20120708

For Sunday July 9th


 The family's last day on the trail. Jeanni and a llama.

 Paddy and Joseph.


 Frank following behind Kelsey and Jeanni.


The goal is reached, Machu Picchu.


Sacking out after showers,
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Congratulations to our hardy relatives.

20120706

for Saturday July 7




 Mimi and Gary have been working at the "Ranch". Gary wrestled this stump out of the
ground with the small hoe in the middle picture. Amazing. Their place is slowly becoming a show place. Sorta like the Stanley Ave farm.
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That is Julia up front on the rubber raft. It looks like wild water with little room to maneuver. This could be in Colorado. Exciting times.

20120705

for Friday July 7th


On a rock on top of the world, Paddy and Kelsey.

 Crossing over a pass, our hardy band pauses for a photo. Not shown, but probably there pray mounds of rocks, and flags.


" Dad
Thanks for being interested in our travels.  This 50 miles we are hiking are so incredibly beautiful.  The terrain is constantly changing.  We were so excited to reach the pass.  It's 15,280 above sea level.  I thought we wouldn't ever get there.  The group picture is with our Muleteer, his name is Elvis, he is seventeen and doesn't speak any English.  The boys play soccer with him at night.   Paddy and Frank have taught him how to throw a football.  He hasn't ever seen one before.  The man on the far right is our main guide.  He has been doing this for 25 years.   Jeanni"
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Here is Gary taking five at work at the Gibson Ranch. A runaway dog has adopted Mimi and him. Dog's name is Missie.
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20120704

for Thursday July 5th


 Family doing serious trekking. Kelsey, Frank, Jeanni, Paddy, and Joe.


 He is hard to see, Joe standing on a rock.


 Another climber standing on a rock, Joe. Year?
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Mr. Google reads all my emails and blogs. Seemingly out of the blue, up pops an advertisement for a 65 days Everest Expedition. Starting at $55,075. Maybe Frank has it on his bucket list already.

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"This is an amazing adventure.  I know it is something the kids won't ever forget.  We start to go down to a lower altitude tomorrow.  It's a long hike, but not as steep.  It's almost easier to go uphill since its easy to slip going down."   Jeanni

20120703

for Wednesday July 4th


41st St. Parade
 Awhile ago. Zuzick is just a puppy. Annie a young dog. Today Zuzick is showing her age and Annie is very close to being put down.

Our travers will bring home some tales about this road.

20120702

For Tuesday July 3rd.


 A couple of years ago, Joe came to town and worked in clay. He is with Andre.


 This summer Joe is expected again for more lessons.


Here is Joe on the turning wheel.

20120701

for Monday July 2nd


 Payton with her Best Buddy. Thanks Patti.
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 The Jeanni and Frank family explore the Andes. Jeanni has on running shoes, the rest have boots.

 Inca Trail from google.

Trail map. Our trekkers took a longer version of this. One pass was 13700 ft. That is a long way up to very thin air and then down, then up to 12,500ft..
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Hi Dad
What an adventure.  We thought the hikes would be a bit easier, but we are hanging in there .  When we saw the lodge after a six hour hike we were so happy.  Food has never tasted so good and a shower never felt better.  The first few days I tried to keep everyone organized, but now we are focused on just getting through the hikes.. We are wearing dirty clothes, using each others toothbrushes,  drying off with wet towels, I'm even wearing franks deodorant, since mine disappeared.
Tomorrow will be a challenging hike.  It's around nine hours and the first half is uphill.  There are eight of us plus three guides and a horse that carries water and oxygen.  The other group is from Austria and we try to go faster than them.  So far we have won each hike.

We aren't on the Inca trail.  We are going around it.  It adds an extra 25 miles!
I'll keep you posted when I have Internet service.  Love   Jeanni