Day 4 - Cabanaconde to Camana "All the way to the coast"

Heidi's Flat
Snow-capped Volcanos
Heidi's Fall
Sierra turns to Desert
Trying to change Jets

Scarey Downhill in the Dark

Day 3 - Chivay to Cabanaconde "Down the Valley"

Bike Maintenance
Local Market
Little Lamb
Incredible Lunch
Heading Down the Valley
Stops along the Way

Pachamama Home

Day 2 - Sicuani to Chivay "Far into the cold night"

Heidi's fall
Lake
Gas up in Espinar
Marky's encounter with a dog
Rock Tower valley
Marshes on top of the world
Driving over the top in the dark
Lamb soup and fried trout in Sibayo

Continuing in the dark to Chivay

Day 1 - Cuzco to Sucuani

I am giving the outline for any ATB 2010er to blog their own impressions of different days.  Just write the words and I will go in and organize and attach photos...

Prepping the truck and motos
Finding our way out of Cuzco
Dirt track to 15,000 ft
Highway south from Cuzco
Memorial for Doug Kindberg
Break in Acomayo plaza
Cruise down inner valley past Christal Lake
Drop down to highway
Running out of daylight
No place to stay
Finding the "Country Club"
Pollo a la Brasa supper

Jay's "Stone Soup"

Day 11 (July 6) Rest day in Cerro Azul

A DAY AT CERRO AZUL
     Pulled in shortly after dark from Nazca the day before.  Cerro Azul is a resort town, Peruvian style, on the coast.  As we found in Camana, it is almost completely devoid of tourists since this is the off season.  There were obvious signs of tourist hoardes, and the provisions for them, but it was almost as if we had the beach to ourselves.  There are huge rock formations where the surf has formed caves and crevices we could climb into to watch the waves come pounding in.  The crevice floors were made up of rolled rocks in all different colors ranging from green to red, to purple and all the hues in between.  These rocks would roll against each other making an almost deafening roar.  We had a lot of fun getting as deep into the crevice as possible without having the waves crash against us!  There were paths up the rock cliff sides so being the MK's we are, (even though we've lived in the very cautionary U.S. for many years), began to clamber up, higher and higher  making our way to the lighthouse.  Along the way we would peer over the cliffs at the surf roiling and crashing below on the rocks.  We had to duck as the sea birds tried to chase us from their nesting places.  It was an amazing view of the cove and of ancient village remains on the other side.
     For dinner that night we had a parrillada.  Jay Holcheck who is on Team A & B, with the help of others, purchased beef, fresh fish, little tiny potatoes, onions and aji amarillo to make skewers for grilling on an open fire right on the beach!  He also made a sauce to baste the skewers with while they were grilling.  And, there was roasted corn on the cob with an avocado sauce to spread on.
     Toby taked with us about some of God's character from Wild At Heart and we all went to bed with the sound of the waves, very blessed.
by Tina

Day 16 Huanuco to Huaraz

Incredable morning start, out of the Hostel gate by 7 15am, took the sceanic route through the city of Huanuco, and finally hit the open road....litterally!  Began with pavement, then pot holes,  gravel, and finally on to dirt and mud.  Single lane, goat trail narrow, switchbacks threaded our way up steep mountain sides, and with in seconds when you looked back, you were hundreds of feet above where you came from. 
Fringes of  Eucaliptus trees, lined the path, the fragrance filling the air, very up lifting.  George Manus drove like a pro, we were flying off road and having a blast (in the 4x4 rescue sweep truck)!  The view and sites along the way, impossible to describe adequately, mere words cant do justice to the majesty of Gods handywork. Even the pictures we took, pale in comparison to the real life experience.  Breath taking heights, at 17000feet, made you feel like you were on top of the world, until you glanced acrossed and saw the snow laced caps of Mt. Huascaran (22000 feet high), nestled in a puffy bank of cotton candy clouds.  You realize it is more incredible and you are not even close to the top of the world.  With nearly all feeling the effects of the hight, we quickly loaded up and dashed down to the valley.  Breathing much easier, initially the valley looked completely barren, till you came close, wondrous flowers blooming, cactus flourished and in bloom all over the place, again convienced that this is the most beautiful place I have ever seen.  Till we make the next turn....as the day began to close, light fading.  God blessed us with an incredible sunset!
Light fading from pink, to yellow and finally a brilliant orange as the sun sank behind hand carved mountain rang, as a crowning to the day.  Arrived at our Hostel Churup in Huaraz, to great beds and HOT water, the best accomodations we have had so far!

