Sunday, 07-July-2024


I had some time before my Mom and Steve arrived in France, but I frankly wasn’t feeling super energetic… so instead of trying for a big hike like I had the day before with Mount Pugot I went easy and just took a stroll into Les Calanques, the national park right up against Cassis.

It was a walk that I’d taken quite a few times in 2014, taking the trail up to the rock climbing areas that my friends and I explored and scaled, and it was interesting walking those same paths again ten years later. They felt vaguely familiar, though I could definitely tell that I’m a different person now than I was back when I first set foot on them.

I’ll admit, the lack of 50lbs of rock climbing gear definitely helped my mood too.

I’ll also admit, the bajillion degree day didn’t help my mood all that much, though… It wasn’t bad, per say, but it was definitely a challenge that kept me sticking to the shadows as I ascended and descended the various hills.

A really cool part about Les Calancques near Cassis, and Cassis itself in fact, is just how worn the marble is. (I am learning now that it may not actually be marble… but a form of limestone that wears down super smooth?) Basically, it’s like walking on an ice rink in many places… which is kind of fun in town, but on the steeper sections of the hiking trails it definitely adds an interesting challenge aspect to the descents.

As I walked, I enjoyed the memories coming back to me. I appreciated the quiet, and I embraced the calm surrounding me… in the sea of tourists and chaotic people heading to and from the various beaches that the trail lead to.

It was lovely. Absolutely lovely, and a perfect start into my (our!) adventures in Cassis.