’d return to our mountain refuge, where the simplicity of life really hit home. With no electricity (apart from headlamps or flashlights), no heating (apart from a big-ass wood stove), no running water (apart from that which we’d go get from a spring right outside the refuge), no toilets (apart from dry toilets a few dozen meters outside, in almost-freezing temperatures) and no cellular network (apart from… well, no, nothing actually), it was a chance to unplug and reconnect with nature — and connect with each other. Gathering around the fire each evening, we shared stories and laughter as well as wine made from not-so-long-ago-forbidden varietals, creating warm memories that I will cherish forever. The camaraderie among the dozen of us grew quickly, as we bonded over our shared experiences and the cozy atmosphere of our rustic refuge.

As I look back on this trip, I’m filled with a deep sense of gratitude. The Vercors was more than just a destination; it was a beautiful reminder of the power of nature and a simple life to bring people together. And no, I didn’t cry on the drive home (that’s not true)