Packing for Adventure

Pack Light. Travel Far.

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  • Conditions for Conquering Everest

    Daily writing prompt
    What’s something you would attempt if you were guaranteed not to fail.
    View all responses

    My first question is whether this magical guarantee of success also changes how much joy the act would bring.

    Am I successful in this endeavor, but barely hanging on by the end? Or am I successful and happy?

    I’ve written before about knowing my limits, and Mount Everest has never been on my bucket list. But with this guarantee, the answer shifts.

    Would I make it to the top feeling energized, victorious, and safe? Would the skies be clear, offering that once-in-a-lifetime view? Or would I come back alive but battered, bruised, and exhausted to the point of regret?

    I’ve never believed in doing something just to check it off a list. If I take on a challenge, I want it to be meaningful and enjoyable, not just survivable. Without the prompt’s magical abilities, Everest isn’t for me – I know I’d never make it back down in one piece. But with the assurance of success, and if the experience itself could be joyful, then yes, I’d want to stand on top of the world, breathing in that clear, crisp air and taking in the view of forever.

    So if failure isn’t an option, hand me some gear and a sherpa. I’ll happily conquer Everest. But just to be clear, I’m only doing it if the skies are blue. I refuse to risk my one guaranteed shot at greatness on a foggy photo op.

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  • Planes Trains and Automobiles: From Lima to Machu Picchu

    Planes Trains and Automobiles: From Lima to Machu Picchu

    As a reminder, the previous day was spent flying from SLC to Lima and then Lima to Cusco and then a car ride to the Sacred Valley. After our day in the Sacred Valley, a driver from Condor Travel picked us up and drove us to Ollantaytambo.

    High altitude train ride

    Ollantaytambo is a pretty cool place that I hope to explore more one day. It was both a fortress and a ceremonial site, and one of the last strongholds where the Incas resisted Spanish conquest. The irrigation canals used by Incans still channel glacial water today. The street layout follows the original Inca design, and there are even many houses built on original Inca foundations that peoples still live in. It’s one of the best-preserved Inca urban centers. It also serves as the main train departure point to Machu Picchu. So it was at this point that we got on a train which took us to…

    AGUAS CALIENTES

    …also known as the Machu Picchu Pueblo. It is the primary access point to the Machu Picchu ruins. The town is car-free – you can only reach it by train from Cusco or Ollantaytambo, or by foot following the 26-mile Inca Trail.

    Streets of Aguas Calientes
    I loved these bridges at the Machu Picchu Pueblo

    Where We Stayed

    We stayed at the Tierra Viva Cusco Machu Picchu.

    Let’s be honest, you aren’t coming to Peru for the lodging, you are coming to see Machu Picchu and other Incan sites. That being said, I don’t think any hotel we stayed in was especially comfortable. This hotel was great because the staff was friendly and helpful, and it was really close to the bus stop that takes you to Machu Picchu. The room was nice enough, and breakfast was provided. The biggest advantage to this hotel was its close proximity to everything. I wouldn’t mind staying here again!

    After we checked into our hotel and got our bearings, we hopped onto the bus that takes you to the Machu Picchu ruins. It was a 25-minute bus ride.

    The Bus to Machu Picchu

    The bus ride is pretty crazy. You go up a very steep and very windy mountain in a bus that is flying past all the other buses that are just constantly going up and down the mountain. The bus was PACKED. We were not able to sit next to each other, you just kinda have to find a place to fit. Luckily it was so packed that we couldn’t even see out the windows – which meant I couldn’t see what was happening enough to be terrified.

    Bus ride to the Machu Picchu ruins

    We decided there must be some sort of way these bus drivers communicate with each other, because we were flying around corners and never crashed into another bus, and supposedly there had been no history of crashes at least to the date in which we were there.

    The day so far spent in varying methods of transportation felt like it was leading to something monumental – and it was! Next came the moment we’d been anticipating: stepping foot into Machu Picchu itself!

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  • The Sacred Valley: Gateway to Machu Picchu

    The Sacred Valley: Gateway to Machu Picchu

    Our first real stop in Peru was the Sacred Valley. After flying into Lima, we spent the night at an airport hotel. The following morning we boarded another flight from Lima to Cusco, where we were met by the local travel agency Condor Travel. They got our bags and took us in a car from the airport, through Cusco, to the Sacred Valley.

