While climbing in Peru my trekking watch finally bit the dust and I just replaced it with a new one. The watch includes all the standard timing functions (stop watch, alarm clock, dual time zone, count down timer), a compass, altimeter, thermometer, and barometer which is shown here indicating a massive pressure drop signaling approaching severe weather. My favorite feature is a built in sunrise/sunset calculator which is very handy for photography.

We received this photo today from Maya’s point class teacher with compliments on her form. I am looking forward with great anticipation to her next recital. Her joy for dance is apparent and I am pleased to see that she has interest in so many different styles.

Kyle and I returned to Concord last night leaving the rest of the family to enjoy the full Ferry Beach weekend. Kyle had work obligations and I had an important soccer match for which my team was short handed. To make matters worse, our goalie suffered a very severe dislocation of his thumb during warm ups and had to be rushed to the hospital. Another player was disabled during the first half with a torn calf muscle and is lost for the remainder of the season. Despite a lack of subs and the warm weather, we were able to secure a narrow 1-0 win over Lexington and in doing so secured a first place finish in our league with two games still remaining in the season. This also means we will be promoted to Division 3 in the fall. I spent the remainder of the day making good progress on the media center I am building completing all of the veneer work (spalted beech) and face frames.

With little time for photography, I am including photos from yesterday of my own children.

Ferry Beach offers our family an escape from our daily routines and an opportunity to socialize with new and old friends while participating in loosely organized activities including kayaking, birdwatching, volleyball, biking, sand castle building, beach combing, and a talent show to name a few. In years past I have taken candid portraits of all of the children and shared them with their families. This year I was greeted with many compliments and heart felt thanks for my prior work and needed little more encouragement to extend the tradition. A candid portrait seeks to capture a spontaneous moment that offers a glimpse into the spirit of a person. I do not claim to have achieved this goal but I believe my efforts are getting better. Here are some of my favorites. the complete set can be seen by following the Ferry Beach Portraits 2011 link to the right.

After work Kyle and I drove to Maine where we caught up with Jeanine, Maya and Nico who had driven up earlier in the day. Each year we make the journey to Ferry Beach (near Saco, ME) where we join members of the Concord and Lexington Unitarian Universalist churches for a family weekend retreat. We arrived just in time for a late dinner and were joined by Maya Rose Pedula (pictured here with our very own Maya Rose Calabria in front of an alfresco painting adjacent to the restaurant) and her mom. In addition to daughters who share the same first and middle names, the Pedula’s have three children identical in ages to ours and an Italian father.

This morning before work, Jeanine and I went for a short walk. She has been wanting to show me a local rookery where over 30 Blue Heron have made their nests. Swarming mosquitoes prevented any real photography but I plan to return with a long lens and proper repellent in the very near future. I am constantly amazed by the proximity of such wonderful animal habitats and am thrilled to have another photo destination to add to my list.

When I returned from work this evening I found Maya and Nico playing a little Frisbee. More often than not they will choose to hang out with their respective friends but occasionally, perhaps when other options are exhausted, they will play with each other and they invariably have a lot of fun doing so.

It has been 6 weeks since I joined a group of my colleagues at work on a voluntary weight loss plan. My start weight was 186 and my goal was 166. Today, after a 6am soccer scrimmage I weighed in below my target for the first time. Losing 3 pounds per week has taken its toll on my muscle mass so now I will shift to strength training with a slight increase to my calorie intake. It is amazing how much speed I have gained on the soccer pitch by shedding 12% of my weight.

Each year the Boston Globe ranks the top 100 public companies in New England in terms of business achievement. iRobot moved from 45th position last year to 4th place. From the Globe: As a group, they matter because they are leading the state out of a painful recession and slowly putting the Massachusetts economy back on its feet. They are selling more, earning more, and becoming more powerful engines for economic revival in a time of need.

My last woodworking project was a kayak and before that the finishing of our basement. This weekend I started a furniture project when all attempts to find an entertainment center of the proper size and proportions failed. The unit will be composed of four sections, a console, two flanking bookshelves and a bridge. I am on pace to complete construction of the carcasses by this evening. Next weekend I will start on trim and veneer work (assuming we can decide on a wood species by then). This morning my soccer team played Wayland and came away with a 2-1 win. I played very well in my leaner form factor and just missed two headers. Jeanine and Kyle are taking advantage of the weather to work outside.

