Our third day in Peru's Manu National Park began very early, leaving before daybreak at 5:20 am. in the boat to beat the parrots that come each morning to this clay lick.

Saturday was the first game day of basketball season for these three Gray kids.

Despite our rugged accommodations, both Kim and I slept like the proverbial babies (not like REAL babies who, as I recollect, don't sleep all that well) and were rearing to go the next morning.

Manu is the reason we came to Peru. (Kim and me with our fabulous guide Nicolas at the park entrance.)

Our very early morning flight took us from Lima, Peru up into the Andes Mountains and set us down in the city of Cusco, elevation 11,152 feet.

After three amazing days in the Amazon jungle (we shall return before we leave Peru!), we reluctantly packed up and left our treehouse abode to visit another area of Peru.

October is the birthday month for so many of the people I love, Peggy being the last in a string of special October birthdays!  (I guess those cold Indiana winters are good for something...)

October is a month full of birthday celebrations in the Gray family...yesterday was Kim's turn. The old man turned 62.

My twin granddaughters, Kassie and Kelsey, just turned 5 and celebrated their birthdays on Sunday.

Three times each day, Orlando and our boatman Ugo would take Kim and me out in a motorized canoe...