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The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu climbing up to Salkantay Pass

February 28, 2026February 28, 2026

The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: Hiking over the Salkantay Pass

The third day of the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is by far the most challenging day of the entire hike, taking you up a series of switchbacks to reach the Salkantay Pass, the highest point of the trek at 15.213 feet/4636m. This is the biggest test for hikers to see how well they have acclimatized to the high altitude. Yet in my opinion, it is one of the most rewarding days of the journey for its awe-inspiring views and feeling of accomplishment.

We rose early after a fabulous dinner at the Salkantay Lodge, Mountain Lodges of Peru’s hallmark lodge in Soraypampa. Since we were traveling with Mountain Lodges of Peru (MLP), we would be the only hikers ascending to the pass on foot, since MLP is the only outfitter that has accommodations in Wayraccmachay, a plateau located three hours after reaching the pass. There are no campgrounds there so everyone else hiking normally ascends the pass on horseback and then continues past Wayraccmachay to the next village, where we would hike the following day.

For us, it was magnificent because it meant we would have the entire trail to ourselves for two days. As an avid hiker, this is a very special treat!

We started our hike at 7 am and were blessed with an absolutely stunning day. Had it been cloudy, we would have seen nothing.

We were incredibly lucky to have surreal views of the snow-capped Humantay Peak.

As we climbed up, our lungs pounded as we acclimatized to the higher altitude. We circled Humantay Peak, with stunning views of expansive plateaus connected by enormous boulders, and remnants of the Rio Blanco Valley.

I felt really good and did not take altitude pills since I have not had any issues before with altitude. However, it was a challenge for my daughter as she had never been this high before and was struggling with her breathing. We took it slow, stopping frequently to catch our breath and take photos. The views were so spectacular that it helped.

We reached the pass around 11:30 am, taking 4.5 hours (with a half-hour stop for a snack before the final push). It was an exhilarating feeling to stand at the top of the highest point of the hike with my daughter. I was so proud of her! Especially since she has been suffering from unexplained migraines and lightheadedness for several months. Even her doctor, treating her for this condition, was amazed.

Clouds coming over the mountains at the pass. We timed it right as it would cloud up soon taking away the stunning views of the mountains

After the pass, we continued for another three hours hiking through rolling hills and boulders to reach the Wayra Lodge at Wayraccmachay. This is the only place to stay here – there are no campsites. If you are not hiking with Mountain Lodges of Peru, you have to continue to the next village. This is why we saw the other groups on horseback going up the switchbacks to reach the pass earlier. If they hiked it all in one day, it would be extremely difficult and almost impossible to make it before sunset.

It had clouded up, so I didn’t take many pictures after the pass. We were tired as well and ready to finish the hike.

Around 2:30 pm, we saw the lodge off in the distance. I could hardly wait!

This would be one of my favorite places we stayed during the hike. It was so isolated. I tried to imagine how hard it must have been to build this place, as there are no roads and it can only be reached on foot and with the help of mules.

If you go: We booked our trip through Mountain Lodges of Peru, the only outfitter who has lodges along the trail. From start to finish, they were absolutely incredible. I highly recommend them.

January 19, 2026January 20, 2026

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The Crisis Happening in Minneapolis: Reflections and Action on MLK Jr. Day

The immigration crisis happening in Minneapolis is a crisis for all Americans. The past few weeks have been brutal in our city, and as of now, we have more federal ICE agents in the Twin Cities than the combined police forces of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. there is no time than ever before in my life that his words of justice and freedom ignite my soul. I was born in Minnesota and have lived in the glorious city of Minneapolis for the past 25 years. I am a true Minnesotan, and I have never been prouder of my community than ever before. The past month has been absolute chaos, fear, anxiety, and heartbreak for those of us living in Minneapolis and the surrounding suburbs. We have seen people we care about and love being attacked, detained, and even killed in our community. No one in this city is living a normal life – we all are in fear and traumatized by what is happening to us by our own government.

Yes, these words may sound harsh to those who support the federal government. But as the Star Tribune’s editor in chief Steve Grove aptly says,” No matter your view of immigration policy or enforcement, the chaos unfolding here should concern everyone”. For it is no longer simply about immigration, it is about human rights, justice, nd our freedom as a country.