Our friend Doug Yoder celebrated his 50th birthday this evening with a culinary gala at his home. Guests were treated to passed hors d’oeuvres (Maya was one of the passers) followed by a sit down dinner and dessert. The food was out of this world and it was fun catching up with friends I have not seen in some time.

After our Harbor cruise yesterday, as I was waiting to board the bus back to iRobot, about a dozen race cars accompanied by police escorts zoomed through the streets of Boston. Not your every day scene. After work I headed to REI for the start of their big annual sale where I took advantage of the savings to upgrade my tent and sleeping pad which will yield a most welcome 2 pound weight reduction in my overnight pack weight.

In celebration of the production start on two major iRobot products, contributing members of our product development and marketing teams were treated to a cruise of Boston Harbor and an exquisite lunch served on board. Despite a forecast for continued rain, the weather cooperated and we got to enjoy the views without getting wet although the grey skies did little to enhance the quality of the photographs.

After work the family was joined for dinner by Nora, who is about to complete her Master’s Degree at MIT. I have been her Gordon Leadership Program Mentor for the past two years and she will be leaving for Seattle to join Microsoft as a Program Manager when she completes her thesis. It was great having the opportunity to introduce her to the entire family and the kids really enjoyed meeting her. I hope to remain in touch and am expecting great things in her future.

While I was in Peru, Nicolai attended the Sophomore Semi (semi-formal ball at the high school) with his friend Chloe and we just received this photo of Homoeopathy believes in a holistic, totalistic and buy cheap levitra individualistic approach to medicine. Pills similar to opium unfavorably have tadalafil 20mg españa an effect on erectile bodies or corpus cavernosa inside the penis. We’ll make the ride efficient also with Atlanta Limousine Rental, and you won’t spend cialis overnight shipping one minute longer than absolutely necessary to reach your family’s destination. It also reduces the risk of levitra ordering cardiovascular problem, hypertension etc. them together at her house. I hate missing an opportunity to photograph the kids when they are all dressed up and I am simply going to have to wait until the junior prom for my next chance.

My Audi was in for its first scheduled service today. While waiting, it was hard not to admire the R8s on the showroom floor. While I appreciate the beauty and awesome engineering, I no longer find myself coveting such cars. Now that I can afford one my priorities have shifted to a car that can carry the whole family, a couple of kayaks, and never be stranded in the snow. The thought of a second car just for tooling around is simply too wasteful to consider.

Sporting the alpaca sweater I purchased for him while in Peru, Kyle does internet research on a company which has a very similar business model to Yard Dogs. He is trying to decide if it makes sense to expand his general landscaping business to include lawn mowing. Doing so would mean buying mowers for each of his crews. Performance anxiety is a big factor in causing ED especially levitra sales online among younger men. Swelling of hands and feet High blood sugar Excessive sweating cialis tadalafil 50mg Increased growth of body hair Coarsened facial features Misalignment of teeth Heart problems Joint pain 3. This in turn results in a better sexual pamelaannschoolofdance.com order cialis online health. Hormonal disorders and occasionally unhealthy lifestyle choices similarly incurs erectile dysfunction. http://pamelaannschoolofdance.com/amy-geldhof/ order cheap cialis I enjoy discussing the various options with Kyle and watching the mind of a true businessman at work. There is little doubt in my mind that his career is destined to follow a very entrepreneurial path.

A team photo I took earlier in the season was missing a couple of players so we took another today after our match with Ashland. Spirits were high as we avenged our only loss of the season and moved solidly into first place. We scored twice, late in the first half and held them scoreless for the 2-0 win. I have lost ten pounds in the two weeks since I last played and was feeling down right speedy.I had one shot on goal, a chest trap to a left foot volley which was just wide of the net. Jeanine and I went out for lunch and then spent the afternoon shopping for furniture, something we do about once every five years. We were unable to find what we were looking for and agreed that it made more sense to complete our shopping on the internet. Poor excuse for a date, but I was happy for the time together.

