Leaving the lakes
So leaving Bariloche was good, and about time too. We had spent too much time there and money, as you do when you’re bored and just waiting for the bikes to be ready. The trailer we bought over the phone from Buenos Aires turned out to be pretty crap, as it failed to connect to the bike in a satisfactory way; so now we’re stuck with having to carry all the weight as before on the bike without off-loading any to a trailer. We had however, managed on the last day 
in Bariloche to sell the trailer to one of the local bike shop owners and recoup some of the money at least.
With very little to occupy our minds sometimes except to admire the stunning scenery and count the clicks, I remembered a couple of things that just come into my mind when I’m on the road or milling around the tent. Firstly, we had a blossom tree above our tent on the first night out from Bariloche with some bumble bees drifting around and this got me thinking; do bees sleep, and if so, where? And on that matter where do all the flies and midgies go as well?
Secondly, why is it that when we’re on the road cycling, is it that we can go for hours without any traffic and then when we do, just like buses two come along in opposite directions and they cross at exactly the point where we are; where there is the least space - chuffing annoying.
On the bushie front, we’ve had a breakthrough. Jen now forewarns me of her intended maneuvers and says “bushie on the left”, I reply with “roger” and move the bike to the right hand side as she drifts to the left, that way I managed to miss the goo that she ejects from her nose.
Anyhow, we’re continuing on the road south but for the next few days we’ll be heading west in order to cross into Chile before going south again joining the Carretera Austral. We’re pretty excited by this as we’ve heard so much about it and is fabled by so many cyclists; however, the road will be all unpaved and we’re hoping for a good compacted surface without the nightmare stone covered roads we have experience through the national parks here in Argentina.
On the topic of national parks, Los Alerces whose name comes from a tree, the Alerce (Patagonian Cypress) which resembles California’s giant Sequioa. has again been stunning, although tough going on the poor road surfaces, but then if it were easy going more people would be here and then it wouldn’t be so special. From all the people we’ve spoken with about our journey recently, all of them have commented on just how beautiful the Carratera Austral is, so we can only imagine how much better it is going to get and that said when we’re already stood in some of the most beautiful places on earth!
For those that don’t know, the Carretera Austral is Chile’s southern highway and stretches for about 1000km from Puerto Montt down to Villa O’Higgins through Chile’s wettest, greenest and wildest parts. It cuts through snow-capped mountains, ice age glaciers and blue-green fjords and is one of the worlds largest temperate rainforests. This is Chile’s final frontier and took 100 years to build with the final section being completed in 2000. At the end of the line we will cross back into Argentina continue to push through the harshest and windiest weather of all until we reach Ushuia.
Well that’s pretty much it, we’re currently having a rest day in Trevelin, the last town in the Chubut region with any noticeable Welsh character left and tomorrow will continue on to Futalefu and cross the Chilean border. We don’t expect to get too many more chances for web updates as the areas are becoming increasingly remote and just pure wilderness at times, although we will do our best as we know you how much you like receiving them. 
The bikes are holding up at the moment with only one genuine puncture on my bike from a sharp wire since Bariloche. Both of us are becoming increasingly stronger on the legs front, but the weather is definitely making life harsh with a night in the tent and a temperature of 3.9 celcius inside, and a morning with the tent all frosted and bike bottles frozen, not to mention our first snow flurry leaving Park National Los Alceres, and this is spring; apparently in winter it often reaches 20 below!
For a bit of fun, I thought I’d translate this into arabic using the new buttons.
هل وتحصى نقرات ، تذكرت أحد أمرين فقط ان يدخل حيز ذهني عندما أنا على الطريق او طحن حول الخيمه. أولا ، لقد اجرينا تزهر شجرة فوق مصالحنا خيمة على الليلة الاولى من اصل باريلوش مع بعض Bumble النحل حول الانجراف وهذا حصل لي التفكير ؛ يفعل النحل النوم ، واذا كان الامر كذلك ، أين؟ وبشان هذه المساله حيث ان تفعل كل الذباب وmidgies تذهب أيضا؟
ثانيا ، لماذا هو انه عندما نحن على الطريق وركوب الدراجات ، هل يمكننا ان نذهب الى ان لساعات دون اي حركة المرور وعندما نفعل ذلك الحين ، شأنهم في ذلك شأن اثنين من الحافلات على طول تأتي في عكس الاتجاهات وانهم في الصليب بالضبط النقطه التي وصلنا هي ؛ يوجد فيها اقل من الفضاء chuffing مزعج.