I have been peacefully protesting what is happening, following the law and using the Fourth Amendment to stand up to the injustices happening in my city and state. Many of my friends near and far have thanked me for using my voice to share information that is happening here on the ground in my city. There are so many horrific things happening that I hear about daily from my friends, neighbors, and community that are not being reported. I am trying my best to curate the news I read, examine, and hear on my Instagram stories. Yet it is a struggle to keep up. I’ve attended trainings to know my and our immigrant neighbors’ rights, have marched in the bone-chilling winds and cold of a Minnesota winter. Yet I know that I can and must do more.

In effort to get a better picture of what is happening in my city, I will share a few resources here on my blog for those who want to learn more and participate.

First, I’d like to share some content from this article written by Star Tribune’s Editor in Chief, Steve Grove: “Minnesota’s Crisis is America’s Crisis:”

Here are a few points that Grove makes:

“As the crisis between federal law enforcement and people in Minnesota has continued. No matter your view of immigration policy or enforcement, the chaos unfolding here should concern everyone.

The view from Minnesota is this: the stunning set of events in our state is calling into question some of the basic principles of life in America.

A quick summary of the most serious developments:

U.S. Citizens are being picked up and detained; the ACLU is suing the federal government for alleged racial profiling.
The investigation of the killing of Renee Nicole Good has been politicized, and her wife is now under investigation for what administration officials are calling “domestic terrorism.”
ICE agents are allegedly targeting observers & citizen reporters who are documenting what’s happening in our streets.
Daycares and schools say that ICE is targeting them.
Our state’s governor and Minneapolis’s mayor are being investigated by the Department of Justice
A major resignation of the majority of the U.S. Attorney’s office leadership in Minnesota, including the lead prosecutor on state government fraud, because of directives from top federal officials, according to sources.

This gives a very basic summary of what is happening on the ground daily in Minneapolis. To read more, click on his article here.

These are some of the stories I’ve been sharing on my Instagram account (@thirdeyemom).

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What I love about this article is the call to action. This content again is copied from Grove’s article.

How you can help

Per Grove, “There are lots of ways to help Minnesota right now, but if you’re looking for ways to support journalism specifically, here are a few things I shared with readers in my Publisher’s Note this week”:

Pay attention to the coverage. Simply spending time with our report is an act of service. It can be tempting to ignore the media blitz, shrug off inconvenient truths, or let it all wash by you and hope it goes away. But reading local news coverage, from us and others, makes a difference. An informed public is a powerful force in our democracy.
Amplify great journalism. Please consider sharing our coverage across social media, group chats, or any other communities you’re a part of – it makes a difference. The more we can amplify the truth, the better we can fight back disinformation.
Donate or subscribe – to us or others. A free press comes at a real cost. We’re keeping as much of our journalism outside the paywall as we can right now. You can donate to the Minnesota Star Tribune Local News Fund, or to any other local media outlet you trust.

A huge thank you to the Star Tribune for your coverage of this crisis and for keeping a lot of these stories free for everyone to read, access, and make their own decisions.

My second shout-out is to MPR (Minnesota Public Radio) and the work of photojournalist Ben Jovland (@benjovland). I have been following MPR throughout it all to learn as much as I can about the situation around me. Their reporting has been incredible.

For other national outlets, the coverage has been ok. There has been a tremendous amount of fake news and AI-generated videos out there, so I’ve learned to be careful and fully research what is happening before jumping to conclusions. This is a highly divisive time in our country. Perhaps one of the most divisive times I ever have ever known. That alone is heartbreaking to me. We are not only losing our community, but we are losing our freedom and our country.

However, like Martin Luther King, Jr., I still have hope. No matter how bleak the situation, we still have our freedom of speech and beliefs. We still have the right to stand up for what we believe is right and wrong. Until that is taken away from me, I will not be silenced.

We in Minneapolis are still traumatized from the murder of George Floyd, followed by the politically-motivated murders of our elected officials and the school shooting at Annunciation right down the street this past Autumn. And now we are dealing with one of the largest threats to democracy we have ever experienced at our doorstep.

Despite the cold, legal citizens are being detained and are being taken in brutal ways often at gunpoint and in this case in his underwear at -0 temperatures.

Yet I have faith. We as Minnesotans are resilient, strong, and we persevere in our long Minnesota winters and our kindness. We will resist.

If you want some hope to see what our community can do to heal after trauma, read my post here: George Floyd Murals of Minneapolis: A Demand for Justice, Hope and a Better Humanity.

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SOCIAL GOOD

December 31, 2025December 31, 2025

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2025 A Year in Review

I haven’t done one of these reflective posts in a while, but for some reason, as I sit inside by a warm fire and the snow blankets the trees outside, I feel compelled to write. As with every year in life, 2025 was one of plenty of highs and lows. Yet, it was also a year of immense change and transformation, as I transitioned from being the matriarch at home to an empty nester. Combine that with a lot of travel and another new hip, and it certainly has been a year for the books.