Just as we did with our riding gear, let's check off our other preparations for "Around the Block".......

PASSPORT:  Have you checked the expiration date?  I know you sent me a copy, but look at it again.  Will it expire while you are overseas?  They won't even let you board if so.  Have you signed it?  They won't let you do THAT at the airline counter!

TICKETS: Have you printed out a few copies of your USA-Peru e-ticket?  What about your in-Peru tickets?  I will have extra copies of all Peru connections for you at David's hotel in Lima,.. just in case.

LUGGAGE:  Have you checked the baggage allowance for your international flight?  Each airline is different these days!  This is what I recommend:  As carry-ons: your small backpack (Riders, I recommend AGAIN the 'Skyline 8.0' by 'Outdoor Products' at WallyWorld... with a drinking bladder too)  When you have to move thru the airports with all your luggage, it is helpful to have your hands free... therefore a backpack is the most practical.  Carry your helmet, they won't call it as an extra carry-on.

                 Bag size is limited!  A max of 62 inches (Length + Height + Width) for each bag.  How many bags?  Of what max weight?  Go to the airline website and check it out (and print it out!  There is a difference between the allowance for national and international flights!  If you are on the same airline from home all the way to Lima, then you get the international allowance even on the national flights.  But the person at the counter may not know that!  If you change airlines within the US, or have a day layover, you will only get the national allowance.)

                How much should I pack?  On these trips I have ALWAYS found that I always pack TOO MUCH!  Weed it out.  Then weed it out again.  Then weed it out one more time!  Every time we have a "rest" day there will be an opportunity to get clothes washed.. for quite cheap.  Riders, you will be in your riding gear ALL day, so a set of clothes that you only wear in the evenings to go out and get a meal will last you many, many days.  

                Remember 3 things:  (1) The baggage of 12 people need to go in this little pickup, with room for other supplies, 3 auxiliary seats for when folks want to ride in the back of the truck, and possibly a broken motorcycle (and YES, there is a small rack on the roof).  (2) On the flights within Peru, you will pay extra for any weight total over 25 kilos (55 lbs) per person.  It WILL be worth it if it is important stuff, but if not you will look foolish discarding stuff at the airport counter!  (3) Many of our hotel rooms will be 3 floors up with NO elevator.  Make your bags smallish, made to also go over your shoulder, and with wheels if possible.

GEAR: Have you got it all?  If you wait 'til the last minute, it may come the wrong size, and there will not be time to exchange it.  Have you worn your new boots to break them in?  You don't have to go riding, just wear them around the house and the garden!

            Have you tried that helmet on?  With the balaclava under it?  For an hour at least?  Find out where the stress points are on your head, and take care of them by carving on the foam under the lining.

HEALTH:  Be in the best shape possible for this trip.  Diet if you will, but don't weaken yourself dieting.  DO build up your strength and stamina.  This is NOT a "ride in the park"!  Or, as I often vent on the 'Round-the-World' moto riders' blogsites to guys who brag that they have ridden a "motorcycle" from the USA to Tierra del Fuego: "Try riding REAL roads, instead of doing a @#$%^ Sunday cruise down the Panamerican Highway!"

             The altitude will beat you up if you are not prepared for it.  Check with your doctor if any of your meds will affect you differently at altitude.  Don't run yourself ragged the days before the trip, then expect to "catch up" on this "vacation".  It will catch up with you!  The trip will be SO much more enjoyable, comfortable, and exhilarating if you are in shape!.....