Day 10 - October 15th
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PLANES, TRAINS, AUTOMOBILES AND CANKLES
The 6:30 wake up call came too early this morning after a long night of harsh bed springs actually making me miss my sleeping bag and the hard ground. We woke, packed up and met downstairs to eat and sing Abbe ‘happy birthday’. Today was pouring down rain. How lucky have we been to see not one drop along the trail? But, the day we leave, down pour. We collected our things and headed to the train station for the first part of our journey to Lima.
The ride was amazing, like something out of Jurassic Park. We all reminisced and watched the trail pass by us that just 4 days earlier we had set on. We shouted a nice ‘see ya suckers’ to the new set of trekkers marching in the rain. Some slept, some chatted and some of us kept our feet elevated because of the epidemic of cankles going around (swollen feet and ankles due to the hike, misquote bikes and who knows what). Colleen and I sat in ahhh as our ankles grew and our toes became little sausages. After a slow 2-hour ride, we off loaded and reloaded onto a bus.
The bus ride was far from mild. James Chippendale had a talk with the driver and asked him to hall back to Cusco. We were behind on time and afraid we would miss our plane back to Lima for the big concert. Well, the driver took him seriously. I think we cornered on two wheels at least 3 times. Several head-on misses followed those as our bus driver rocketed around slower cars. We were all wishing for a pisco sour about then. Instead, we each went to our happy place and rocked ourselves in fear. Somehow, he got us there with just enough time to grab our bags from the hotel and race to the airport.
We created a horrendous line to check in to LAN airways. The Peruvian airport rushed us through and we were on our third leg of the journey by air. After arriving in Lima, another bus ride to the hotel, the Dophino. OOH MY SWEET BABY JESUS, THIS PLACE IS AWESOME. Mixed feelings on the two captive dolphins the hotel has displayed near the restaurant. I think the Denver crew is going to try a rescue mission tomorrow night and release them back into the ocean. Anyone have camo face paint we can use? Anyhow, we have real mattresses, a cappuccino bar, hair dryers and a casino. What luxury after a long rugged week.
After a bit of relaxation and a long hot shower, we set out for some dinner in Mira Flores. A few of us found an Argentinean Steak house, complete with Sommolier. Me gusta vino y carne!!!! We got to the concert venue and VIP’d through to join the gang. The celebration was on! Fast Ball rocked us with a sassy Spanish song. Mike Peters delighted his fans with some classics. Cy Curnin serenaded us with his passionate tones (no green paint this year though). Brian McVernen got the place on their feet with Catalina. And, Nick Harper brought us to tears with ‘Imaginary Friend’, for the second year in a row. The Foley sisters and I swayed back and forth as wiped our tears and listened. After the music, the celebration continued into the pequeno hours of the morning. I got in about 4 am after an unsuccessful pizza hunt with Paul Cooney. Not surprised that the Jersey crew was just on their way to the casino as I was headed to bed.
During our travel day, I had a lot of time to reflect on why we have come here. There is a war out there. A war the effects every country, every town, every family and every person. How is it that some of us are born into a country fully equipped to fight this war with the armor of the best medical care, education, and support? And others are born into a country completely vulnerable and left as prey? Isn’t it the responsibility of all of us to take care of those left defenseless? The 63 of us believe it is. For everyone on this trip that has won or lost the battle (love to Otto), or every one of us that has lost or supported another, we are all in this battle together. We fight to protect those who cannot protect themselves and give them the armor and skills to defend the cruelty of cancer. I have seen first hand what this organization can do and I will continue the war with my brothers and sisters. There will be an end, one country at a time, we will conquer.
I dedicate this trek to my strong aunt Barbara. I love you. Keep fighting. I also trek in honor of my father, Hal Buchanan. Everything I am, in soul and strength, is because of him. Thank you for teaching me to care for this world and understand my strength within. I am my father’s daughter.
Hugs, kisses and CANKLES,
Meghan Buchanan
Lima, Peru
October 15, 2008
Happy Birthday to Abbe Helm and Charlie Harrington!!!!!!!
