It's 0230 and we are startled from our slumber by a primordial noise. Something is sounding like it is quite pleasured. Then, the are a few rocking noises. Our room is a cluster of 4 rooms, and I just chalk it up to a 'frisky' set of human occupants next door. Bruce however is very concerned that the noises are clearly from something very, very big outside. He peers out the window, and nothing is in sight.
At breakfast, we find our offenders! A herd of free ranging cattle have wondered into camp, and the yearling bulls are rubbing their heads on damn near everything.
At breakfast, we find our offenders! A herd of free ranging cattle have wondered into camp, and the yearling bulls are rubbing their heads on damn near everything.
It has rained most of the night, and the mountains surrounding Hotel Del Paine are now covered in a fresh dusting of snow.
Since the park hosts a glacier, it is overrun by tour buses. Sadly, this lovely section of dirt road is also now nearly 50% paved.
Our luck in fuel stops has changed today. Not only do we find no closed stations, we also find a brand spanking new one that just opened! I am not sure what my obsession is with lone rock formations, but I do have a predilection for them.
Here's another one. Everyone knows about Ayers Rock in Australia. Doesn't seem that Australia should be 5800 miles away, does it?
 Better Traveled Rock in Chile |  Ayers Rocks Australia |
We were suppose to catch a ferry into the "Land of Fire" (e.g. tierra del fuego).
Just kidding. That was a just a photo op that was marked on the Montana. The real ferry cost 5,000 Chilean pesos and is very modern!
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Bruce has decided to wear his rain jacket today, as the morning air has a bit of a nip. I think that appeases the rain gods and all we get a the beautiful cloud formations, and a few errant sprinkles (as opposed to the deluge from yesterday).
We find the the suggested town for the lunch stop, but not the actual restaurant. The place we end up eating at doesn't have a bath. Such a damn pity. But the gods must be loving me when not even a few clicks down the road they deliver me the cleanest port-to-potty I have ever seen and right next the Ruta! Do you like the ropes tying it down?
So for those keeping score, we had the luck of the Irish today. We scored an extra brand new gas stop, we found that gem of a potty, and now the money shot. Apparently it's time to get your kilt on.
There are few road signs compared to the states. But when you do see a warning sign, you had best heed it! Today, we see a flagman warning of animals on the road ahead. Mind you this is a road with a 100KMs speed limit and ferry truck traffic. We must have (kid you not) 15,000 head of sheep. There might be a joke about Why do Irishmen wear a kilt...so the sheep don't hear them coming. Sheep don't hear much including an African Twin motorbike. We drive at least 1/2 mile passing them! Today's money shot!
There are few road signs compared to the states. But when you do see a warning sign, you had best heed it! Today, we see a flagman warning of animals on the road ahead. Mind you this is a road with a 100KMs speed limit and ferry truck traffic. We must have (kid you not) 15,000 head of sheep. There might be a joke about Why do Irishmen wear a kilt...so the sheep don't hear them coming. Sheep don't hear much including an African Twin motorbike. We drive at least 1/2 mile passing them! Today's money shot!
The gauchos
Imagine our surprise when we find this taxi on the ferry crossing with us. We are nary 6400 miles from zip code 20646 (La Plata, MD). How much did that taxi ride cost?
Our hotel tonight is in another windswept town. I think that I enjoy these little places off the beaten tourista paths. Simple pleasures of clean rooms and good eats.
Here is the Day 14 'Proof of Life' photo. Yes, we might be queuing again for 'full service' gas, this wait was a paltry 10 mins. With only 6 days remaining on this adventure, Bruce has settled into a nice battle rhythm. Nothing phases him at this point. He's kickin' back and just enjoying the ride!