Just as it has been physically tiring (with the hip replacement surgery and lots of hikes), it has also been emotionally draining. With painful complications following my hip surgery to my mother’s unexpected illness, which nearly brought me to my knees. My daughter’s last few months at home until she left for college on the other side of the country, and my own deeper dive back into my career. Then last but not least, the emotional distress that this last year has caused me to be angry, deeply sad, and devastated at the direction that our country has taken. One filled with racism, misogyny, and entitlement, and greed, along with everyday violence, including a school shooting killing two innocent children right down the street from my home. It is easy to curl up in a ball and cry, but that is the easy way out. Not doing anything, letting this happen, would be a hypocrisy to everything I believe in. So I fight. At least we still have the freedom of speech (somewhat) in this country and the ability to protest and stand up for what we believe in. At least for now. I’ve been to many countries where it is not possible, and I feel fortunate to have this basic human right still.

It has been a lot, but I feel this time around, I’ve taken the highs and lows in stride and grace. I’ve learned after all these years how to manage my emotional anxiety that has come and gone throughout the years, and I have found ways to ground my racing, wanderlust soul. It hasn’t been easy – but then again, perhaps now at age 54, I’ve gained some wisdom throughout it all. As much as I miss the hustle and bustle of the kids, having more time to myself and less stress has been amazingly therapeutic. I’ve finally learned to calm down, embrace the day, and take walks with no phone, no sound, and just spend my time noticing. With all the chaos in the world (not to mention the 24/7 news frenzy of horrific daily news), it is a must to slow down. Turn off the noise and dig deep into the fleetingness of life. For each day, each month, and each year seems to go faster and faster. It is up to us to take a breath.

CULTURE

December 27, 2025

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The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: Hike to Lake Humantay

On the second day of our journey along the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, we rose early for our hike to Lake Humantay, a picturesque turquoise glacial lake located at the foot of the Humantay glacier in the Cusco region of Peru. We were amply warned by our guides that the hike to Lake Humantay is one of the most popular day trips from Cusco (which accounts for the endless series of white vans filled with sleeping passengers that we saw on our drive to Mollepata the previous day). Many tourists come to celebrate the glorious colors of Lake Humantay, some hiking up the steep terrain from Soraypampa, while others ride horses. Unfortunately, it has also become a popular place for staged Instagram shots and other “influencers” who brought popularity, traffic, and overtourism to this beautiful natural place. If we wanted to see it in its glory, then we had to start early, and our guides were right.

Adventure Travel Family Travel Peru South America TRAVEL TRAVEL BY REGION Trekking/Hiking

December 13, 2025December 13, 2025

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The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: En Route to Soraypampa

Back in August, my daughter and I went on an incredible adventure together in Peru, completing the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. Peru had been a place we were planning to visit in 2020 before the pandemic canceled our plans. We were finally able to do the trip together a month before she left home for college, and for me, after recovering from my second hip replacement surgery and becoming an empty nester. It was spectacular.

Morning sun looking out from the Salkantay Lodge

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November 26, 2025December 4, 2025

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Ancestral Paths to Mountain Biking Trails in Icalma, Chile

A small dedicated group of local people in the remote Aracauria region of Chile has turned ancient ancestral paths into sustainable tourism through mountain biking as a way to keep their indigenous traditions and culture alive. Here is their story. Note: This article was written by me for the Chile Tourism Board and was published on GLP Films.

Beneath a towering canopy of ancient Araucanía trees, Victor Abarzua and Aldo Torres snap on their helmets and mount their bikes. As they glide down the age-old trail, sunlight filters through the forest, casting their silhouettes in a golden ray of light. Every twist and turn of the ride feels like magic. For this forest is not just a path to be ridden; it’s a living history, its roots entwined with the stories of the Mapuche people and the sacred wisdom of the past. As their tires carve into the earth, a plume of dust rises like smoke, drifting toward the treetops. Adrenaline surges through them, but so does a deep sense of reverence. Here, mountain biking becomes more than a sport—it’s a ritual, a celebration that bridges past and future, and builds connection between man and nature.

For the past ten years, Victor has been working with the local Indigenous Mapuche community to transform Icalma, a relatively remote and unknown region of Chile, into a sustainable tourism destination offering Mountain biking as the primary tool. It has not been an easy journey as Victor came to Icalma—a community that is 99% Indigenous—as an outsider and had to take time to develop relationships and, more importantly, to build trust. For Icalma is not just any place; it is a sacred place, one that is worth protecting, adding an extra layer of complexity to sustainably and responsibly developing tourism in this part of Chile.