Hey Trix, glad to see you keeping up with Mikey boy!
Tell him Wales under 21s drew with England, although we were more like under 19s, so our day will come-hopefully in the senior game in Germany tonight.
I think your pageboy was in a group photo in an Italian in Prestatyn in the Daily Post-sure it was him cos there looked to be two of him
Looking forward to the videos-respect to all the people with you.
Tonto
Hey Brien, great to hear that you survived the trek, what a mission, glad everyone is safe & sound, what an experience. Take care & look forward to hearing more about it when you get home, cheers Meesh
Hi mom i tried to call you but it made a beping noise and there is no pics of you love jordan
Hi Shannon,
Dad called to say you made it and felt good! Email me when you can. Love you Mom
Kate,
Thinking of you as you trek close to ‘heaven’ in the forest of the clouds.
all is well here.
Hugs
Mother
J - stay in Peru, the Sox are heading down there for vacation fast. Lost to Tampa 8-1, 9-1 and 13-4 in games 3,4,5. Beckett, Lester and Wake were bombed and Big Papi cannot it the ball. I really wish I was with you and Sam and jaime and Heather instead of being here watching. Pictures look fabulous and I could have watched the games on TIVO when I got back. Love you.
Dad
Hi Merc, hope you had a good trek. I printed your picture out holding the memorial flag and gave it to your mom. She said you look very good and was very happy to see the picture. Enjoy and see you very soon. Love, Anna
We are not missing a minute of the trek - I check in at least 5 or 6 times a day, just in case.
Finn is being the perfect house guest. Hasn’t eaten any of the cats, but there is one tiny thing - we bought him a hot pink frisbee. I don’t think he grasped the concept, because he ATE it. Now we are have a full-on PPW at the house. (pink poo watch.) This grandparenting thing is very difficult - who knew??? Can’t wait to see you, hear all about the trip and give you both an extra special “Peru Rocks” hug.
We love you - Juds and Slack a.k.a Mom and Dad
Hi! Hope all is well. It’s gettin pretty chilly here @ night, but days r still in mid 70’s. Everybody is good here. Well, keep up the tough work.
Luv u, c u soon!
Didi
Hi Tone, hope your travel lives up to the excpectations and the companions are excitingly good. Must be a great way to learn about human relations and pasion to make a diference. Best of luck to you all. Jan Håkon
Hi,Jules,Mike and Katrina and gang!!
Very proud to be associated with all of you and what LHS stands for!!!
Stay safe as your journey coninues,with you all in spirit and hope to see some of you on the road in Manchester next month!!!Take care and be safe-Mick Thompson and family X
Hey Lyn Nelson-
Thinking about you. I hope you are having a great time…how are those legs holding up? Take lots of pics…see you soon!
Susan
Hey Aunt Petunia,
So proud of you! Hope all is well. See you when you get home.
Love, Melissa
Hi Aden,
Hope all is going well with you up there! The photos are amazing!
I wanted to send along an article from the summit daily news. Remember TJ who we went boarding at Vail with us last year? It’s Ken’s friend who is the firefighter in Breck. I just found out that he has a brain tumor and they are holding a fund raiser for him tomorrow in Summit County. Jeremy and I are headed up to help out, but thought you’d like to know and maybe keep him in your thoughts as you wrap up your trip and begin to head home this week.
Also heard from Barry and his dad’s throat tumor is definitely cancer and inoperable because of where it is between the espophagus and the trachea. They are gearing up for radiation and possibly chemo in the weeks ahead. So please keep him in your thoughts as well.
Take care and here is the article.
SUMMIT COUNTY — After making a terrific over-the-head catch during the Kingdom Park Classic softball tournament in Breckenridge, local firefighter Todd “T.J.” Johnson fell to the ground.
“I dropped on the grass and experienced my first seizure,” said Johnson, a Summit County resident for 16 years. “It happened out of nowhere, and that was when I knew something was wrong.”
