Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 3, 2014)
I SIX- Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, December 3, 2014 PERU TRIP -ContinueJfrom PACE ONE After an initial meet- and-greet. the group spent a couple of days in Lima get ting acclimated, and were taken on a walking tour that included Lima’s colo nial sites and the National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology, and History. Ellis said that one thing that made the trip successful was their 36-year-old guide, Ciro Villavicencia Callo, who not only spoke excel lent English but was also a history major and very passionate about the history and culture of his country. "We really benefitted from that guide versus an other. He had just a plethora o f know ledge. No note cards,” she added. “ For someone who was not at tracted to group tours, there was no disappointment. We couldn’t have asked for a better trip.” On Oct. 28 they left Lima to fly to Cuzco and explore the Sacred Valley and Pisac. Cuzco, which had been the capital of the Inca world, sits at 10,909 feet, which presented some challenges of its own. “You could really tell a difference in the air,” El lis said. “From the altitude you get nausea, shortness of breath, and sometimes the feeling like you just can’t get enough air. It only lasts a few seconds, but it can give you a panicky feeling.” Ellis said the Peruvians chew on coca leaves to relieve motion and altitude sickness—which she said doesn't provide a “high”— but hotels in the Sacred Val ley also offer oxygen tanks for their guests. Letters to the Editor Ellis said the Valle Sa- crado, or Sacred Valley, was the core of their trip. She said the valley is considered sacred because of the rich agriculture, which includes crops like corn, potatoes and quinoa. “There were a bazil- lion varieties of potatoes,” she said. “We ate a lot of potatoes.” Along with the crops, the valley also contained several Incan ruins. “ It’s beautiful,” she said, “surrounded by super, super tall mountains.” Ellis said that, even though the group was at nearly 11,000 feet and wearing t-shirts, they could look up at the taller mountains and see snow. The first ruin they vis ited was Pisac. “That was where we had our first ‘wow’ moment of the terraces and the size of them,” Ellis said. “Actu ally being next to them and seeing how many rocks had to be moved, just seeing the manpower that went into it, is amazing.” From there, the group rafted up the Urubamba River to Ollantayambo, where the visited more ruins and received the wel come surprise of walking into a small town where a festival was taking place. “All the people were in their traditional wear, and all the schoolchildren were parading through the town. There was lots of street food,” Ellis added. While they sampled the street food, they didn’t eat too much, since their next stop was to join a Peruvian family for a home-hosted The tour group members all took along gifts that they gave to local people they encountered. The gifts ranged front school supplies to pocket knives to hand-carved spoons. Here, two Peruvian girls are pictured with the Heppner t-shirts they received from Janelle Ellis. -Contributedphoto The Heppner Gazette Times will print all letters to the Editor with the following criteria met: letters submitted to the newspaper will need to have the name o f the sender along with a legible signature. We are also requesting that you provide your address and a phone number where you can be reached. The address and phone number will only be used for verification and will not be printed in the newspaper. Letters may not be libelous. The GT reserves the right to edit. The GT is not responsible for accuracy o f statements made in letters. Any letters expressing thanks will be placed in the classifieds under “Card o f Thanks" at a cost o f $10. Upper Left: “Team Lauritsen,” Pat and Carl Lauritsen of Heppner, at Machu Picchu. Upper Right: At Machu Picchu, “Team Healy”: (Back L-R) Jerry Healy, Janette Ellis, Jon Ellis. (Front L-R): Jean Healy, Jonas Healy, Joseph Healy. -Contributed photos lunch of cuy, a local deli cacy saved for special oc casions. Cuy is guinea pig. “ We had some who were a little hesitant,” Ellis said. “It tasted a lot like the dark meat on a turkey.” For those who were brave enough, they were also able to see how it was caught and skinned, and then participate in its prepa ration before the meal. The next day they took a two-hour train ride to the modern town o f Machu Picchu Pueblo and then endured a 20-minute bus ride to the ruins of Machu Picchu. “And