Occasionally I am presented with a photo opportunity which defies my own imagination. This afternoon Maya and a group of her friends created this human collage and I was actually requested to take a photo so they could see the results of their artistic endeavor. Earlier in the day, during her soccer match, Maya scored a very nice goal off a full volley and I enjoyed listening to her retelling of the story.

After work this evening I met Jeanine and our friend Carolyn Haney at the CCHS soccer fields where Maya has practice until 7PM. We did some power walking on the course used by the cross country team. It was a very healthy way to pass the time. We also paused to watch the high school students attending the Junior Prom emerge from the school, dressed to the 9’s, promenading in pairs to the buses which would take them to the gala. I found it both entertaining and a little sad to watch all the young girls struggling to walk in their ultra high heel shoes and have made a note to discuss the insanity of these foot torture devices with Maya before she is brain washed into thinking that fashion trumps comfort.

After each quarter in which my division at iRobot exceeds its business plan objectives we head out to a different venue to celebrate. Q1 was a great success and our destination today was Waxy O’Connor’s Irish Pub and Restaurant. I made a point of socializing with folks outside my department and was glad to meet and get to know several folks from the sales and marketing organizations. The party began at 4PM at this unlikely looking building which looked more like a high end home than an Irish pub. Once inside, however, there was little doubt as to the authenticity of the theme.

Maya is generally an enthusiastic kid but today she could hardly contain her excitement as she modeled her new ballet point shoes for me. Jeanine was equally happy about the mother-daughter experience of fitting and buying the shoes together. A future entry will no doubt document Maya’s first ballet recital on point. Her interest in dance and ballet continues to grow and it appears she will be the Calabria from this family who will carry on the tradition of dancing established by my parents.

My red-eye from Lima arrived in Houston early this morning. I was able to clear customs quickly allowing me just enough time to catch a much earlier direct flight to Boston, shaving 8 hours off my planned return travel time. The flight took me over the Mississippi River which is experiencing terrible flooding. The photo quality is not good but if you click to enlarge you should be able to see many farms and homes that have been surrounded or inundated by water.

For the first time on this vacation I sleep in until 7AM and enjoy a proper breakfast before setting out on a walking tour of Cusco.

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In order to catch the sunrise and beat the crowds I woke up at 4AM this morning to begin the climb from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. Using a headlamp to illuminate the path, I made a one hour vertical ascent to the main entrance gate. This is an arduous trek with 20 pounds of camera gear, water, and food for the day in my day pack. Most early risers are interested in getting one of the limited number of stamps permitting access to climb Huayana Picchu (the tall peak rising behind the ruins). Although I obtained a stamp, my sole focus was on photography and I immediately entereded the grounds and made a final ascent to the the guard house. I was the first to arrive and immediately awestruck by the magnificence of the birds-eye view of the citadel. I quickly began to photograph the ruins before they were over run with visitors.

Even small adjustments in positioning expose new perspectives on the ruins and I spent several hours photographing the site. Over the coming weeks, I will process all my images and select a few favorites for enlargement. Included here are some of my initial picks.

When my appetite for photography was sated, I relaxed and started a leisurely exploration of the ruins. Rather than move between points of interest at the pace of the tour guides, I dwell in each location and imagine what it must have been like to actually live in this place of amazing beauty and architectural sophistication. Food is not permitted on the grounds but I have smuggled in a small lunch which I enjoy in the privacy of a tiny nook which overlooks the majesty of the Andes careful to leave behind no trash. The true purpose of Machu Picchu is still a matter of scholarly debate. What is clear, is that this place was created by a people filled with a deep spiritual connection to the natural world, an appreciation for beauty, and engineering skills far ahead of their time. This place is indeed one of the wonders of the world.

I descended Machu Picchu by bus, collected my main back pack at the hostel and then proceeded to the train station. The rail journey to Ollantaytambo offered spectacular views at every turn not to mention a fashion show by the crew (modelling Peruvian knitted wear). Next I shared a taxi with a very friendly couple from Uruguay for the final two hours of the return to Cusco. After settling into my hostel and showering I headed out for a light dinner followed by a one hour ($12) massage leaving me totally relaxed. I slept like a baby.