Johnson immediately was rushed to the hospital, and numerous MRIs and CAT scans revealed a lemon-sized tumor on his brain.
Wanting to be aggressive with his treatment, Johnson scheduled surgery to remove most of the tumor just one month after his first seizure. On Sept. 10, Johnson underwent a 10 1/2-hour brain operation, and he was awake the whole time.
“I had to be awake so they could test my brain function and reactions,” Johnson said, adding that he suffered two seizures during the procedure. “The doctors were able to remove 75 percent of the tumor… But it left me with significant deficits in my left arm and leg.”
An avid athlete and agile firefighter with the Red, White & Blue fire department, Johnson had always considered himself a healthy and active person.
After surgery, he could barely move the fingers on his left hand.
“I basically had to learn how to walk again,” Johnson said. “The people in the rehab unit were magicians. It took a lot of work, but now I have full range of motion in my left arm and leg.”
With the support of his family, friends and girlfriend, Claire Applebaugh, Johnson has remained optimistic about his recovery.
“At first, I was just worried about being a firefighter again, and now I just want to be able to get up and go for a walk in the morning,” Johnson said. “This whole thing has really put things in perspective.”
Removing the tumor was only the first step in Johnson’s battle with brain cancer, and soon he will be flying back to his home town Chicago to undergo three months of chemotherapy and radiation.
“Time will tell whether I can come back and work at the department,” Johnson said. “I really found my niche when I joined Red, White & Blue, and I couldn’t have been a happier person behind the wheel of the fire engine.”
Immediately after his diagnosis, fellow firefighters stepped in to cover Johnson’s shifts, and the department began brainstorming different fundraising opportunities to help with his mounting medical bills.
“Firefighter are always more concerned with helping everyone else, and they rarely ask for help themselves,” said Capt. Kim Scott. “We left it up to him to decide if he wanted a fundraiser and, although he was reluctant at first, he let us go for it.”
The department will host a spaghetti dinner and silent auction at its Main Street station Thursday evening, and, after the dinner, the event will move to Breckenridge music venue Three20South, where there will be a raffle and three bands performing.
Coincidentally, the fundraiser will be held on the same day that Johnson started with the fire department eight years ago.
“This fundraiser is the very least we can do considering the eight years T.J. has given to this community,” Red, White & Blue Fire Chief Gary Green said. “T.J. is a brilliant man, and he truly exemplifies the key values of our organization: courage, commitment and caring.”
Many local businesses have already stepped up with donations for the raffle and silent auction, and fellow firefighters and friends have spent the last few weeks going door to door in search of additional donations.
“The support has been unbelievable, and the fundraiser will help me focus on getting better and not worrying so much about the costs,” Johnson said. “I’m looking forward to seeing everyone on Thursday and letting them know I am OK. I’m taking it day by day, but I need them to see that I am still laughing and still smiling.”
Ashley Dickson can be reached at (970) 668-4629, or
at adickson@summitdaily.com.
Hello to Katrina and Jackie, enjoy your last few days in Peru. Dunwell wants to know if Goober made it on the trek with you and if you met any of Padington’s family? Hit the ground running and enjoy the SLF gigs at the weekend. Look forward to catching up.
Love from Stu, Hales and Dunwell
Vickie & Julie,
Don’t know if you are still on the mountain coming down, in town, or still receiving messages we’re still thinking about you. Regardless, we’re still thinking about you.
Billy Bob
Hei, interessant å se bilder fra turen. ser kjempehyggelig ut. Herman, Eirin, Odd-Jon, Brigt og jeg tenker på deg og håper du har det bra!
Mange klemmer fra oss
Hi ya Mr & Mrs P.
Very Very proud of you and all the groups efforts in raising awareness & funds to help the many souls who are not as lucky as ourselves. I’m so humbled by the strenght & courage that you all have and your commitment to help others that it really shames us all, especially after the world govts. have just pumped in over 2 TRILLION dollars into the banking system just to stop the boat from rocking, and nearly every penny for Cancer research/treatment has to be raised by brave fellows like yourselfs…..it all seems wrong somehow…..maybe i’m missing something ….????
