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| Machu Picchu taken from Huayna Picchu |
Romance
author Virginia Kelly has been a finalist in many prestigious writing
competitions. She writes about dangerous heroes (sexy, gorgeous ones, of
course!) and the adventurous women willing to take a chance on them. A native
of Peru, she works as academic librarian. Learn more about her and her books at
her website.
Hiking Adventures: From Incas to Mountain Goats
Travel is my passion. When I
travel, I like to hike. I’ve hiked in Arizona, Virginia, New Mexico, Oregon,
Washington state, the Scottish Highlands and many other places. I live along
the northern Gulf of Mexico, so my “at home” hikes are what I have to refer to
as “easy” as far as elevation gains (none at all). But, given an opportunity, I’m
up for an adventure—sometimes foolishly.
First up: the hike up Huayna
Picchu. That’s the little hill (ha!) that appears behind Peru’s Machu Picchu in
all the iconic pictures. Huayna Picchu, at 8,920 feet above sea level,
is 1,183 feet higher than Machu Picchu. Ouch. We set off, my youngest and I. He
was eighteen; I wasn’t. It took him 35 minutes (he was trying to beat the
record; I wasn’t). It took me an hour and a half. By the way, the top of Huayna
Picchu is not flat. It’s this chaotic mess of slanted boulders, all threatening
to make a person slide off into nothingness. Scary. Why did I do it? Because I
have a slight touch of why “the bear went over the mountain.” I still don’t
know how long that trail is, but one website said this is a “moderate” hike.
For an Inca. I’m not (even though I’m half Peruvian).
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| Moosehead Lake, Maine |
Next came an ill-fated hike
near Moosehead Lake in Maine. The brochure said Burnt Jacket Mountain would be
an “easy” two-mile round trip hike. I believe the two-mile part—maybe. Easy?
For a mountain goat (none in Maine). Anyway, the mile ascent had an elevation
gain of 550 feet. That sounds easy, compared to Huayna Picchu, right?
Especially when the trailhead is at only 1,030 feet above sea level. It didn’t
take long for me to (breathlessly) reach the top. Trees had grown around the
large boulders so taking pictures required climbing atop said large boulders in
order to see the lake. I took my pictures and stepped down. I’m a flat-lander.
I totally forgot I was on a boulder and did a face plant. I caught myself with
my right hand (scraped), my camera dangled between boulders (mercifully
unbroken), and my glasses were bent (they’d gouged a cut into the bridge of my
nose). Ouch. A little more to the left or right and I could have been knocked
unconscious to be eaten by a bear (many in Maine). I don’t hike alone any more.
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| Glacier National Park |
Recently I traveled to
Montana to visit Glacier National Park with the son who raced up Huayna Picchu.
I made a fatal mistake: I didn’t carefully read about the trail *he* wanted to
take to Trout Lake. Off we went, me following this (still, of course) much
younger son. He kept saying, “It’s just over the next rise.” He said this several
times until I lost count of how many rises we’d climbed. Finally, we reached
the sign that gave us a little information. We’d come 2.3 miles. It was another
1.5 to the lake my son wanted to fish. It was late, we might not get back
before dark, so, back down we came. I know it’s easier to climb up than to come
down, but the last mile of that descent had me talking to myself. First it was,
“Ouch, ouch, ouch,” with each step, as my left knee complained. Then I
graduated to talking to myself. In Spanish. Finally I reverted to “ouch” again.
Until my son heard me mumbling. Then I just went for it with a full-throated
“ouch” all the way to the bottom. There I read the trail sign. We’d started at
Lake McDonald, at 3,153 feet above sea level, and climbed 2,500 feet. Ouch!!! About
the mountain goats. There are some at Glacier National Park. None on that
trail, but we saw them elsewhere. My son gave me a congratulatory hug for
having survived that hike. I was so tired I couldn’t pat myself on my back ;-)
I don’t regret the
misadventures because they’ve provided me with unforgettable memories. Have you
ever challenged yourself to try something, wondered what you were thinking,
then found satisfaction in the effort? I certainly have.
Take a Chance on Me
She has a
target on her back...only he can save her
An
injury robbed Delta Force Operator Bobby Alvarez's memories of the mission that
left a brother-in-arms dead. He blames himself, and until his memory returns,
he won’t stop questioning his abilities. On leave, he’s forced to use the
skills and sixth sense that failed to keep his team safe.
Melanie
Mackenzie overheard a powerful U.S. senator admit to murder, and now he’s set
her up to take the fall. With overwhelming evidence against her for murder and
treason, she’s on the run from the senator's hitmen and the FBI. There’s no one
she can trust, and even the stranger she meets on the beach seems more threat
than salvation—until the hitmen find her.
Working
together to clear her name, Bobby and Mel race to stay ahead of the killers,
but the simmering desire between them may be danger in disguise. Because
Bobby’s keeping a secret that could end any chance at happiness…and lead them
both into a death trap.
Secrets,
murder, treason, and fiery passion. Who can you trust?
