I took mine out to look at it. I remember there being quotes in it. I was thinking they were quotes about travel, like the title of this post. But they aren't, they are patriotic quotes and the pages are beautiful too. They are full of American symbols and iconic scenery from across the country.
I love my country. I love my passport. I love to travel.
The train she was talking about was taking us from a town called Aguas Calientes, a village at the bottom of Machu Picchu, to another village in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This was our once in a lifetime trip to Machu Picchu. Dreamed of for....oh....I don't know....20 some years? Maybe 30? Not on Madison's part, of course, but certainly Troy's.
And among the people on this train were Madison and Carrie Smith, Troy, Kalyn, me and the other members of our tour group. We had hiked the Inca Trail for 4 days all the way to Machu Picchu, then taken a bus down the mountain to the village and spent the night. We returned the next day to tour Machu Picchu, then we were taking a train from there to the Sacred Valley, where we would transfer to a bus that would take us back to Cusco, where it all started.
Where it all started.......
When Troy and I were first together, back in 1989, we took a trip to the Grand Canyon. We rafted the lower section for a week and then hiked out. I remember Troy talking about Machu Picchu back then. He is a lover of archaeology and also outdoor activities, like hiking out of canyons. And rafting, camping, and geology.
Many years later we went to India, when Kalyn was 4 years old, so it was 2000. We went for his brother Travis' wedding. I remember Troy talking to people then about his desire to go to Machu Picchu and hike the Inca Trail.
About 5 years ago I planned a trip to Slovenia. He was very interested in his heritage, and we had learned this was where his ancestors had come to America from. I was very excited about the trip as was he (and Kalyn also got to go with us on that one) but he did express to me one night before we left that he wished it was Machu Picchu. I remember thinking "D'oh!"
And then Carrie told me last year that she had asked Madison where she wanted to go for her high school graduation trip and she expressed an interest in going to South America, maybe Peru. I saw this as my opportunity to finally fulfill that dream and invited our family to go along. Minus Alina, who is just not old enough yet. Carrie and I have traveled together before, lots of times actually. Troy was totally on board going together so the planning and budgeting began!
I worked extra, Troy worked extra, we planned, we shopped for the perfect hiking gear, and for a good year we built excitement for our trip to Peru. I booked it back in October.
It did not disappoint! It was a fabulous trip! I feel like I could take on the world after completing the Inca Trail hike and I have said that to many people this week.
I started school on Monday. It's a busy week. I am making this my first installment on my blog about our trip. I will continue tomorrow with actual documentation of our travels, including pictures, of course.
Oh, alright......I'll leave one tonight.
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