New Traditions

Since moving to Tahoe, we haven't been able to spend the holidays with our families and we've been forced to start our own traditions.  They are actually pretty similar to everyone else's traditions but, we get to do it our way.

Thursday, we I cooked all day.  Mike went skiing for about an hour while I watched the parade and started preparing a FEAST!  We had a 17 lb. turkey for 3 people.  Mike and I had our friend and her 10 week old daughter over... her husband was working hard at the hospital on Thanksgiving day.  We had all the "turkey day" staples: turkey, stuffing, gravy, rolls, mashed potatoes, corn, sweet tea, and apple pie with vanilla icecream.  It was pretty yummy and I think we all had plenty to eat.  After dinner we packed up "to-go" plates for our friends in North Lake who had a baby EARLY that morning.  We drove up to Truckee to deliver the food and I got to hold their sweet baby girl who was only 16 hours old!  It was a great day full of food and baby love!!!

Friday has become our day to head out into the woods to select that most important of holiday symbols, the  Griswold  Madden family Christmas tree!  Like I mentioned last year, we are pretty picky when it comes to Christmas trees.  Every bike ride or hike we went on this summer we were looking for potential Christmas trees.  Mike actually saved 2 in his phone on a map so we could go check them out when it was time to cut one down.  We don't mess around.

I also mentioned last year that the trees out here are just different.  Not bad different, just not as full as those beautiful NC frasier firs.  I've really come to like these trees though.  You know it's real.  Even though it's not perfect it is SO beautiful when it's covered in white lights and ornaments.

Ok, so here is Mike's "how-to" cut a Christmas tree (Tahoe style):

Step 1: Buy a plastic sled from KMart.

Step 2: Load up the sled, 2 mountain bikes, the dog, and a backpack with rope and a saw.

Step 3: Drive to a snow park where you can park your truck, but can't drive back into the woods because the gate is locked for the season.

Step 4: Unload the bikes and ride ~ 2 miles into the woods.

Step 5: Select the MOST perfect tree ever and slowly and painfully saw it down with a hand saw.

Step 6: Stand over the fallen tree for several minutes trying to figure out how to tie it up to transport it out of the woods.

Step 7: Develop a stroke of genius and realize you can roll the tree on the ground while the other person guides the rope slowly up the tree... but do realized that the tree will roll in a gigantic circle.

Step 8: Load the tree onto the sled... tie the sled to the bike... and pedal hard to get back to the truck!

The sled is under there somewhere. 

Mike said it was the longest, flattest hill he's ever climbed!  

Step 9: Once you get home with the tree and you're starving from your adventure, get out all the leftovers from yesterday and feast again!

Step 10: Throw the sled away because it's trashed.

We had a blast this year!  After eating a big leftover lunch, we started trimming the tree which was an ongoing process.  It was super tall but it totally fit in our house... in terms of height.  However, when we undid the rope and the branches came down, it was truly like a Griswold Christmas tree... it took up the entire living room!  So, we had to cut ~1-2 ft off the bottom to get rid of the widest branches.  Now, it fits perfectly! 

I was doing good to get the lights on it on Friday, but I was just too tired to do the ornaments until Saturday.  I'm glad I waited though because we woke up Saturday morning to snow on the ground.  So, we slowly sipped our coffee and Mike made cinnamon french toast... I stayed in my snowflake PJ's until 10:30 and decorated the tree while we watched Christmas movies.  

After getting the rest of the decorations up, it was time for another big plate of leftovers while watching the NC State vs. Carolina game on tv.  And NC State killed it.  What a fantastic day!  

We are so blessed!!!  

No Snow November

This past week was my first full week as a physical therapist for Douglas County School District.  It was a good first week.  I cover all of the schools in the district (13 total) but I only have kids at 9 of the schools currently.  I have about 30 kids on my caseload and I will need to provide "make-up" services for kids who haven't been getting PT since the start of the year.  Plus, I have a big stack of referrals of new kiddos that need to be evaluated.  So, I will have PLENTY of work to do as I get started in this new job.  So far, I really like everyone I've met BUT I will really miss working with the same people on a regular basis.  I will be bouncing around between the different schools... kinda like I don't really "belong" anywhere.  However, once my schedule is set and I really start working with the kids, I think I will be happy.

Mike continues to be happy with his job.  He is enjoying his free time everyday and certainly makes the most of it (mountain biking).

In other news, Tahoe still has NO SNOW!  It hasn't been a great start to the snow season and the lake is insanely low!  Yesterday was windy and rainy as a cold front pushed in (unfortunately the moisture was ahead of the cold temps).  I'm seriously hoping that this winter is at least average in terms of snowfall.  We really need the precipitation and I would LOVE to know what a true winter is like in Tahoe!

Despite having NO SNOW... Mike and I went skiing today!  Most of the ski resorts have started making snow on a few runs.  We went to Heavenly today to ski the "white strip of death."  It's a super short run... it's the only run open... there were TONS of people out... the lift lines were long... and it was icy because of the rain yesterday.  Blah.  We met some friends on the gondola ride up which made it a little more fun but, overall it wasn't great skiing.  Oh well.