Photo by Hass Salum/GLP Films

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November 24, 2025November 24, 2025

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Hiking the Kumano Kodo: The last leg to the Nachi Grand Shrine

The last day of our hike along the Kumano Kodo was from the remote village of Koguchi to Nachi Taisha, one of the three Grand Shrines of the Kumano Kodo and the most stunning. It ended up being a grueling hike, taking 6 long hours with the first two hours being straight uphill. (Total hike: 9.2 miles/14.8 kilometers).

The hike ended with a bang and was much harder than I anticipated.

For some reason, this was harder than the 8.5-hour hike two days before. The weather was becoming a bit more humid (thank goodness it was only early June), and the incline up was much more difficult than it looked.

While I struggled through the tough, humid uphill grind (periodically wiping the sweat dripping off my face with my shirt), wy kids and husband whisked by me, not one bit bothered. I confess I was a bit grumpy, but decided to give myself some grace. I was 53 years old and had just had not one but two major surgeries in the past two years. My last surgery – my second hip replacement – was only six months ago, and I was still not back up to my prior fitness levels before.

Asia Family Travel Japan TRAVEL TRAVEL BY REGION Trekking/Hiking

November 6, 2025February 18, 2026

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Hiking the Kumano Kodo: Ukegawa to Koguchi

The fourth day hiking the Kumano Kodo trail was a recovery day and only 13.2 km/8.2 miles. Our legs were sore but our souls were refreshed after a night at the Yunomine Onsen, where we dipped in the calming hot waters of the hotel’s onsen and enjoyed a traditional 12-course Japanese meal.

The hike today involved a short bus ride to the Kogumotori-goe section of the trail, where we had perhaps one of the best views of the velvety green forested mountains. The look out area is called Hyakken-gura looks out onto the “Kumano Sanzen Roppyaku-ho” – a local expression which literally translates as the “3,600 peaks of Kumano” per our guidebook.

A small Jizo statue guards a stunning backdrop of the Kumano mountains

Since much of the hike is through thick forests, we did not have many views of the mountains except on this day. The word “gura” means “high cliff,” and from the Hyakken-gura we could see velvet green-covered peaks as far as the eye could see. It certainly was magical.

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October 21, 2025

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Hiking the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Trail: Chikatsuyu to Hongu Grand Shrine

Day three of the Kumano Kodo trail – from Chikatsuyo to Hongu Grand Shrine – was by far the hardest day of all in terms of distance. For this section of the trail, there are three options: Easy, moderate at 6-7 hours, and strenuous at 8.5 hours (24 km/14.9 miles). Of course, we all chose the hardest option! It was a long day, but worth it.

We began our hike, leaving our inn at 7 am, hiking through villages along the side of the road. This was actually fun as we met lots of the locals and had some fun conversations, such as learning how to say a few Japanese words like Ohayou gozaimasu which means good morning.

The outskirts of the village were lovely with lots of flowers and beautiful views of the velvet, green-covered mountains. It all felt so peaceful, too, with no noise pollution or crowds. A rarity in today’s modern world.

The hike climbed steadily through the outlying community and countryside until we reached the forest again. It was day three and I was still amazed by the size and majestic beauty of the trees that towered over our heads like a cathedral. We hiked to the melodic birdsong yet never saw the birds because they were too high up in the canopy of cypress, camphor and pine trees.

There were lots of marvelous ancient oji shrines along the way for us to stop at. While the hike was long, it was rewarding and only a few fellow hikers were taking the long route.

By the time we reached the incredible Hongu Grand Shrine, we were so exhausted that we only grabbed a few photos. Nevertheless, it was stunning and got us even more excited for the rest of the journey.

The Hongu Grand Shrine, or Kumano Hongu Taisha, holds a deep historical and spiritual significance as one of Japan’s most sacred Shinto sites and is a central destination on the ancient Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route. Located in Wakayama Prefecture, the shrine dates back over a thousand years and was once the head shrine of more than 3,000 Kumano shrines across Japan.

For centuries, emperors, aristocrats, and commoners alike made the arduous journey through the Kii Mountains to worship here, seeking spiritual rebirth and purification. Originally situated at Oyunohara—the confluence of the Kumano, Otonashi, and Iwata Rivers—the shrine was relocated to its current site in the late 19th century after a devastating flood. Today, it stands as a powerful symbol of Japan’s enduring traditions of nature reverence, pilgrimage, and spiritual renewal, linking the past and present through its timeless rituals and sacred atmosphere.

