Gorges Ardèche

Have you heard of the Ardèche region of France? Me neither, until my friend, Constance, invited me to her wedding there. It's in the west and marked by winding paths through the incredible gorges. You really need a car to enjoy this region so you can explore the valleys and crags to their fullest. My mother and I spent an entire day just driving along the highway and admiring the picturesque towns we passed through and discovering the natural beauty. 

Wearing: gap shorts hand-downs, thrifted floral blouse, bed stu brand loafers from Bridge Boutique, vintage sunnies.

In France, lunchtime is over by 2 PM. Restaurants usually close by then, and reopen later for dinner. Our jet lagged tummies rumbling at 3, we had no real hope of finding an open restaurant along the sparsely populated Ardèche gorges, but the trees parted to reveal this precious little spot tucked away along the winding highway. It's called Auberge du Pouzat. To our surprise and good fortune, the kind owner and waitress (and adorable dog) welcomed us. We had some cold white wine and toasted to our delicious salad and our good luck. 

The pies were of course staring at us the entire time, and when the waitress told me the cherries had been picked from her own garden that very morning, we couldn't resist. 

Kind of like we couldn't resist these eyes that said "throw my bone ONE more time?" 

If you'd like to travel in Ardèche, here is some useful vocabulary for you: 

Un carafe du vin rouge/blanc/rosé - a small pitcher of wine. Trust me, you want a small pitcher! SOOO inexpensive and good! Just be careful driving along the cliffs!

Grottes - caves... Famous naturally forming underground masterpieces, really worth a visit.

Carte - map. Get one. Learn to read it. Foreal doe.

"Ça vous a plu?" Servers might say this to you. It means "did you enjoy it?" Say "oui" or "ça m'a plu" if you like a challenge. 

Shoes for Europe (English and French!)

It's weird the way it happens. But I turned 26 and awoke one morning to discover I SUDDENLY cared about shoe support and durability. I guess I really am getting older, but I really can't tolerate the flimsy, cheap, supportless shoes of my past. I picture walking for a day on cobblestones in one of the thin (but cute) pairs I got in China and my mind instantly cringes at the foot and back ache to follow. Quick, someone get me a bag of knitting and some chamomile tea! No really, that sounds delicious and a thrilling way to pass a few hours...

I guess I'm not TOO old and boring because this whole topic came up thanks to a trip to Europe this summer. I have the immense privilege of attending the wedding of my French BFF as well as spending over a month frolicking across the continent and visiting friends and places familiar and new.

But what shoes shall I wear?

I went to R.E.I. with my dad's $17.00 rebate in my hand during their 20% off sale and promptly fell in love with TWO pairs of shoes for Europe. Keen Emerald City on top and Patagonia Maha Breathe on bottom. The Keens were exactly what I had come in for: supportive sandals I could walk all day in without running the danger of being mistaken for a whitewater rafter. The Patagonia's were as light and breathable as sandals and the perfect plain flat to go with anything. I tried to buy both til I realized R.E.I's 20% only applied to one item... and we're talking two pairs of $90.00 shoes here. I wept as I replaced the Patagonias back in their box and whispered "I'll find you online!" and bought my first pair of Keens. I made this choice based on positive recommendations of Keen-loving friends and some online reviews warning that the Patagonias fall apart quickly and gave some reviewers bad heel blisters. I have not had much success finding them affordable online :(

As soon as a sunny sandal-friendly weekend rolled around, I took my $90.00 Keens that I had bought for $55.00 (sorry was I bragging?) for a test drive. I walked all over the city, including to my local Ace Hardware, where I impulsively bought the materials to start an herb garden. I'm happy to report, my Keens passed the Shoes for Europe test with flying colors.

Wearing:

Skirt from Aerie

White T hand me down from friend

Denim jacket hand me down from friend

Glasses from random gas station in Louisiana

I give these Keens a 9/10 for comfort, support, and attractiveness. Can't wait to set them loose in Europe this summer!

Do you have any exciting trips planned? What are your special MUST BRINGS for travel?

***************************************************************************

Please excuse me as I practice my rusty French... Francophones, please feel free to correct and advise me on my language! Merci!! 

C’est bizarre comment il arrive. Mais j’avais mon 26e anniversaire, et le matin prochaine, je me suis réveillée et TOUT DE SUITE je trouve que le support et le qualité des chaussures est important. Peut-être je suis vraiment grandi, mais je ne peux pas accepter les chaussures bonne marches, mal fait et sans soutien comme quand j’étais plus jeune. Quand j’imagine les promenades dans les vieux villes pavés, j’ai peur de la mal au pieds et mal au dos qui suit. Vite, quelqu’un donne-moi mon tricot et du thé de camomille! Vraiment, ça a l’aire délicieux et divertant!

Peut-être je ne suis pas TROP vieille et terne, parce que ce sujet est monté grâce à une voyage en Europe cette été. Je suis très contente d’assister la marriage de ma BFF française et aussi voyager partout sur le continent European pour voir les amis et les places vieux et nouveaus.

Mais questce que je vais porter comme chaussures?

Je suis allée à REI avec $17.00 crédit pendant leur 20% rabais. Je suis tombée tout de suite dans l'amour avec deux paires de chaussures pour Europe. Keen Emerald City haut and Patagonia Maha Breathe bas. Les Keens c’était exactement ce que je cherche: sandales confortables pour marcher partout sans ressembler à un canoteur d'eau vive. Les Patagonias était léger et les chaussures parfaits pour aller avec n’importe quoi. J’ai voulu acheter les deux, mais le rabais c’était pour UNE chose… et les chaussures coûtent $90! Donc, j’ai pleuré et j’ai dit “au revoir, je vous trouverai sur l’internet!” à les Patagonias et j’ai acheté mes premiers Keens! J’ai choisi les Keens à cause des revues negatives de les Patagonias. Je n’ai pas encoure les trouvée à bon marché sur l’internet.

Aussitôt qu’il fait beau, j’ai fait un examen avec mes Keens de $90.00 que j’ai achetée pour $55.00 (je suis désolé, je me vante). J'ai marché partout et j’ai acheté des herbs pour un nouveau jardin. Je suis très fier de vous dire que les Keens ont réussi leur examen bellement!

Je porte:

Jupe de Aerie

T-shirt d’une amie

Veston d’une amie

Lunettes de soleil d’une station-service à Louisiana

Les Keens a gagné 9/10 pour le confort, le soutien, et le style. J’ai hâte de les porter en Europe cette été!

Est-ce que vous avez les projets pour voyager? Qu’est ce que vous DEVEZ amener pendant les voyages?