Our trekking group is off to another 5AM start to what will be a predominantly down hill trekking day along the Rio Santa Teresa. Temperatures continue to increase as we descend into the jungle and the flora we encounter today includes some extremely beautiful varieties. I find myself stopping continuously to capture images of flowers and having to scamper to keep pace with my comrades.

Included here is a small sampling of the flowers that I encountered today. The full collection, in high resolution, can be found by following the Peru Photos link in the Links section to the right. Also included are hundreds more photos from the trek.

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In addition to my fellow trekkers, Roberto and Taylor have been my constant companions on the trail responsible for managing the horse which carries my gear. Although he speaks no English and I little Spanish we were able to communicate fairly well and he came to anticipate when I would be most likely to reach for my tripod and when I was likely to make a lens change. He also made some good suggestions for photographs and I did my best to explain to him what I was doing. I gave him a very handsome tip at the end of the trail and also shared my water with him throughout each day.

Because of my limited time in country, I must leave the group a day early and take the train from Hidroelectica to Aquas Calientes where I have a hostel reserved for the night. We coordinated a plan to share contact information and I truly hope we will stay in touch or better yet see each other again. The train ride was an adventure in itself. Five minutes out of the station it stopped and started going backwards. I assumed we had forgotten something at the station. In fact the train was navigating a set of switchbacks needed to climb the steep grades.

As the train approached Aquas Calientes there was a great view of a mountain adjacent to the one upon which Machu Picchu sits giving some perspective as to why the Spanish never discovered the Incan Citadel during their years of occupation. Compared to other mountain ranges I am familiar with the Andes have the most sheer vertical edges of any. After arriving in town I stowed my gear at the hostel, grabbed a quick bite and then set out for a little night time photography before enjoying my first hot shower in days and a really good nights sleep.

The group is awake and packed by 5:30AM (some with more prodding than others) for what will be our toughest climbing day. We will spend just over ten hours on the trail and cover 15 miles crossing the Salkantay Pass at 15,100 feet.

Fatigue from traversing the endless switchbacks gives way to exuberance as we reach the rock strewn pass with phenomenal views in all directions.

Our guide, Willie, takes pictures of the group as we briefly rest at the highest elevation on our trek.

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Now the toughest part of the trekking begins for me, the descent. I find going down far more difficult because of the impact on my knees and break out my trekking poles to help absorb some of the strain. I have managed to keep pace with the youngsters as we climb but will be last into camp everyday that we descend. Around 1PM we reach Huayracmachay where we pause for lunch and rest.

Every few hours along the trail, one can find a tiny little shack where the local farmers add to their income by selling bottled water, sodas and snacks. They are welcome waypoints and the group is always happy to take a break from the climbing.

Following the group all day is Taylor, the cute little dog owned by the tender of the horse carrying my photo gear. (S)he is very careful to not get under foot and has been a great travelling companion who can be counted on to pick the easiest path through mud and water. We arrive at our camp in Chaullay with the last light of the day and enjoy a well earned dinner by candle light. Each tent holds two people but as the eleventh member of the team and the one with the most stuff (read camera gear) I am afforded single occupancy.

At 4:45AM I am shuttled from my hostel to the center of town where a small bus (van) is waiting to take my trekking group to the starting point of our climb in the town of Mollepata. With each sharp right or left hand turn (of which there are many) the front tires rub on their fender wells under the weight of 12 passengers and all their gear (strapped to the roof). I was sure one of the tires would burst just as we rounded a cliff edged curve and found it hard to relax during the two hour drive. To my surprise, we arrive without incident. We sat down for breakfast during which I meet the other members of our trekking group. There is one unmarried couple in transition from Dublin to Barcelona who have been travelling through India and New Zealand, two Israeli soldiers who have just completed their military service and have been travelling through South America for months, 2 Spanish speaking women travelling together (did not get to know them too well because of the language barrier), a woman from Atlanta and one from California travelling alone through South America for months and doing charity work, a man from Manchester, England fresh off a trek in Nepal and a man from North Dakota who had just completed 4 years living in China. Of the ten, none are married, have children, or a job and the average age is less than half of mine. Each one to be admired for their journeys and acts of service. Despite sticking out like a sore thumb the group embraced me from the first minute and this would become my family for the next four days.

