
The day starts off on the right foot. The hotel has been dead quite last night. Eerily quite if you will. Like "The Shinning" type of quite. But the lack of distraction has done Bruce's healing body well. He is clearing the 30 hr mark since his first dose of Cipro, and has really perked up. In fact later in the day, he orders ice figuring that he is currently invincible and all. Way to tempt fate with an unknown water supply. We had a delightful $24USD stake dinner last night, and we that we welcome the next chapter in this adventure "Live the Wind" was the name of restaurant.
I peep out the window to confirm that nobody stole our view last night, and happen upon this critter. It is a bunny. But a bunny like no other. It must weigh at least 30 pounds. And so the stage is set, we ride among the critters today.
The trip is only 415 clicks due south, all paved. However, the ride book comes with a huge warning about the Gaucanos. The 'Guacs' are the largest mammal in Argentina, a close relative to the llama. There are approx 460-525K of the little critters in Argentina, and I think we have accounted for all but two of them in today's ride.
Apparently, their blood has 4x the amount of hemoglobin that a human does, so they easily live at altitude. And the fur is prized for its soft, warm feel and is found in luxury fabric. Despite the numerous herds on Ruta 40, I struggle to capture their beauty.
The first attempt was to 'sneak' up on them. Basically, kill the engine and roll the last 100 yards to get the camera out. By this time, they generally would turn and jump over the fence intended to keep them off the road. The jump was always from a standstill. Compared to a horse, I'd rate them a 0.5 on a 10 scale on form. No attempt to tuck their knees at all! Bruce did have one double around behind him, then come up from the rear flanking him. Apparently, this country needs more hunters with guns!
Apparently, their blood has 4x the amount of hemoglobin that a human does, so they easily live at altitude. And the fur is prized for its soft, warm feel and is found in luxury fabric. Despite the numerous herds on Ruta 40, I struggle to capture their beauty.
The first attempt was to 'sneak' up on them. Basically, kill the engine and roll the last 100 yards to get the camera out. By this time, they generally would turn and jump over the fence intended to keep them off the road. The jump was always from a standstill. Compared to a horse, I'd rate them a 0.5 on a 10 scale on form. No attempt to tuck their knees at all! Bruce did have one double around behind him, then come up from the rear flanking him. Apparently, this country needs more hunters with guns!
Since we have plenty-o-time today with the short ride, we decide to stop a some of the early herds and try to funnel my inner 'Ansel Adams' on them. We did get these peacefully grazing.
We do get kind of cheeky and decide to test out our wrangler-like skills and test their aptitude to be herded. In this (failed) attempt Bruce starts in the opposite lane and then quickly changes direction. Nope the Guac just stands there! But the most successfully attempt we had was when Bruce just honked them the entire time I was taking the photo. Go figure, they find that noise soothing...I guess as cars do it all day long.
I am not sure what the natural predator might be, be there were plenty of carcasses that illustrated that fences are dangerous. Apparently, get a leg hung up is a certain death out here. Ditto for the impact with a vehicle, although we see little indication of Guac damaged cars. And the Big Rigs don't have the obligatory front brush guards.
And all the while we are getting out "Guac" on, we run into these unexpected finds. The Rhea bird (a small ostrich/emu)! The world needs yet another flightless birdie. But apparently, if you sport a long neck you are in heaven here. Bruce thinks we are going to need a bigger smoker for Thanksgiving though...
And all the while we are getting out "Guac" on, we run into these unexpected finds. The Rhea bird (a small ostrich/emu)! The world needs yet another flightless birdie. But apparently, if you sport a long neck you are in heaven here. Bruce thinks we are going to need a bigger smoker for Thanksgiving though...
And then our friends the Flamingos make another guest appearance. The super-est bummer of this, after I put the camera away they take flight. I've never seen one in flight before, but I was in awe over the vivid colors of their flight feathers.
We also see a tiny fox, like probably less than a few pounds. And a small 1 pound armadillo.
We also see a tiny fox, like probably less than a few pounds. And a small 1 pound armadillo.
Bruce does think that he might be home in Wyoming today. But between watching for every damn critter, the pot holes and gazing into the wild, this otherwise straight and barren patch of asphalt is actually quite taxing. But the weather is absolutely fabulous! Mid 70s!

Fuel in Argentina is much cheaper than Chile, as most of it is drilled here. However, fuel distribution is apparently not their forte. While entertaining on some level, the fuel pumps at the mid-point have been out of fuel for a week. So, I guess you are suppose to leave a sticker and kick the pump as you drive off? We do have a full fuel bladder with 11 liters, but who wants to empty that prematurely?
And what could make the low gas situation any more 'adventurous' than seeing this sign.
We do gather some additional data today, such as a Africa Twin low fuel light goes on with 90 clicks of reserve. Then we roll into the final stop for the day, Gobernador Gregores. It's New Years eve and I have to say that this might be the worst hotel of our adventure thus far. The description in the road book of "a small windswept town" leaves little to the imagination. We should know better, as we drive by this over-the-top extravagant welcome sign.
But when in Rome, act like a Roman! Here Bruce attempts to blend in...
Tonight should be a hoot. Apparently, the entertainment consists of racing your loud, no mufflered quad around the city streets in a reenactment of Baltimore's 12 o'clock boys.
And how's this for hotel security?
And how's this for hotel security?