Adventures in Peru

Our journey today takes us through the Sacred Valley. As we head out of Cusco, Santiago plays the Beatles' The Long and Winding Road, and it's just perfect.

First stop: a llama farm. We feed the llamas and alpacas who obviously like us better than the guy behind us because they immediately spit on him. We move along just in case they think he's …

Today is the day! We're on our way to Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu for gosh sakes! After breakfast we take the train from Ollyantaytambo to Aquas Calientes. The train ride itself is beautiful. No matter where you look, something takes your breath away.

Santiago wisely suggests that we refuel with lunch before heading up the mountain to Machu …

We're up at 5 a.m. to pack and catch the first bus back to Machu Picchu. This morning we're hiking up to Intipunku, the Sun Gate. It's Mother's Day and I can't help but think of my own mother as we climb. She visited here 30 years ago and inspired me to want to see it too. I can't wait to get home and share this experience with her. In the …

Today is the longest and saddest day of the trip. Cusco to Lima to Miami to Dallas to Seattle for one of us, Cusco to Lima to Miami to Chicago to Little Rock for the other. To add insult to injury, we have eight hours to kill in the Lima airport but pass the time looking back at our journals and reliving this adventure.

We also indulge in a …

Almost home. As I look at all the fresh people on my flight, the ones who showered this morning and look and smell better than me, I comfort myself with the secret knowledge that 48 hours ago they weren't hiking the Inca Trail to the Sun Gate. Then I put in my ear buds and listen to Here Comes the Sun all the way home.

Two hours after I land at …