it’s switchback,” Ellis said. “It's basically walls straight up.’’The alter native, she said, was to skip the train and the bus and go on a four-day hike through the Andes. While the group didn’t opt for that, they did get in some hiking on their second day exploring Ma chu Picchu. Most o f the group took advantage of the time to hike to the Sun Gate and Inka Bridge. The Lauritsens, who had been attracted to the trip at least partly by their love of hik ing, trekked up Wayna Pic chu, the “ Death H ike.” Despite the name, Ellis said they seemed to manage it easily enough. After Machu Picchu, they returned to Cuzco, where they were able to see the celebration o f Dia de los Muertos, of Day of the Dead, which Ellis said was not sad or spooky, but more of a celebration. Other highlights of the trip were a visit to a wom en’s weaving cooperative and a visit to a local school. At the weaving coop erative, the women showed them how they clean and dye the wool, and tour members got to try their hand at weaving. “Some of us were better at spooling wool than oth ers,” Ellis confessed. It was the school visit, where the students per formed poems and songs before they got a chance to visit one-on-one, that really struck a chord with the visitors. “This really stuck in people’s hearts not only because it was our last visit but because we got to inter act with the kids, and it was really fun,” Ellis said. “Very different class rooms, very sm all,” she added. “No computers. All of the posters on the walls were made by the teachers.” Ellis said that, of the entire trip, one moment that stood out was facing the ruins in Sacsayhuaman, which are constructed of huge stones, some weighing nearly 30 tons. “ The b oulders that made the walls were un real; they were the size of vehicles,” she said. “There was no mortar. The grind ing of the stones to make them fit with no mortar, no cracks, was unbelievable.” Otherwise, while other members of the tour might have their own opinions, Ellis said would have a difficult time choosing a highlight. “Machu Picchu is an obvious highlight o f the trip, but in general the Inca culture, the Sacred Valley in general...” she said, “the agriculture, the culture, the ruins. The slower-paced life.” Sports Schedules Cardinal Basketball Boys 12/5/2014, Fri 7:30pm vs. TBD (lo n e B asket ball Bonanza - lone School) 12/6/2014. Sat 5:30pm vs. TBD (lone Bas ketball Bonanza - lone School) 12/12/2014, Fri 4:30pm @ TBD (Heppner Kick- O ff Tournament - Hep pner) 12/13/2014, Sat 2:30pm @ TBD (Heppner Kick- Off Tournament - Hep pner) 12/16/2014, Tue 7:30pm vs. Irrigon 12/19/2014, Fri 7:30pm @ Riverside 12/30/2014, Tue 5:30pm @ Joseph 1/3/2015, Sat 5:30pm vs. Sherman 1/9/2015, Fri 7:30pm @ Arlington 1/10/2015, Sat 5:30pm vs. Dufur 1/16/2015, Fri 7:30pm @ M itchell / Spray (Spray) 1/17/2015, Sat 5:30pm vs. South Wasco County 1/23/2015, Fri 7:30pm @ H orizon C h ristia n , I Hood River 1/24/2015, Sat 6:30pm vs. Condon / Wheeler 1/27/2015, Tue 7:30pm @ Stanfield 1/30/2015, Fri 7:30pm @ Sherman 1/31/2015, Sat 5:30pm @ Condon / Wheeler (Fossil) 2/6/2015, Fri 7:30pm @ Dufur 2/7/2015, Sat 5:30pm vs. Arlington 2/10/2015, Tue 7:30pm vs. Horizon Christian, Hood River 2/13/2015, Fri 7:30pm @ South Wasco County 2/14/2015, Sat 5:30pm vs. Mitchell / Spray Girls 12/5/2014, Fri 6pm vs. Enterprise (lone Bas ketball Bonanza - lone School) 12/6/2014, Sat 4pm vs. TBD (lo n e B asket ball Bonanza - lone School) 12/12/2014, Fri 3pm @ TBD (Fleppner Kick- Off Tournament - Hep pner High School) 12/13/2014, Sat 1pm @ Vilsack refuses to address local concerns and needs To the editor: As the people of Eastern Oregon continue to speak out on the “Travel Management Plan” (i.e. road closures) and the Blue Mountains Forest Plan Revision (the foundation needed to justify road closures), Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack continues to turn a blind eye and deaf ear to our concerns. Many local residents from around the 11 counties of Eastern Oregon, as well as county officials, have spoken out in regards to how these plans will nega tively impact our ways o f life. Mr. Vilsack’s staff continues to stonewall the public from any real actions and seems to take pleasure in see ing just how far they can push the envelope in regards to limiting our access to the public lands we have depended on for the last 150 years. What will it take for Mr. Vilsack to address this issue, or more like, who will it take? As the people of Eastern Oregon do not have a champion politically connected to grab his ear to address the issues, what action will