Sunday, November 4, 2012

Springtime in Patagonia

It’s been a long time since we’ve been in an area which has four seasons.  The region we’re in, Patagonia, is famous for adverse weather.  So our arrival here is timed with the coming of spring.

Springtime in Patagonia, Argentina.

Trees and flowers are blooming and the weather is good.  The area is filled with beautiful national parks.  Officially they don’t open until November 1st, so we have them pretty much all to ourselves.

On leaving Bariloche we continued along beautiful roads past El Bolson, Argentina.

On the way to El Bolson, Argentina.  Near El Bolson, Argentina.

Riding on Route 40 again.  From Bariloche to El Bolson.

Crazy lenticular clouds mean lots of wind.

Crazy lenticular clouds are a sign of the strong wind here.

Staying with Jose-Luis at his casa in El Bolson, Argentina.

Jose Luis, our wonderful Warmshowers host in El Bolson.

Lago Puelo near El Bolson, Argentina.

Lago Puelo in Parque Nacional Lago Puelo, Argentina.

Looking towards Parque Nacional Los Alerces, Argentina.

Near Cholila, Argentina.

South of El Bolson, we rode through Parque Nacional Los Alerces, Argentina.  The park wasn’t officially open, so again we saved on the (very expensive) entrance fee and barely saw any other tourists during the two days we spent there.

Flamingoes near Lago Rivadavia in Parque Nacional Los Alerces, Argentina.

Flamingoes in the park.  They feed on algae and organisms in the mud or shallow water.

Riding through Parque Nacional Los Alerces, Argentina.  Riding through Parque Nacional Los Alerces, Argentina.

What a pleasure to ride through such a beautiful place.

Sometimes the roads aren't so bicycle friendly.  In Parque Nacional Los Alerces, Argentina.

You may notice lots of photos of dirt roads.  Some were in great condition … some weren’t.

And then we experienced the other thing that happens during the spring: rain.  It rained harder than we’ve seen in a long time and we got really, really wet.  Unfortunately this turned a cold we both picked up into bronchitis.  It also happens that our tent isn’t waterproof anymore, probably from all the blowing dust we’ve experienced along the way.  What a bad time to find out! 

Soaked in Parque Nacional Los Alerces, Argentina.

Soaked in Parque Nacional Los Alerces, Argentina.

Soaked in Parque Nacional Los Alerces, Argentina.

Lots and lots of rain.

Having Welsh tea in Trevelin, Argentina.

Out of the park, drying out with Welsh tea in sunny Trevelin, Argentina.

After the park we passed through Trevelin, Argentina.  It’s a pretty but odd Welsh settlement snuggled up against the snowy Andes.  This was our last stop before heading back to Chile.  Afterwards it was only a short day to cross the Andes again to Futaleufu, Chile.

Riding towards the border from Trevelin, Argentina.

Riding towards the Chilean border from Trevelin, Argentina.

Riding towards Chile with Parque Nacional Los Alerces in the background.

Looking back towards Parque Nacional Los Alerces on the way to Chile.

Futaleufu!  The mighty Futaleufu river, Chile.

For our kayaking friends.  The Futaleufu is one of the most famous kayaking rivers in the world.

A book and a woodstove.

But all we did was rest and recover (and try to re-waterproof our tent).  We had the woodstove in our room cranked for three nights.

From Futaleufu we start riding on the world famous Carretera Austral.  Stay tuned for more rain, wind, dirt roads, and beautiful scenery.

4 comments:

  1. How did you know the Altocumulus lenticularis is my favorite cloud form . . . wait . . . who has a "favorite" cloud form?

    Ah well . . . it's a pleasure seeing you are doing well, if somewhat damp. It's been great being able to follow your trip from here. Thanks for keeping the blog current!

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    1. Strange, I always took you for a Cumulonimbus kind of guy ;)

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  2. The R&R time even looks wonderful.... Take Care ... JPP

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  3. I'm sorry to hear that your tent isn't waterproof anymore! The scenery looks beautiful (I know I've said this a bunch of times - but the pictures you guys post are gorgeous!)

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