Who’d have thought that ‘bumble’, ‘midgies’ and ‘chuffing’ wouldn’t have an Arabic translation?
Hi Am pleased to note that you are in good shape after an unplanned well earned rest.I am enjoying the feel of the new motor though Trish has been driving it more thanI.Re Simon’s question. Part of my selection course for SAS was an exercise in the Mandurah Swamps where I also wondered why around 1753hrs there was this silence of 5 mins or so as the flies stood down as they handed us over to the squadrons of flies!!
After 3 days and nights of torture, I very nearly tossed it in. Jono has sold the subaru at his price and is getting a black Holden captivator seats 6 runs on deisel and favoured as the vehicle that all SF people must have.Has mounts for a 50 cal. machine gun so off to Maroubra we go !!DAD
Hi Guys,
Have you worked out where you will be for Christmas? and have you let Santa know? You might have to leave the tent door open a bit so he can slip in the pressies without waking you up.
Be good and take care
Love Stace.
The possibility of taking leave after boot camp varies. Most likely he will have to report to Mississippi, prior to taking the leave. They will be able to let him know if there is time before his classes start. After A school he will go to a unit if he is active. If he is reserve he will return home and go into a drill status.
I was in a river laying on a lot of grass and called someone to come and see all the turtles in the water just leaving as i was calling someone to come and see what was happening.
Since Lake Tanganyika has hundreds of different cichlid species, ranging in size from one of the world’s smallest cichlids (Neolamprologus multifasciatus, under 2 inches maximum size) to the perhaps the world’s largest cichlid (Boulengerochromis microlepis, about 30 inches adult size), it all depends on which species you want to keep.
Who is the artist of the famous poster of a B-1 Bomber tearing over a lake leaving roostertails and where get?
It sucked up water exploded and came loose because it was too wet on the sticky side and was hanging out, and i was wearing the lil bathing suit shorts like you have, it was more than embarassing. the o.b. tampons will work best and they are smaller! take a panty liner to wear after your done tubeing and swimming and can take the tampon out. and just enjoy the day.
I have seen times when 80 is shut down for hours on end just so the CHP can clear all of the wrecks. People just think they can still drive like it is clear, just because they have an SUV.
If you are determined to get there this weekend just be prepared to take your time, fill up you tank in Sacramento, bring some food, water and blankets, and a pee can. Pay attention to the road conditions there are signs along both 50 and 80 that will let you know what is going on.
The possibility of taking leave after boot camp varies. Most likely he will have to report to Mississippi, prior to taking the leave. They will be able to let him know if there is time before his classes start.
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I’ve pass in Lee Vining, and saw Mono Lake too, I will always remember this quite special place. The Tufas formed by a chemical reaction is fascinating. We were back from Las vegas. It is a very special place just at the end of a trip trough mountains of the Yosemite National Park…
thanks the information about Chile’s southern highway….
all the picture in this post says about nature….how beautiful nature in this world…..
Without Traffic it is a 90 minute drive. You are going to be traveling during the middle/end of the rush hour. So as long as there is no accidents you should be able to get there in about 2-2.5 hours. Thanks….
I’ll miss you a lot and although i’m sad to see you go, there are other kids in the world that need to be inspired as much as you’ve inspired us here at OL. don’t forget to come back and visit!!
. Sure have taken some lovely photos but ur right when u say they never do it justice.
Thank you admin.
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thanks
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I had got a dream to make my own firm, nevertheless I did not have enough of cash to do that. Thank goodness my close fellow said to use the loan. Therefore I used the credit loan and made real my desire.
I’d fish where the mouth of the river empties into the lake. Ambush predators like bass sit and wait for fresh prey to enter the lake.
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I took 1 st business loans when I was 32 and it supported my relatives a lot. But, I need the auto loan once again.
Lakes beauty is very nice.It is a very special place just at the end of a trip trough mountains of the Yosemite National Park…
I was in a river laying on a lot of grass and called someone to come and see all the turtles in the water just leaving as i was calling someone to come and see what was happening