Mountains, Ruins, and Animals...

We just returned from a whirlwind jaunt to Peru and Bolivia. Our time away was memorable and exciting, full of many new experiences and highlights. It was our first time in South America, though hopefully not our last. We barely scratched the surface of that amazing continent. Much of our time was spent in or near mountains. High altitudes humbled us at times, as even a few flights of stairs took our breath away in the beginning. The cultures were vibrant and colorful. We ate lots of potatoes, bread, and papaya. Additionally, we rode in some crazy taxis and buses. We explored endless Incan Ruins, and saw a lot of incredible animals in the Amazon. The sights were unreal. There were moments when we felt frustrated, however, by transportation delays and overzealous salespeople. Working through those challenges, reaffirmed our love for the adventure of it all. Traveling is truly about the journey, and not the destination. Sometimes it is good to practice the art of letting go and trusting that things will work out. For those are the true moment of joy and awe, when you find yourself bumping down a crazy and unfamiliar road, amongst a group of other travelers who are equally in disbelief and shock about their current reality. Though no one is certain of the when or where of an arrival, everyone can look out the window and feel amazed by the same rosy sunset that makes us all feel lucky to just be.

Hiking in the High Peruvian Andes

Machu PicchuMaking New Llama FriendsA Festive Parade of Dancing ChildrenSunrise in the Bolivian PampasSearching for Anacondas in the AmazonANACONDA!!!Fishing for Piranhas, Catching Something ElsePotato Vendor in La Paz, Bolivia

A New Niece...

Early this morning, Kyle and I received a text message from the hospital announcing the birth of our new niece Addison Claire. We are so happy for their little family! What a fun Mother's Day surprise for them all. Congratulations K, K, and A!

Living up to her nickname...

For the past couple of months, Kyle and I have been jokingly referring to Lindsey as Stinky. Though she doesn't typically have an obnoxious odor, sometimes her attitude is a little sour or mischievous, which makes her a bit of a stinker. Yesterday, however, Lindsey's nickname took on a whole new meaning. We were nearing the end of our walk on the bluffs, when Lindsey dashed into the bushes. Seconds later I heard a strange bark, followed by an unmistakable odor. Lindsey had uncovered a skunk, and had gotten sprayed in the process. The clean-up was a bit laborious, though just a faint odor can be detected at the moment. Wow! That was a new experience for us all. Hopefully we won't be repeating it again anytime in the future. Skunked dogs reek!

Celebrity spotting...

It is that time of the year again in Santa Barbara, when the celebrities flock to town in celebration of films. The Santa Barbara International Film Festival infuses the city with some famous faces and lots of gawkers. Last night, we ventured out amongst the masses, to do some celebrity spotting at the local Arlington Theater. We were fortunate to see Sandra Bullock and Forest Whitaker. Celebrity spotting is kind of a silly form of entertainment, though a fun and cheap perk of living in Santa Barbara. Sometimes, it is enjoyable to do things like this, simply because we can!

A wish for a happy 2010...

Happy New Year from the K-deux crew! May 2010 be one of your best years ever! Cheers!