12/5-So Warm, I Went Swimming…Sort Of…

It was foggy this morning, and the rainfly was soaked, but before too long (like, by 8:45), the fog was burning off, and the sun came over the mountains. The tents were mostly dry when we packed them up. For the first time, we all started out minus leg warmers and jackets!

Loaded up, and ready for another day’s ride in Patagonia!

Before too long, we started a rather longer climb, but nothing like yesterday. 

It was a little chilly in the shade, but notice the awesome blue sky!

The legs were feeling yesterday’s climb, but mostly because they weren’t warmed up yet. There was a very nice descent after the climb, down to a river. 

Three bikes on a bridge (oh, and Alex and Markus too).

Seemingly, in the middle of nowhere, we came upon a eco camping place that had a coffee shop with brownies, cinnamon rolls, and cake. I had a brownie and a Coke. It was a good thing too, because there was a pretty steep climb. But, before that, we did a little 10 minute walk to the river. 

Good white water kayak spot!

Notice the fence. 

This was an old suspension bridge. Would have been quite the adventure! 

While we were having our brownies, etc, Alex looked on the map to see what was available for camping. There was a Ciclista in a small village (can’t remember the name of the village). It was just 6kms away…and one steep climb. It was steep enough to have a couple of switchbacks. The view from the top was pretty nice. 

Down below was where we had our break. 

The downhill on the other side gave us a view of another valley. 

Markus thought this was the valley where the dinosaurs were trying to get to in the movie (with Littlefoot). Could be!

After about 3kms, we came to the Ciclista place. Turns out they don’t have camping, only one medium sized room with mattresses. We were wanting to camp. The woman told us about a free campsite about 8kms (and a couple more climbs) to Lago Las Torres. I found it on my Garmin, and off we went. 

We arrived pretty early (only 35kms today, which was nice after yesterday). 

Lago Las Torres

I actually changed into my swimsuit, and went in the lake…ever so briefly. That water was COLD! But it was nice to get rinsed off after two days with no shower. Alex and Markus braved the cold too. If I could put a video here, you would hear, from Alex, the same sounds we all made (very high pitched).

So cold!

Our campsite is quite nice. 

Oh, and I did a little photo shoot of the spoon Markus carved for me. 

Palo Santo (means sacred wood, used before there was incense in the church in South America), and my spoon. 

“Spoon and Lago”

This is the best free site we’ve had so far (okay, there’s only been three). Now we are enjoying watching a bird take a dirt bath. Our entertainment needs are simple here in Patagonia…