Anyway keep up the good work…
my love to you all..
p.s. Max will be 3 on friday… raise a glass for him…. cheers
Dave…your upgrade angel..
Hey Nese! Well, its the 15th, the hard trek is over and you are on your way back to Cusco and Lima as I write. CONGRATULATIONS to you and everyone for making the trek to Machu Picchu, you’ve done something really amazing! I hope your time at the summit was wonderful!
I hope you enjoy the rest of your limited time in Peru, and I hope to hear more about it sometime after you get home.
I hope by now in Peru, E.L.N!
Kim
Hi Lyn! You should be safely back in Lima sometime today. It looks like a VERY BUSY DAY with the train ride, airline flight and concert. Tomorrow will be exciting also, with the visit to the hospital to bring Love, Hope and Strength to those who are fighting against cancer. Its good that you planned for some extra time to rest up before flying back home. The weather here has been great. Dad has been working hard finishsing up the new deck. We love you and miss you and look forward to seeing you on Sunday. Love, Mom and Dad
Merc,
I love all the wonderful shots of the trekkers. You look incredible! Hope to meet you at MIA so long as you’re not MIA! HA! Stone Crab and Champagne for all my friends… Hello Daryl!
Love,
your cousin Merce
Abbe: HAPPY 29th BIRTHDAY sweet daughter of ours. Did you wear your birthday cake hat? Not much going on here..just work and bedtime, except that we miss you and I personally miss your phone texts. Your reservations have been made for N.C. and we are all looking forward to that trip. You will have one week to rest up before you are off again. Hope you had a memorable birthday and can’t wait to see you this weekend. If you are up to it, you, Sus, Jr., BooBoo, Adam, Jen, and Tae are invited here on Sunday to eat, rest, and relax and share your adventure with all of us. Until then, please be safe..and lots of kisses and hugs….again..HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Tracey, what an absolutely beautiful and emotional journal entry. You have me in tears… Your words were overwhelming and inspiring. Thanks to everyone for sharing your adventures and spirit with us. Thinking of you all & safe travels the rest of the way. Mike, Jules, Katrina & Jackie, can’t wait to see you in a few weeks. Lyn, I love that hat! Bravo to you all for this remarkable journey. xx Lily
Hi Nese,
I know you have lots of wonderful pictures and stories to tell. Looking forward to seeing you soon. A really amazing trip for everyone.
Love,
Mom
Hi Mom,
You made it!! Sounds pretty amazing from everything I have been reading, hope that you are not too sore and stiff. See you soon! Max sends kisses. I was ready to sell him today after his 20th tantrum!
Love Ker
Hi Aden,
Wow. I can only imagine what all of ‘that’ looks like in person. Who wouldn’t want to live there - but what an architectural feat.
Good to see your pretty face on video. Patiently awaiting your return.
Angie
P.S.
Tracey - your journal entry made me cry but good for you. You’re a tough chick. Sounds like anything ahead of you should be a piece of cake from now on. Hope it is.
congratulations to all. it is good to see many familiar faces. james it is good to hear your voice. mike you hair still looks marvelous after three long days of hiking. nick as always your guitar playing and story telling is immeasurable. my favorite part of the videos is you with the school children. alex and tom thank you for letting us be with the group. i feel as if i was signing with you at the top of machu picchu. safe travels.
Tracey, your diary entry made me cry and laugh - believe me, girl, you made it, and you earned that picture
Nick, I’m sitting here at work trying to suppress fits of giggles at your music / science lesson with the schoolkids
Our fave physics teacher will be proud! And if I’d ever had a music teacher half as cool as you when I was in primary school, I’d know more than 1 1/2 chords on the guitar. 
