LazCrzDaz

Yes, I am finally back on the road after an almost 2 week break waiting for my voltage regulator to arrive.

My new friend Martin was kind enough to house, feed and befriend me for all that time. He is a real old-time gentleman and character. We had a most enjoyable time.

Ron was kind enough to get and ship the regulator to me. Thank you Ron.

The regulator arrived at 1130 am and at 130 pm I was on the road heading for Argentina. I rode straight through to Bariloche, a very pretty large town setting on a very large lake.

I spent the night in a youth hostel on the lake and left the next morning riding through beautiful lake and river country. I had planned on riding only to Esquel Argentina but continued on to Futaleufu Chile, Futaleufu is in Patagonia and also is a center for whitewater rafting and kayaking. I stayed in a kayaking hostel then left at 10 am for the 2 hour ride on a gravel road to join the Carretera Austral.

I found the road to me well maintained and very pretty to ride. The road is a times single lane track and at other times wide and smooth. Fuel and services are sparse so proper planning is necessary.

I will continue down this road until the end then cross back into Argentina via a lake ferry.

Puerto Cisnes is a sea water fishing port.

There are no natural salmon here in Chile but they farm a great many.

I shall sample some this evening.

More to come.

As you can see Pucon is very pretty. The lake is large and blue reminding me of lake Tahoe.

Martin’s house is large and beautiful with magnificent views of the lake and volcano. The lake is 16 miles long and 600 feet deep. Volcano Villarica vents smoke constantly.

The property of Jim and Isabel has an even closer and better view of the volcano. Martin is the developer and builder here in Altos Los Riscos.

I shall spend a week here waiting for Ron to send me down the voltage regulator, things could be worse.

The weather has turned cooler and fall is in the air.

Fall was in the air yesterday but today very warm at 85 degrees.

Viña del Mar, located next door from Valparaiso is the Beverly Hills of Chile and the most popular beach resort. It is quite large and lively, this being the busy summer season. The city is host to many grand old homes and maple tree lined streets. Restaurants and shopping abound and the main avenue leads to the beach. The weather is quite pleasant at around 75 degrees. Road and foot traffic, is as you might expect, heavy. There is a lively and festive atmosphere everywhere.

One thing I have discovered here is that I enjoy being anonymous, as here I do not stand out as being a foreigner. There are many tall, grey haired Chilean’s who look very similar to me.

I don’t know if it the season or what, but I have never seen more pregnant women. Go figure.

I now have a new battery for my motorcycle and tomorrow will head south towards Pucon to meet me friends. I have time to burn so will spend some time in the Chilean wine region and a few national parks.