    *A note about tipping: When we landed in Cusco, we hadn’t had a chance to break our newly exchanged bills yet. I wasn’t expecting the driver to take our bags (or to tip), but when he thrust his hand out insistently, all I had were large bills. He ended up with a very generous tip. Lesson learned: always keep small change handy in Peru for tipping.

    Where We Stayed:

    We stayed at a wonderfully beautiful hotel called Sonesta Posadas Del Inca Yucay. We didn’t really have time to explore or do anything as we arrived late afternoon and would be heading to Machu Picchu the next morning. But this hotel was definitely the nicest one we stayed at on the whole trip.

    The beautiful grounds of the Sonesta Posadas Del Inca Yucay

    As we were heading to one of the hotel restaurants, we passed a little market area where there were a handful of Peruvians selling their goods. Chris bought a handmade sweater made from alpaca. The restaurant we ate at was, of course, a pizzeria. Our waiter told us she knew what specific family we bought the sweater from based on the knitting pattern. Apparently different families use different patterns, and they are recognizable enough to identify the family it came from.

    Dinner at the Pizzeria

    Notice in the picture I am drinking Coca-Cola and Chris is drinking a yellow drink. The yellow drink is Inca Cola. Chris was excited to try Peru’s own soda, but it was his first and last sip. Apparently it’s an acquired taste!

    Why is it Sacred?

    This area was one of the most important and revered areas of the Inca Empire.

    • Fertile Land – the valley is nourished by the Urubamba River and had some of the most fertile soil in the Andes. Food means survival and in turn, power. The valley was treasured for its ability to feed not only the locals, but the empire.
    • Spiritual Significance – The Urubamba River was symbolically linked to the Milky Way and the valley was seen as a gift from the gods.
    • Royal and Religious Use – in addition to being excellent farmland, it was also a retreat for the Inca nobility. They built temples, palaces, and ceremonial centers in places like Ollantaytambo.
    • Gateway to Machu Picchu – the Sacred Valley was part of the pilgrimage route leading toward Machu Picchu, a sacred ceremonial site.

    Our stop in the Sacred Valley was short and sweet. It gave us the rest and calm we needed to prepare for the reason we came to Peru: Machu Picchu.

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  • Easing Into Peru’s High Altitude

    Easing Into Peru’s High Altitude

    We actually booked this trip through TripMasters. The agents Chris spoke to were very insistent that we stop in the Sacred Valley first. Apparently a top complaint from visitors is altitude sickness, so travel agents strongly suggest booking your trip to Peru in a specific order:

    1. Sacred Valley – elevation ~9,400 feet
    2. Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu
      • Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) – elevation ~6,700 feet
      • Machu Picchu Citadel (the ruins) – elevation ~7,970 feet
      • Top of Machu Picchu – elevation ~8,920 feet
    3. Cusco – elevation ~11,150 feet
    4. Puno/Lake Titicaca – elevation ~12,560 feet

    Lima is basically sea level, which is where we first landed. The idea here is that you need to acclimate yourself to the high altitude. You start in Sacred Valley, which has a pretty high altitude. Then you give your body a bit of a break by going down in altitude when you visit Machu Picchu.

    After a couple days in Machu Picchu, you move on to Cusco, where the altitude is higher than the Sacred Valley. The idea is that by now the high altitude won’t be such a shock to your system. Then last comes Lake Titicaca, the highest elevation of all.

    We were not especially concerned with elevation as the elevation in Utah is not exactly low. We are sitting at maybe ~4500 feet, but Chris’s favorite mountain peak (Ben Lomond) is ~9,700 feet. That being said, we spoke with tons of people visiting Peru who were suffering from altitude sickness. Specifically a couple from California who sat across from us on one of the trains. They were feeling it pretty bad!

    Everywhere you go, Peruvians will offer Coca Tea as a remedy for altitude sickness. Luckily we never felt like we needed it.

    If you are planning to visit Peru and you are coming from an area that is sea level or low elevation, make sure to plan for this. Peru is breathtaking in two ways; beautiful to behold AND tough on your lungs. Plan ahead so you can enjoy the views, not just gasp for air.

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  • Top 3 Fall Getaways in the USA

    Fall is in the air, and people are giving a collective sigh of relief for cooler temperatures. As for myself, I thrive in the heat! The cooler temperatures are a reminder of what’s coming- SNOW! I am jealous of people who love snow and I hope to one day not be hating life for 3-6 months of the year.

