On the move –

We started our transition from wine and extravagant meals to more temperate days in Patagonia (Chile side). We flew from Mendoza to Santiago where we met our trip leader and the two other trip participants, Janelle (NY) and Beatrice (San Pablo, Brazil). Lucky Ron, he is heading out on our adventure with three women and our guide Raffaele.

We were lucky to have a beautiful morning our first day in Mendoza and again as we were leaving. Notice the snow level in the Andes and how far it had dropped over the last few days of cold wet weather! Nice send off for us.

Our flight took us across the Andes from Argentina to Chile with amazing views right out the window of the plane. I am not 100% sure which volcano we are looking at but I’m told you can hike up to it if the weather allows – another trip maybe?

We spent the night in Santiago but had an early morning wake up to catch our flight from Santiago to Puerto Montt where we start our Lake District (Los Logos) experience. We had a short walk thru a temperate rain forest in the Lahuen Nadi Natural Monument where one of the last stands of redwoods (Fitzroya cupressoide or alerce trees) are located.

An hours drive later we arrived at our hotel for the next four days located on the edge of Lake Llanquihue so those of you who know us well know what the most important order of business is…..knocking off yet another body of water on paddle boards! My memory is a bit fuzzy but I think Lake Llanquihue would be our 77th unique body of water. I’ll need to double check when we return 🙄

This is one of two volcanos visible from the lake (and our room!). Osorno is approx 2600’ and quickly sucked up the clouds to obscure the view! We are told if the volcano is wearing a hat we should expect rain soon…..

Our first day is coming to a close so we had to try a Chilean wine along with what the locals are telling us is a very tasty sea creature…Picoroco…still not sure what it was but it did remind us some of a clam…the adventure is not only out in the environment but every night at dinner! Buenos noches our family and friends –