The Gorges du Vernon: A camera really can’t capture it, I think I need the newest IPhone.

That is the ocean at the horizon and the mountains really looked like folds of green velvet. (Gourdon)

Not a bad spot for enjoying an amazing meal. Wish I could have slipped the tablecloth into my backpack.

I had researched a dozen places I wanted to visit on the way to Moustiers, each requiring about a one hour drive. So we picked one, which was questionable to me as it seemed a bit touristy and we hate to be associated with what we are, but we went there and it was wonderful. The sun came out, the food was great (coq au vin and trout something —lots of almonds involved), the views were stunning. It couldn’t get better than this I thought… but it did! (Best of all we had a hot goat cheese salad—even Brant loved it.)

Driving there was a little bit of a challenge, keep in mind this is a 2 lane road with a very steep drop on the left. At least we weren’t driving a trailer!

We began driving though the Gorges —spectacular. Honestly kind of indescribable at my level of writing skill. I will just have to use lots of pics, but even these can’t capture the way the beauty surrounds you. We found our other half of our “duplex”from that I think was built in the 1700s in the middle of a pasture next to a river with donkeys circling the place. The owner got a little excited when we zipped right past her into the pasture as we didn’t know where we were going. Fortunately we don’t understand French and Brant’s Baja training has made him a pro at managing dirt roads and pastures…even when driving an Ibiza.

The red building on the left was where we stayed. And that road is definitely a dead end.

..because I know how to make friends, just feed them, applies to donkeys and people.

And after a long drive so nice to soak in a tub

…and relax on our terrace. Honestly I think we had about 50 acres all to ourselves… well plus the donkeys.

The next day we did further driving/hiking into the gorge. This was beauty on the Yosemite level and more—truly stunning. At times I was disappointed by the clouds but at other times it made the light even more unique. There were no crowds anywhere—-as Brant said just enough people to make you feel it was ok to be there.

It describes this as being instagrammable and I agree. They have electric boats you can rent….next time.

I love how descriptive these signs were…”There is thick mud in the bottom, you might get stuck and be unable to get out”. This was about the only sign I saw (or menu) that was also in English in this region. We saw no divers.

This is the end of the gorge, where the river widens and dumps into the lake. The water color is really unbelievable.

I took the above picture from that bridge and then we drove up to the rim of the canyon where I took this pic.

While the gorge was spectacular the town of Moustiers was a surprise as well. There was little english spoken but a woman who walked by us said—this is like f**kin Disney land! I have to agree it was almost over the top. The town clung to side of the hill with a creek cutting through the middle with the prerequisite cute bridges. And the pottery was unique and so well done —next time I will go back with a piece of luggage just for the ceramics. (Don’t tell Brant).

Like all these towns, lousy for parking, wonderful for wandering.

There is a small creek that goes down through the middle of the town and emerges through the arches of the bridge. Someone strung a big star in the middle of the gorge between the cliffs—just imagine it. My new phone will have better detail.

So many pictures, so difficult to choose so just close the blog when you get bored. It is so nice when you find something that looks great on the web and it truly is…. Lots of pics because I don’t want to forget this crazy beautiful place. Would we come back? Absolutely, 3 nights was not enough.

Easy to see why hiking is difficult in this area.

We had a picnic right here on these rocks—what a view!

Then we looked down and saw there was a trail. It is the Blanc-Martel Trail and leaves from Point Sublime

There were many stairs but this man who looked in his 50s or so was helping his mom (guessing) who looked in her late 80s or possibly 90s up the stairs. It was pretty amazing to see her determination using her cane and his elbow to make her way up many many stairs. He gave us one of those “it was her idea smiles as passed by”.

It was a well made trail that followed the river and was not crowded at all. Perhaps a dozen other hikers?

I took this pic from a window that had been cut into the wall of the tunnel. Looking back you could see why they needed a tunnel here.

Kid you not! We walked through 0.6 miles of tunnel! Pitch black without the handy iPhone.

People do whitewater rafting here…next time! (Maybe)

Yes those are limes and margaritas on my hat. The French have been impressed with my sense of style.

It was great trail because you would come around a corner and this would be in front of you… there were signs that warned against swimming in the river but we believe we saw some folks headed out for a swim in this 51 degree water….

And just when you thought nothing could surprise you…. You come around another corner and see this. I think I figured it out. I think she was pregnant and announcing a baby girl . (She kept leaping up into the air. It made me very nervous.

After a hike, even if you preceded it with a picnic, you need snacks. This was the perfect spot.

This man who looked like and elderly Einstein was making pizzas from scratch. He was a riot and we manage to pull off getting a pizza with perfect sign language. (There could be a reason that English speakers sign up for guided tours). When done Einstein ran across this very busy road to our table. Seriously was like being in a dream….

The pizzas were made in this stone house and brought across the road to these tables on about a 5 ft wide cliff. We had gone by when it was very busy but lucked out this time. It was excellent pizza too

There is yet another road that takes you up to another rim, the highest point. The eagles and I think vultures as well have decided that it’s a good spot to nest. As we pulled into one of the viewpoints the eagles were swooping down into the parking lot. It felt like I could reach out and touch them. I was too amazed to open my camera (let me tell you that is very amazed).

Here is an eagle swooping down through the canyon. I guess they were catching thermals. It looked like they were having fun but we were told they were getting food for their young.

We could see this nest from the viewpoint. Mom and dad are there with their kids. When they would leave the babies would screech and it echoed through the canyon.

Brant is demonstrating the terrible crowding at the overlooks.

I was sad to leave here. In fact I think Brant took this pic because he knew I made up an excuse to go back and check one more time for forgotten objects so I could actually spend another minute here. The pic is foreshadowing because sadly I left that black linen shirt in Bordeaux which I bought in Portugal—-ah well after staying at 19 places you are bound to screw up somewhere!