With Thanksgiving coming up this week, and having just been to Peru, I am so grateful for all the blessings in my life.  I feel so fortunate to be living this life.  I am so thankful for my amazing husband and our parents who are so supportive.  I'm grateful for the opportunities I've had. I'm grateful for my freedom and for those who sacrificed their lives for it (who I will never be able to thank). I'm grateful to have my health... and for a warm place to sleep each night... and for the food I eat each day.  Often I get very caught up in what I WANT (new ski boots... a new mountain bike... etc) that I forget that I already have so much MORE than I need.   I am sad that Mike and I won't be spending Thanksgiving with our families, but I hope they all know how thankful we are to have such wonderful people in our lives.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!!!!

PERU Part 2: Cusco & Machu Picchu

Our flight to Cusco left around 9:30 in the morning.  It was a short flight from the coast (Lima) to the Andes mountains.  Cusco is a city at 11,000 ft and we could really feel the difference after coming from sea level.  We were picked up by another guy named Cesar.  Cusco seemed to be a much cleaner city and the traffic was slightly less crazy.

When we arrived at the hotel we were offered Coca tea - it's made from coca leaves which are an essential part of making cocaine.  It's supposed to help with the altitude and we all happily sipped it down.  I can't really say that it made me feel any different, and I'm really not sure it did ANYTHING for the altitude.  Now, I just really hope I don't have a random drug test at my new job because I will fail.

Coca Tea

 After dropping off our luggage at the hotel and grabbing a quick bite to eat, we jumped back into the bus and began touring the ruins around Cusco.  We started at Saqsaywaman (pronounced "Saxy Woman").

Exactly how I picture Peru: llamas/alpacas, ruins, and mountains. 

 The most impressive part of the ruins was that they brought all of the rocks in from a quarry 20 miles away... and they did it all by manpower.  Then, they cut each stone and strategically placed each block.  They also left any large rocks that were naturally part of the landscape untouched.  They didn't mess with mother nature which is why they brought the rocks in from the quarry.  They also brought in soil to be able to have flat areas for festivals, etc.  

Looking down over Cusco.  

 Next stop was Q'enqo.  This area was used for mummification and animal sacrifices.  It was sheltered in a cave and the large rock alter was very cold to touch.  

In this area they also have a LARGE statue of Jesus that was given by Palenstine as a symbol for world peace.  

We walked around a cathedral in Cusco that had old Incan ruins inside.  There was a horrible earthquake many years ago that damaged the church but the ruins were completely unchanged.  The flat rocks are fit together so tightly that you can't insert anything between them.  They also didn't use mortar in these buildings (some did... but not these).  They used a double wall for significant buildings/temples.  The walls were angled and the windows/doors were trapezoids to prevent damage during earthquakes.  All the work was done by hand using hematite stone, hammers, occasionally chisels, and blocks of wood which they would wedge into cracks and then wet with water, allowing the wood to expand.  Pretty amazing. 

They cut some pieces with specific shapes that fit together to add strength to the buildings.  

Our tour guide, Fernando, realized we were all exhausted and took us back to the hotel.  We had about an hour to find dinner and then we had tickets to another dancing show at 6:30.  I walked down the street to a supermarket to get bottled water and bought a queso empanada for dinner.  It was delicious.  I loved being forced to use my limited Spanish skills to fend for myself around town.  

The show was more cultural, but less entertaining than the other show. 

The next morning, Jolyn and I walked around Cusco before our tour guide picked us up from the hotel.  We took pictures of the LARGE murals around town, and the many cathedrals which were so beautiful.   

It was a BEAUTIFUL mural up close... but with a LOT going on. 

Our tour guide picked us up at 8:00 and we headed to Pukapukara (another ruin site).  We stopped at a llama park to learn the difference between llama/alpaca, etc.  We also stopped in Pisaq to shop at the Indian markets... then in Urubamba at Alhambra restaurant for a buffet lunch... last stop was Ollantaytambo where we viewed more ruins before catching the train to Machu Picchu town. 

Alpaca... with dreads.  

Alpaca... again with dreads. 

ADORABLE alpacas. 

Llamas. 

Alpacas are used more for fur... llamas were used more for transport, etc.  This area had lots of demonstrations of all the intricate colorful weavings/fabrics and how they are made.  It was so impressive. 

Next stop: an overlook a the Sacred Valley. 

I snuck this next picture from the bus: 2 adorable little girls in native Quechua dress. 

After shopping in Pisaq and lunch at Alhambra Restaurant, we made it to Ollantaytambo.  This was an impressive ruins site.  Unfortunately, it was raining, but that didn't stop us from walking around.  

We spent a LITTLE too long taking it all in, and we NEARLY missed our train.  Luckily, the train station was about a 10 min walk/run in the rain.  We barely made it on time.  The closed the doors immediately behind us.  

The train ride was a little over an hour.  It followed the Sacred River all the way to Aquas Calientes, the town where Machu Picchu is located. 