We climb for 7-8 hours today covering a distance of about 11 miles. I have hired a horse to carry my photo gear (the best money I have ever spent) and am able to access my tripod, lenses and gear as needed. As we climb progressively higher the lush vegetation and fields give way to a more rocky terrain and the temperature drops noticeably with each hour of ascent. Soon we can see the glaciers which cling to the mountain tops creating for me a nice motivational target for the ongoing ascent.

We break for lunch at about 1PM enjoying tea, soup, and chicken with rice. Despite my diet I eat everything in sight to help sustain my energy. Having come from sea level just 2 days earlier I am being very careful to control my climbing pace. So far no problem keeping pace with the youngsters as we spend the afternoon climbing to our campsite at Soray Pampa (8,600 feet)

Our campsite has a shelter constructed with of tarps over a wood pole frame which provides shelter from wind and rain for both our tents and our dining area. With the sun rapidly setting we get an up close view of the Salkantay glacier which we will climb past tomorrow.

Sleep comes quickly for me in the sub-zero temperatures but with the lack of adequate padding, I found myself awake just a few hours later and had to settle for closed eye resting in lieu of more sleep.

After a nice breakfast and brisk walk through a park adjacent to my hotel, I head back to the airport for a flight to Cusco. As my plane taxis away from the gate I notice a massive plume of smoke from a fire or explosion. I was never able to learn the cause but was grateful that my plane was already off the gate when it happened.

On arrival in Cusco my first priority was to connect with a trekking company. Jeanine made me promise that I would not climb alone and I quickly made arrangements for a 4 day, 3 night trek over the Salkantay Pass leaving very early the next morning. Next I hired a driver and guide to take me on a tour of the Sacred Valley for the remainder of the day. Before heading off I snapped a couple of pictures in Cusco.

The ruins at Chinchero are our first stop. The superb stonework of the terraced walls and mountainside food repositories reveal the craftsmanship and ingenuity of the Incan people.

We then move on to Ollantaytambo. During the Inca Empire, it was the royal estate of Emperor Pachacuti who conquered the region, built the town and a ceremonial center. At the time of the Spanish conquest of Peru it served as a stronghold for Manco Inca Yupanqui, leader of the Inca resistance.

As night time arrives we make the long drive back to Cusco where I do a little more photography before finding a nice restaurant for dinner. In the process of making the last photo here (shot from inside the restaurant) of the Plaza de Armas, I met a gentleman from Lyon, France who was also dining alone. During the ensuing conversation we discovered we shared a great deal in common and we parted by sharing invitations to visit each others homes. I arrived at my hostel by 8PM just in time to meet a representative from the trekking company to receive an orientation for the climbing to begin tomorrow.
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My journey to Peru begins at 4AM this morning. I drive myself to the airport where I take a flight to Chicago, then Houston, and finally on to Lima, arriving at 10:30PM. I reach my hotel in the San Isidro district by midnight and am soon fast asleep. No opportunity for photos today.

Last week I happened upon a picture of Machu Picchu and decided it would be the destination for my next solo trekking adventure. After some quick research I determined that this week would be a perfect time to make the journey as the rainy season is mostly over and winter and the main tourist season has not yet arrived. My frequent flyer miles got me as far as Lima and I will complete the journey using a domestic air carrier, a train, a bus, and three days worth of trekking over the 15,000 foot Salkantay Pass to reach this mystical lost Incan city. I am taking a 50L pack for the trekking as well as a 25L day pack and my camera which weigh in at just over 40 pounds which is a comfortable load for me these days. I will return on May 10th and will not post again until then at which time I hope to have returned with my own Peruvian treasure trove of images. Jeanine has made me promise I will not climb alone and I will make arrangements to join up with a trekking group when I arrive in Cusco.

This morning I carpooled with teammates to Medway where we secured first place standing in our over 50 soccer league with a narrow win. With five minutes left in the match I scored the only goal of the contest. It was neither pretty nor well struck but did manage to squirm past the keeper for the win. Later in the afternoon I went for a 90 minute walk and was fortunate to capture this image in which my subject was not busy grazing as has been the case in most of my past attempts to photograph horses.