trigger his attention to address what is obviously becoming a railroading of the local rural resi dents of our region? Mr. Secretary, you speak in great pros of your love and economic concerns for rural communities and all that they offer to our country. You speak of your commitment to us, and to your passion to improve our ways of life; when then, sir, do we get to see that commitment come through? There is a fundamental disconnect between the words you speak and the actions of your staff in the U.S. Forest Service, and that begins at (USFS) Chief Tidwell’s level and is carried down through to your supervisors’ offices. You speak of supporting and building rural communities, while we see your leadership in the U.S. Forest Service tell us that this isn’t about our communities, but about a national need. When do you step in, Mr. Secretary, and tell your staff to act accordingly, and allow us the access we need to protect our communities? When? You are a representa tive for the people for the entire state. That includes rural areas. Denying access hinders rural economic growth, tourism dollars “trickle down” that would benefit us all. When will you take action? Terri Denton, Heppner Morrow County fair seeks new logo The Morrow County Fair is looking for a new logo and they want your help. Entries must say “Mor row County Fair” and must incorporate 4-H and FFA. All entries are due by March 15. Grand prize is $200. To find out more or turn in a logo, contact Ann Jones, The Morrow County Fair 541-676-9474, or P.O. Box is looking for a logo to replace this one. 464, Heppner, OR 97836. Mustang Basketball TBD (Heppner Kick- Off Tournament - Hep pner High School) 12/16/2014, Tue 6pm vs. Irrigon 12/19/2014, Fri 6 p m @ Riverside 12/30/2014, Tue 4pm @ Joseph 1/3/2015, Sat 4pm vs. Sher man 1/9/2015, Fri 6pm @ Ar lington 1/10/2015, Sat 4pm vs. Dufur 1 /1 6 /2 0 15, F ri 6pm @ M itchell / Spray (Spray) 1/17/2015, Sat 4pm vs. South Wasco County 1/23/2015, Fri 6pm @ Ho rizon Christian, Hood River 1/24/2015, Sat 5pm vs. Condon / Wheeler 1/27/2015, Tue 6pm @ Stanfield 1/30/2015, Fri 6pm @ Sher man 1/31/2015, Sat 4pm @ Con don / W heeler (Fos sil) 2 /6 /2 0 1 5 , Fri 6pm @ Dufur 2/7/2015, Sat 4pm vs. Ar lington 2/10/2015, Tue 6pm vs. Ho rizon Christian, Hood River 2/13/2015, Fri 6pm @ South Wasco County 2/14/2015, Sat 4pm vs. Mitchell / Spray Boys 12/5/2014, Fri 5pm @ K n a p p a ( W a r r io r Tip-Off Tournament - Warrenton) 12/6/2014, Sat TBD @ W arrenton (W arrior Tip-OfT Tournament - Warrenton) 12/12/2014, Fri TBD vs. Crane (Heppner Kick- Off Tournament - Hep pner) 12/13/2014, Sat TBD vs. TBD (Heppner Kick- Off Tournament - Hep pner) 12/16/2014, Tue 6:30pm vs. Condon / Wheeler 12/19/2014, Fri 7:30pm vs. Imbler 12/20/2014, Sat 5:30pm @ Grant Union 12/22/2014, Mon 5:30pm vs. South Wasco Coun ty 12/29/2014, Mon TBD @ TBD (C entral Linn Tournament - Halsey) 12 /3 0 /2 0 1 4 , Tue TBD @ T B D ( C e n tr a l Linn T ournam ent - Halsey) 12/31/2014, Wed TBD @ TBD (C entral Linn Tournament - Halsey) 1/9/2015, Fri 7:30pm @ Pilot Rock 1/16/2015, Fri 7:30pm vs. Irrigon 1/17/2015, Sat 5:30pm @ Stanfield l Imbler 1/23/2015, Fri 7:30pm @ 12/20/2014, Sat 4pm @ Weston-McEwen Grant Union 1/24/2015, Sat 5:30pm vs. 12/22/2014, Mon 4pm vs. Culver South Wasco C oun 1/30/2015, Fri 7:30pm vs. Pilot Rock ty 2/6/2015, Fri 7:30pm @ 12/29/2014, Mon TBD @ TBD (C entral Linn Irrigon Tournament - Halsey) 2/7/2015, Sat 5:30pm vs. 12/30/2014, Tue TBD @ Stanfield TBD (C entral Linn 2/13/2015, Fri 7:30pm vs. Tournament - Halsey) Weston-McEwen 2/14/2015, Sat 5:30pm @ 12/31/2014, Wed TBD @ TBD (C entral Linn Culver Tournament - Halsey) 2/20/2015, Fri D istrict Tournament - Pendle 1/9/2015, Fri 6pm @ Pilot Rock ton Convention Center 2/21/2015, Sat D istrict 1/16/2015, Fri 6pm vs. Ir rigon Tournament - PCC 1/17/2015, Sat 4pm @ Stanfield 12/5/2014, Fri 3:30pm 1/23/2015, Fri 6pm @ @ Knappa (W arrior Weston-McEwen Tip-Off Tournament - 1/24/2015, Sat 4pm vs. Warrenton) Culver 12/6/2014, Sat TBD @ 1/30/2015, Fri 6pm vs. Pilot W arrenton (W arrior Rock Tip-Off Tournament - 2/6/2015, Fri 6pm @ Ir Warrenton) rigon 12/12/2014, Fri TBD vs. 2/7/2015, Sat 4pm vs. Stan TBD (Heppner Kick- field Off Tournament - Hep 2/13/2015, Fri 6pm vs. pner) Weston-McEwen 12/13/2014, Sat TBD vs. 2/14/2015, Sat 2:30pm @ TBD (Heppner Kick- Culver Off Tournament - Hep 2/20/2015, Fri D istrict pner) Tournament - Pendle 12/16/2014, Tue 5pm vs. ton Convention Center Condon / Wheeler 2/21/2015, Sat D istrict 12/19/2014, Fri 6pm vs. Tournament - PCC Girls Keep up with your home team at http://www. osaa. org/