Safe trip home N - you’ve had an amazing journey, so proud of ya… Px
Hi Katrina
how’s it going? Are you on the way down now? photos are great, keep a check on you most days, looking forward to hearing all about your trip on your return.
love Sheila & Andrew, Polish Club
Union County Trekkers -
CONGRATULATIONS!
Bring George safely home. I know you will have a lifetime of great memories of your accomplishment. I am extremely proud of you all.
Sto Lat!
Marge
Hey Jules and Vic and Laine too!
Partying and dancing til the wee hours of the morning, up at the crack of dawn…I’m tired just thinking about it and I got 8 hours of sleep!
Can’t wait til you get home and I can give you guys a great big hug!
Laine, I may have to come to DC and ply you with drinks to get the real/full scoop from this trekking adventure.
Love and miss you!
-jamie
Hi Mom (kathy) glad to see you made it!!! We will see you in a couple of days!! Take care
Love DS
To Tracey and Lee,
Thanks for your journal entries. Tracey, you are so far from a quitter - I laughed out loud at your photo, flying that idiot doctor the bird. May your feisty will always triumph! Lee, you made me fall in love with Otto, and with Team Otto. Otto has made it to the top again, it appears…
Trekkers - Peru Rocks, and YOU Rock!
Hi Derek Tabish and Tony Scalzo. We are following your trek in Peru and saw that Ottos ashes are where he wanted them to be.God how beautiful my little nephew was. I still feel his spirt. God bless and a big hello from all of the Sjobecks. love you,
Betty
Abbe: Just talked G’ma through the computer and Peru Rocks. She has been trying all week and couldn’t figure it out and wanted so bad to send you a note and keep in touch with you. She has been so worried about you and was so tickled to see you in a picture, as was I..this whole thing is so much more than I realized and I am truly very proud of you, Shannon, and everyone involved in this amazing trek. Can’t wait to hear all about everything first hand. Love you lots…Mom
Hi everyone!! I am back in Big D now (still not rested, but home) and you are all probably starting on your journy home to your family and friends. I just want you all to know that this was an experience of a lifetime for me. You all have such inspirational stories, kind hearts and have touched my soul in more ways than you’ll know. Thank you to Love Hope Strength for the experience of a lifetime. I hope I did my part to help those in need and I hope to be a part of this family for a long, long time to come. Miss you all!!Peru Rocks!!!! Love, Jaime
Dear Mom,
First and foremost, I want you to know how proud I am that you are my Mom and I think it’s really cool that you are a part of this incredible foundation.
Secondly, please come home, Charlee won’t leave me alone! I try hiding from her, but she is relentless and hunts me down. I have resorted to laying on top of her just to hold her down, but I think she has mistaken my assertiveness for affection because she keeps going for my junk! Aunt Heather says it will only be a few more days, but I fear this may be detremental to my well being! I miss you and love you! I’ve been a really good boy!! (Aunt Heather and Uncle Chad tell me all the time, so I know it’s true!)MAMA COME HOME!!!!!
Your loving son,
Brutus
HI Katrina
I hope that you picked up the last message? Hope you are having a great time and we can catch up soon. Love to you and Jackie. Liz
Hi Sweetie!
The girls are with me this weekend….they do soooo love grandma’s house; they already need to be brushed and clipped. So far the 4 of them are doing well together; no growling yet.
Try to get in front of some one’s camera more often; I’ve only found 3 photos with you in them. hee,hee
We all miss you and love you.
Hey Gary!
It’s been a bummer not being able to see the daily journal and pictures until today. I’ve printed off a bunch of pics and the daily journal to send to Mom and Dad so they can see what Steve, Amy, Jim and I have. What an awesome experience you must be having. Again, can’t wait to see what you’ve captured on film and in your heart, meeting so many wonderful people. Safe journey home!!!
Love Always,
Jan, Jim, Spencer and Waldo!
Hey everyone. I wanted to let you know that I made it back about 1:00 this morning and had a lovely sleep in my own bed! Although I am thrilled to see my boys again, I already miss all of you. Thank you for changing my life.
Love to all,
Tracey