As we left the shrine, it was late afternoon and we still had to catch a local bus to reach our accommodation for the night. We were staying at our first onsen, natural hot springs that are an integral part of Japanese culture. The onsen experience is unique as you bathe with a bunch of same gender strangers completely in the buff. Apparently, onsens are valued not only for their soothing warmth and mineral-rich waters but also for their role in promoting relaxation, purification, and social connection. For centuries, people have visited onsens to heal both body and spirit, believing that the geothermal waters possess restorative powers.

I must confess that I chickened out and only tested the single-person onsen. But it was indeed amazingly lovely and soothing. I can see why the onsen is a beloved centuries-old tradition of Japanese culture.

We spent the next two nights at the Yunomine Onsen, which is one of the most historic hot springs in Japan. Nestled in the mountains of the Wakayama Prefecture, it is located in one of Japan’s oldest and most historic hot spring villages, with a history stretching back over a thousand years. Deeply intertwined with the sacred Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes, it is said that pilgrims once bathed here to purify their bodies before worshiping at the nearby Kumano Hongu Taisha.

Our dinner at Yunomine Onsen was an experience in itself. We were served a traditional multi-course (I counted at least 14 courses each!) showcasing beautifully presented, locally sourced ingredients. Some of the regional specialties included grilled river fish, mountain vegetables, tofu, seasonal pickles, lots of sushi and miso soup.

Since Yunomine is a hot spring village, a unique culinary tradition is onsen tamago—eggs gently boiled in the natural hot spring waters, resulting in a delicate, silky texture. Rice, fresh sashimi, and small plates of simmered or tempura vegetables rounded out the meal, all served with meticulous attention to detail. Together, these dishes offer visitors a taste of Japan’s deep connection between food, place, and nature, mirroring the onsen’s tranquil and spiritual atmosphere.

After such an epic day with a long hike, soaking in the onsen, and indulging in an enormous dinner, we were looking forward to the rest of the journey along the Kumano Kodo trail. The hike got even better as the trip went on.

Check out this reel of the adventurous day on Instagram.

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October 5, 2025

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Hiking the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Trail: Takahara to Chikatsuyu

Day 2 on the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Trail takes you from the mountain village of Takahara to Chikatsuyu, covering about 10.1 km (6.5 miles). The route winds through dense forests along an undulating path, with climbs and descents that lead past several Oji shrines. The walk takes an estimated 4 hours and is roughly 6.5 miles (10.1 kilometers).

After a delightful breakfast at our accommodations, a local family-owned inn, called Hatago Masara, owned by a Japanese-French couple, Masa and Sara, we set off for our second day of hiking the Kumano Kodo. The morning was lovely with perfect temperatures and slight cloud cover keeping us relatively cool for this time of year (while the humidity was still at bay).

From Takahara, we passed through the outskirts of the village and continued on an undulating trail past several oji shrines along the way. Once again, we hardly saw anyone, and the trail was relatively quiet save for a few hikers. We had timed our trip right.

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September 14, 2025

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Hiking the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Trail: Takijiri to Takahara

The Kumano is a sacred mountainous region located on the Kii Peninsula of Japan, stretching south of Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto, and home to the ancient spiritual Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage. There are several routes however, the most popular one is the Nakahechi Imperial Route that traverses the rugged mountainous trail winding through deep forests of cypress, pine, and camphor trees starting in Takahara and ending in Nachi at the Nachi Tasha Grand Shrine.

The pilgrimage began 1,000 years ago, taking the Imperial family and fellow pilgrims an average of 30-40 days from Kyoto. Several Oji shrines and teahouses were established along the way for pilgrims to rest, relax, and pray during this arduous trek. Today, the Nakahechi route can be completed in 5 days and covers over 46 miles (70 km) of mountainous terrain.

This past May, our family of four visited Japan for two weeks and the highlight of our trip was our time spent together doing the Kumado Kodo hike. Although the hike can be navigated and booked on your own, we opted to hire Oku Japan. Oku Japan operates guided, self-guided, and custom tours around Japan. Their trips combine the simple pleasures of enjoying the hospitality of close-knit communities deep in the countryside that preserve the traditions of a not-too-distant past. We picked them for their excellent reputation, their commitment to helping local rural communities, and their incredible attention to detail to every aspect of our trip, from start to finish. We were not disappointed.

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