    But for now, I’ll try to enjoy the moment rather than dread the inevitable. What better way to live in the present than by taking a trip?

    Top 3 Places to Visit in the Fall

    Four Corners Roadtrip (Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado)

    Autumn brings cooler daytime temps that make exploring red rock canyons and desert landscapes much more comfortable than in the summer. Here’s a sample 6-day itinerary packed with iconic Southwest scenery:

    • Day 1: Start in Moab, Utah → Sand Island Petroglyphs (Bluff).
    • Day 2: Monument Valley Scenic Drive → Navajo National Monument → overnight in Kayenta, AZ.
    • Day 3: Four Corners Monument → Petrified Forest National Park (Painted Desert, Blue Mesa, Crystal Forest, Giant Logs) → overnight in Holbrook, AZ.
    • Day 4: Canyon de Chelly (Spider Rock, White House Overlooks) → overnight in Chinle, AZ.
    • Day 5: Lower Antelope Canyon (guided tour required) + Horseshoe Bend hike → overnight in Page, AZ.
    • Day 6: On the drive back, stop at Moqui Cave, Kanab Sand Caves, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, and Belly of the Dragon.

    Why it’s worth it: Slot canyons, red rock mesas, ancient ruins, and petrified forests! Not every trip offers this much variety!
    What to know: Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon require Navajo Nation permits and guided tours. Expect heavy crowds at Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon.

    Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee, North Carolina)

    The Smokies are one of the best places in the country to see fall foliage, with rolling mountains blanketed in fiery reds and golds. Popular scenic drives like Newfound Gap Road and Cades Cove Loop make it easy to soak in the views. Cooler weather also makes hiking more comfortable.

    The perfect trip would be 3-5 days. A long weekend would be great to hit up just the highlights, but extra time allows for longer hikes like Alum Cave or Mount LeConte.

    Why it’s worth it: Mountains covered in color with misty mornings that live up to the park’s “smoky” name. The scale of color present in the fall alone makes it worth the traffic!
    What to know: Expect bumper-to-bumper traffic during peak foliage, but sunrise hikes or weekday visits bring quieter moments.

    Columbia River Gorge & Mount Hood (Oregon)

    Just outside Portland, the Columbia River Gorge is lined with waterfalls like Multnomah Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Latourell Falls, all framed by fall foliage. Continue on to Mount Hood, where you can drive the scenic Fruit Loop and stop at orchards for apples, pears, and fresh cider.

    Perfect for a quick getaway if you don’t have more time in your calendar. Two days covers the highlights, but if you can spare 4 days, you can spend more time on longer hikes (like Tamanawas Falls) and enjoying Hood River’s orchards.

    Why it’s worth it: Few places combine waterfalls, fall colors, and mountain views so close together.
    What to know: Parking fills quickly at popular falls, but arriving early or visiting midweek makes it much easier.

    Quick Comparison

    • Four Corners Road Trip: Best for photography and bucket-list Southwest landmarks.
    • Great Smoky Mountains: Best for viewing fall foliage at its best and scenic mountain drives.
    • Columbia River Gorge & Mount Hood: Best for a short getaway with waterfalls, orchards, and fall colors.

    Whatever destination you pick, expect cooler weather and vibrant colors. Enjoy the best of autumn while it lasts!

    Did I miss one of your favorite autumn getaways? Comment and tell me!

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  • Healing Hearts (Literally and Figuratively)

    Daily writing prompt
    When you think of the word “successful,” who’s the first person that comes to mind and why?
    View all responses

    I don’t respond to all the daily prompts, but for this one, one name immediately jumped to mind.

    I have been pondering on the recent passing of Russell M. Nelson. He had a more successful life than anyone else I can think of, at least who was alive in my lifetime. He was undeniably a remarkable man.

    First of all, he was 101 years old when he passed- he made it to a much riper old age than most, and that in itself denotes success! Most people have a goal in life to live as long as possible; he definitely achieved that!

    There are 3 aspects of his life in particular that would each on their own merit be enough to be exceptional. His medical career, his family, and his years and years of church service.

    If your definition of success is tied primarily to career accolades, he’s got it. As a pioneering heart surgeon, he performed the first open-heart surgery in Utah back in 1955. My own father has benefited from his contribution to medicine. My dad had open-heart surgery a few weeks ago and his surgeons used a heart-lung machine developed by Russell M. Nelson.

