Day #4 Part I - Waynapicchu Trail

There is a trail at Machu Picchu which they allow 400 people per day to ascend (and of course descend, which was a bit nerve racking) to the top of a mountain over looking Machu Picchu.  It is where the high priest lived and they stored much of the dried plants they used for medicinal purposes.  It involves a lot of stairs straight up and a lot of stairs straight down.  It is not for the faint of heart or the very young.  Luckily for us there are two different time slots 7am and 10am.  So Mark took Mason and Dallin at 7am and then Drew, Easton, and I met them at the bottom so that at 10am Drew and I could have our turn.  It was hard and amazing and the views, I can't even describe the views.  This picture shows the mountain we climbed.  So when looking at this picture, on the left of the mountain is where the trail is carved into the mountain.

Team Mark, Mason, and Dallin 

 A little story.  We were not sure if Drew would be able to do this hike.  So after Mark came down we met them at the trail head to discuss if Drew would be able to do this.  Mark said he would definitely be able to do this.  He just wanted to remind Drew of how serious the dangers on the trail could be.  Nothing unusual as we had discussed this with all the boys several times in preparation for our trip.  And as we had discussed when going up hill the parent is behind, when going down hill the parent is in front.  So when Drew and I came down, I heard what happened on Mark's trip.  We very nearly had a catastrophe with Dallin falling down some extremely steep and long set of stairs.  There is a picture of the stairs below.  Miracle of miracles Mark caught Dallin and then did not go down himself.  It is a good thing they told me after.  I would never have gone with Drew who did amazing and listened and was cautious and we had a wonderful time.  Angels were watching over Dallin.  Interestingly enough Mark and I both knew that the kid who has the least amount of discretion when on cliffs is Dallin, guess it applies to stairs too.  

This one is a funny joke picture. 

This is not.  It is Mark actually capturing Dallin slipping, though he caught himself.  Not quite as funny to the mom. 

Team Laura and Drew

We think alike.   See the one of Mark and  Dallin above.  

These are the stairs Dallin went face first falling down.  It really is a blessing and miracle he didn't get seriously injured.  Our Heavenly Father was watching out for our family.

At the top.  Can you see that little black spot in the middle, just above the rock?  It is a butterfly, there were so many up there.  It was beautiful.

This made my heart beat just a bit faster.  But the views!!!

We did it!!! 

Thanks Easton for being a champ and cheering us on.

What an incredible opportunity to be up there and see this amazing earth!