February 1, 2020

Puerto Varas to the Rio Futaleufu

Lake Llanquihue with Osorno Volcano and Calbuco Volcano in the distance. Osorno Volcano is 8700′ feet in elevation…big climbing and hiking center.

Flew into Puerto Varas on 2/1 and spent the day hiking around and checking out what is sort of like a Chilean version of Lake Geneva, but with 8,000+ foot high volcanoes within sight. Interestingly, Puerto Varas is at latitude -41, while Chicago is at 42, as is northern California. Met the group I will be traveling with for the next eight days. In our group are folks are from Oregon (Dan and Jay…Jay, Dan’s son, gave Dan this trip for his 60th birthday), Colorado (Tom and Cheryl), Wisconsin (Elaine), S. Carolina (Keith and Crystal), Maryland (Barb) and Toronto (Gayle). Earth River Adventures is the tour company and you can check them out here: https://www.earthriver.com/. Staying the night in Puerto Varas and then onto Patagonia tomorrow morning.

January 29-31, 2020

Santiago, Chile

Arrived on Wens. morning and have been checking out the city. Not much to mention about Santiago…population of ~5 million, ringed by large mountains, arid climate, little in the way of museums, but great street art. Pretty typical largish city in the second world. The recent civil unrest is evidenced by much graffiti calling for revolution and a new constitution. However, I have not seen anything in the way of demonstrations or active unrest. Santiago for me is a way point between the Chicago, the Futaleufu River and leaving on my motorcycle.

Below are a few pictures in Santiago, mainly of people I found interesting…including, of course the Santiago version of Elvis!

Graffiti is pervasive.
All the public buildings are artwork has been defaced.
I assume a riot-mobile.
Elvis had great leg action!!!
This guy just couldn’t believe what he saw in the plaza!

Hasta leugo!