    In times past, success was measured by the ability to bring about posterity. Well Russell M. Nelson had 10 children, 57 grandchildren, and 167 great-grandchildren. A lasting legacy for sure.

    He could have retired as a heart surgeon and still been extraordinary. However he didn’t get to enjoy a relaxing retirement. He was called to the ministry over 40 years ago. He did not ask to serve or lead, but he willingly and humbly spent the last 40+ years of his life in tireless dedication to church service around the world.

    You don’t get much more successful than that.

  • Infected for Life: How Peru Gave us the Travel Bug

    Infected for Life: How Peru Gave us the Travel Bug

    I’ll be honest, hiking Machu Picchu was not a priority of mine. I was not opposed to it, but it was not an immediate, or even a future, goal of mine.

    I knew since my high school days that I wanted to travel. I took an Art History class in high school that sparked an enduring love for art. I knew I’d travel in life, but I imagined wandering through Europe, soaking in museums, cathedrals, and cobblestone streets.

    It was Chris who wanted to see Machu Picchu. He had even started the process of booking a trip there around the time we started dating. He was going to go with a work buddy. I don’t remember why they didn’t go.

    Our first trip together was a cruise on our honeymoon. Any trips after that in our early marriage were in our home state. Chris had brought up hiking Machu Picchu a few times over the years, but I just didn’t feel like we could afford it. After a few years and a few job promotions, we wanted to do a bigger trip. After a few months of careful consideration, I decided that if we were going to travel to Peru, it was now or never.

    We were both making more money than we were before, but we also had a much larger mortgage payment than we had before. We had two dogs and no kids yet. We were not wealthy by any means, I just felt like now was the only time in our lives where we could be a little reckless. I was hoping to start a family sooner than later, and Chris wasn’t quite on board yet. I hoped a trip to Peru would convince him otherwise.

    So I took a bit of a financial risk. I opened up a new credit card that had an introductory rate of 0% for a year. We put the whole trip on this credit card banking on the idea that we’d be able to have it paid in full before the introductory rate expired.

    Do not jump into credit card debt with both eyes closed. Carrying a balance on credit cards leads to compounding interest and a hole so deep it can be very difficult to climb out. If you use credit, have a solid repayment plan in place before you book.

    To find out my strategies for paying for travel, check out my Travel Financing Page!

    This was what I meant by “now or never.” I didn’t want to make this kind of financial risk when we had more on the line (i.e. children who need consistent nourishment and clothes and lodging etc). I fully planned on this being our trip of a lifetime, with the caveat that we’d also go to Italy for me. Then once those trips were done, we’d have kids and settle down and never really do big trips until our empty-nester years.

    Instead we caught the travel bug, and it turns out the only cure is more cowbell. Or more plane tickets.

    So now I’ll tell you about the trip that started it all: the one that ignited our curiosity and set us on a mission to see the world!

    https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1ymch-PC4tNQBzNiNAvVdNz4UqLUy8Iw&usp=sharing

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  • Possessions Come and Go, But Shotglasses Are Forever

    Possessions Come and Go, But Shotglasses Are Forever

    Daily writing prompt
    What would you do if you lost all your possessions?
    View all responses

    If I lost all my possessions, I wouldn’t be too upset. I’m guessing I lost them in a fire, or maybe my house/car was robbed. I imagine insurance would be of use in recouping funds to get new possessions, though maybe not as much as I would like.

    As long as my family and pups are safe, losing my possessions would be more of an annoyance than it would be devastating. And to be honest, I’m due for a new wardrobe. It would even be kind of nice to get a fresh start and clear out all the clutter.

    Of course I do not want to downplay the horror of losing everything you own, especially in a fire. In this hypothetical situation, I know I’m not happy to have to clean up wreckage and start over. But at the end of the day, stuff is just stuff. All I REALLY care about is my husband, children, and dogs.

    There is one exception: my travel souvenirs.

    Our Souvenirs

    Chris had a healthy collection of souvenir shot glasses before we even knew each other, so naturally we get a new shot glass everywhere we go. We even made a cute mountain shelf to display them.

    Too many shotglasses!