You can get off the train before the town if you are hiking the Inka trail.  It takes 4 days to hike from this point to Machu Picchu. 

Aquas Calientes is an ADORABLE town.  There are no cars allowed in the town at all.  The only way in is to hike or take the train.  There are buses, but only to take people up and down from Machu Picchu.  The town is small and it's easy to walk from one end to the other.  This area borders the Amazon rainforest and things were very lush and green.  It was misty and humid.  I absolutely loved this town!  

It was late afternoon when we arrived at our hotel.  I wasn't hungry but I joined 2 other ladies for a walk around town.  We stopped for a drink and shared a Pisco Sour (45% alcohol).  It's a Peruvian drink made of Pisco liquor, lime juice, and egg whites (like meringue).  It was delicious (and powerful). 

Yummy Pisco Sour

The next morning, some of us woke up around 4:00 am to have breakfast and make it to the bus stop by 5:00 ish.  The first bus left at 5:30 am to catch the sunrise at Machu Picchu.  When we got to the bus stop there was a HUGE line.  It was totally worth it though.  We arrived at a perfect time.  Just as the sun was coming up over the mountains and shining light on the ruins of Machu Picchu.  

In the distance there were snow covered peaks visable and the early morning sun made them stand out against the blue sky.  The picture doesn't capture the beauty of it. 

We had about an hour and a half to walk around on our own, then we headed back to the gate to meet up with the rest of our group and our tour guide Esmeralda.  Once we were all reunited, we walked through the urban section of the ruins (where the homes, schools, temples, etc are located).  The other sector of the ruins were terraces for agriculture and storehouses.  

Looking at the agricultural sector, from the urban sector. 

They had roofs made of straw.  They collapsed when the
ruins were abandoned by the Incas. 

The semicircular building is the temple of the sun.
Tourists can not enter it anymore because it is geologically unstable?
I read that somewhere. 

Notice the curved rock in the corner. 

The main temple.  The collapse on the right side is due to the ground sinking. 

Intiwatana; believed to be a sundial and to provide energy. 

Inca stairs. 

 There really aren't words or pictures that accurately describe Machu Picchu.  It was a magical experience.  One I will never forget.  Despite how awesome it was, I left around 11:30ish to come back down to Aguas Calientes town.  I was exhausted and it was SO hot.  I could feel myself getting sunburned on my face and my clothes were sticking to me.  I really, really, REALLY just wanted to sit down in a cool place for a while.  So, I took the bus back down with a few other people, grabbed a sandwich, a diet coke, and a small piece of Peruvian chocolate from a small store and sat in the cool, dark lobby of the hotel to eat.  It was great. 

After lunch, I was feeling a little refreshed and decided to walk around Aquas Calientes.  I had a LOT of Peruvian Soles leftover (their currency) so I shopped at some of the local stores and indian markets.  I bought an awesome book about Machu Picchu and Inka history.  After a few hours of taking in the awesome little town, I headed back to the hotel which is right on the river.  They have a back patio overlooking the river and I sat there under the canopy reading until time to leave for the train.  

Sights around Aguas Calientes: 

The flag of Cusco. 

That evening we took the train back to Ollantaytambo where our bus driver Issac picked us up.  We got back to Cusco LATE that night.  I was too tired to shower (even though I was so gross).  The next morning we were able to sleep in a little bit.  We left at 11:00 for the airport to fly back to Lima.  We had an 11 hour layover in Lima and Cesar, our dear friend/tour guide offered to cook us all dinner!  We took a bus to his house (with all of our luggage).  He had the table beautifully set and had made fresh ceviche as an appetizer, we had a main dish of seasoned fish, rice, and yuca (similar to potato) and chicha (a purple corn drink).  Dessert was a passionfruit cake.  He went WAY over the top!  It was so delicious!  I can't thank him enough.  That was so much better than sitting in the airport for 11 hours.  

We all had late (or should I say EARLY) flights so we spent time hanging out in the airport until the last minute.  Saying goodbye to this group of people was really hard.  We learned a lot about each other, some things were very personal.  We  developed such a strong bond in such a short time.  

We boarded our flight at about 1:30 am and I crashed.  I got a window seat in an exit row (LOTS of leg room).  I put my eye shades on, got comfy with my pillows and blankets, and fell asleep before take off.  I woke up when they told me to put my seat back up as we were coming into LA!  8 hours and 20 minute flight and I slept the WHOLE way.  I had a 4 hour layover in LA which gave me plenty of time to get through customs, get some breakfast, get to my gate, and read my Machu Picchu book.  

I finally arrived in Reno around 2:00 pm, ~28 hours after starting the journey home from Cusco.  As awesome as the trip was, I was extremely happy to get home to my husband and dog.  After a long hot shower and several loads of laundry, I finally started to feel clean again!  

The trip was awesome.  I'm so blessed to have had this opportunity.  Sorry for the long posts but I took 728 pictures while on the trip, so believe me, the posts could have been longer!  

I'd love to tell anyone about this trip if they want more information re: the outreach,etc.  Feel free to contact me!  I'm always happy to talk more about it!  :)