    My favorite souvenir item we get is a new Christmas ornament from each place we visit. I love this because we don’t have to find a permanent spot for display, so it doesn’t add to clutter. Each Christmas we get to reminisce about our travels.

    We also usually try to get a piece of art from a local, and Chris will usually frame it himself using wood local to the area. This tradition started in 2017 with our trip to Peru. He used Katalox wood, local to South America, to frame a painting of Machu Picchu. This eventually became the namesake of his company.

    Frame made from Katalox wood

    I usually try to get a souvenir shirt as well. That’s really the only time I get new clothes. For big hikes I treat myself to a hoodie, such as when I hiked the Grand Canyon and the Half Dome in Yosemite. Chris has the world’s largest head, so he has trouble finding hats that fit, but he gets himself a souvenir hat on the rare occasion he finds one big enough.

    So maybe I wouldn’t be devastated to have to replace my furniture, clothes, office supplies, documents, and home decor – but I would definitely mourn the loss of my treasured souvenirs. Or maybe it would be a sign to create more travel memories?

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  • How We’d Do the Next Cross-Country Pizza Crawl

    How We’d Do the Next Cross-Country Pizza Crawl

    This was a pretty great trip other than the hiccups in Detroit. It’s an engaging topic, and people love to hear about it and recommend their favorite spots for pizza. I am told that Philadelphia has some pretty great pizza. I’ve also heard Florida, California, Texas, and most randomly, North Dakota!

    We’d love to do a similar trip in the future. I think we’d bring the kids next time.

    We’d skip Chicago and Detroit and add in Boston and Philadelphia, maybe Washington D.C. We could turn it into an American History trip, which would be great for the kids!

    I’d hope to travel between states by train. Here are some of the things I’d like to add in on top of trying new pizzas:

    New York City:

    • Crown tickets for the Statue of Liberty – I really wanted to do this and just didn’t book tickets early enough. Next time for sure!
    • Ellis Island – I’d repeat this for sure – 25 minutes just wasn’t enough for me, and it’s a good learning experience for kids as well.
    • Brooklyn Bridge – I loved walking the 1.6 mile bridge, and I bet the kids would like it too.
    • FAO Schwartz – the kids would LOVE this, and I’d make sure they got to play on the big piano.
    • Pizza – we’d try for some different places, but for sure repeat visits to Denino’s Greenwich Village and John’s of Bleecker Street!

    New Haven, CT:

    The pizza here was good enough for a repeat visit, but it would have to be a very quick stop as there would be plenty of sightseeing to do elsewhere!

    • Pizza – If we could make it work, we’d swing by Frank Pepe’s and maybe a repeat visit to Modern Apizza

    Boston:

    Having never had pizza here, I’m not sure what we’d try, but on top of trying new pizzas, we’d for sure do some American History stops.

    • Freedom Trail – 2.5 mile red-brick path that leads to 16 different historically significant Revolutionary-era sites.
      • Paul Revere’s house
      • Old North Church
      • Faneuil Hall
      • Boston Massacre site
      • Old Granary Burying Ground
        • Burial place for Paul Revere, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and Mary Goose (rumored to be Mother Goose)

    Philadelphia:

    I know a guy who insists Philadelphia pizza is the BEST pizza! So we’d for sure give it a try on top of visiting more iconic American History sites.

    • Liberty Bell
    • Independence Hall
    • Elfreths Alley
    • Rittenhouse Square
    • Reading Terminal Market
    • Franklin Fountain Ice Cream (I love ice cream as much as Chris loves pizza!)
    • Betsy Ross House
    • Museum of American Revolution
    • Rodin Museum – we’d throw this in for good measure

    Other Sites

    We don’t make our way to the East Coast very often, and if we could make it work, here’s some other sites on my wishlist that I think would fit well in this itinerary.

    • Vermont – Arlington Green Covered Bridge
    • Rhode Island – Newport Mansions
    • Maine – Acadia National Park (could probably be a trip in its own)
    • Washington D.C. – White House, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Smithsonian Museums

    Please comment and let me know what I’m missing!

    And with that, this wraps up my series about our Cross-Country Pizza Crawl! If you get a chance to do something similar, please let me know!

    Next up: I’ll detail our trip to Peru – the trip that sparked our love for travel.

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  • 5-Day Cross-Country Pizza Crawl Itinerary

    5-Day Cross-Country Pizza Crawl Itinerary

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