Desert scenes

Anza-Borrego State Park, California

The Ocotillo are blooming in Borrego Springs and many travelers are here to wander and wonder within the beauty.  Other flowering varieties like Prickly Pear and Barrel cactus,  a multitude wild flowers and perfect weather have come together to create a very enjoyable desert experience.  This part of southern California suffered through a ten year drought cycle but ample rainfall during the winter awakened the dormant and we are reaping the rewards.  Our friend and guide, Sandy, took us on a jeep tour of the valley yesterday and we saw desert scenes that varied from the most barren badlands to a stream that flows throughout the year and is lined by willows and desert flora.

Geographically speaking Borrego lies about ninety miles east of San Diego and south of Palm Springs within the western fringe of the Sonoran Desert.   It is still a sleepy little community thanks greatly to difficult access for the hordes that live along the coast.   Much of the surrounding desert has been protected either by State Park designation or by a Trust so it is a progressive area in the environmental sense.  

Let me say thanks to our old friends who live here and have welcomed us once again to their homes within this desert oasis.  Thanks Woo for allowing us to set up camp in your yard, our personal campsite.   Thanks Dave and Genie who have fed us and entertained us since our arrival, wow, friends have made this trip so memorable.  My history with the Borrego group goes back to the foggy days of yesteryear, better known as the 70's.   I won't go into that. 

From here we will make our way to the coast just north of San Diego and then head towards JH for some summer fun.  We are looking forward to seeing all of you but not until the snow melts.   

The palate of El Bolson

Patagonia to Patagonia

Hello again, sorry for the unintended delay in the blog-date.

Pictures of our last week in Argentina are attached but they can't begin to do justice to the beauty of the country nor its people.  The southern most point of our journey found us somewhat deeper into the region of Patagonia and the village of El Bolson, a bastion of the countercultural movement of the 1960's.  The farmers and artisans living there fought against the development of four star hotels and resorts and remain true to their ideals.  Situated along the most frequented north/south route in southern Argentina, it sees a high volume of tourists who are content with fewer amenities and lots of Mother Nature.  Five pesos earned us access to one of the most pristine valleys we have seen in our many miles.  A river of impossible clarity flowed from this eco wonder and through the day of hiking we only encountered a small number of fellow hikers.

As for the lack of blogomation I can only say that Argentinean post partum depression had an affect on both of us that was profound.  After a few days the jet lag and space-time contiuum disorientation subsided and now I can say, "yes we are back in the States and happy about that."

Currently we find ourselves deep within the Sonoran desert of southern Arizona observing the awakening flora and fauna.  Ocotillo, Saguaro and Barrel cacti are beginning their show of colors.  We have a lot to look forward to over the next few months so we, again, thank "The Force" for putting us in a position to enjoy the sights and senses around us.

Much thanks to Joe and Charlene for a great time during our re-entry in Scottsdale.  It was above and beyond.

Today, as I write this entry, the sun is rising over Patagonia, Arizona where our motor-home is parked in the yard of our dear friends Carl & Judy.  Their hospitality is spoiling us.  

Lago Laca & Mont Tronador

The last two weeks

At the time of this entry we are in San Martin de Los Andes, a beautiful mountain village situated at the east end of Lago Lacar.  Along the lake shore sailboats bob quietly on their moorings and people play in the crystal clear waters wrapped by sandy beaches while only a short distance above the lake a ski area of some prominence waits for winter.   The town is filled with fabulous eateries, shopping, hotels and of course tourists. It has been compared to JH by the Moon Handbooks travel guide.  I find it more like Ketchum, Idaho in the early 70's but regardless it is a sweet place that hasn't been overrun with money and Intercontinental Hotels.  A great deal of European influence is obvious in the architecture.

We both find it hard to believe that our time in Argentina is coming to a close.  Each day has been filled with the beauty of the country and memorable encounters with its people.  The longer we stay the less foreign we find this faraway place.  The language barrier is no barrier at all because when we reach out to these people they respond with a kindness and an interest that transcends  languages.  Toni's Spanish is progressing daily and she always finds the words that make the connections complete. 

We have also seen a number of JH folks along the way which shouldn't be a surprise but considering the vastness of the country it does boggle the mind a bit.   Thanks Wes, our dinner with you in Mendoza was a perfect welcoming and introduction to the culture of Argentina.  Thanks to Al and Susan for the chance to get better acquainted and share some fabulous Argentine food.  Then of course we had the very random encounter with Morgan Fredrick and his mom Peggy in San Martin de Los Andes, daughter Allison is also along for the trip.   We will meet them tonight for dinner.

During our travels we have taken a rather free form poll  regarding American politics. Those we have spoken with have been of all walks, not only from Argentina but many countries scattered around the globe.  Our findings thus far indicate that Obama's election has electrified the masses and changed, in a positive way, much of the perception the world held of the U. S. during the "reign of error."  I borrowed that from Robin Williams. People everywhere pay close attention as our leaders set policies because those policies impact the lives of nearly all the world.  

We watched the inauguration start to finish.  We heard and saw a completely different message from past leaders. We, like many people of our planet are hopeful.   

I apologize in advance for the lack of photos for this entry.  There is plenty of subject matter but I have been a little less involved in the blog and more involved in the moment. 

The pictures of Mont Tronador can't begin to capture the drama of the area.  The wind howls as it blows up the mountain while the waterfalls crash against the cliff faces on their descent.   Many of the waterfalls only find their way down as rain having been scattered by the force of the wind.  Everywhere one looks more cascades appear,  fed by the constant melt of immense glaciers lying thousands of feet above.  Tronador means thunder and it is befitting of one of mother natures true wonders.  I think it is the most beautiful place I have ever been. 

WOW

This morning we hiked to the top of a mountain that hovers above our casita to see what we could see. Expecting to find that the peak of our ambition had an exotic name fitting of the terrain we were somewhat deflated when a young Brit fellow along the trail told us we were headed for Cerro El Tourista.  Oh well, we'll take it anyway. The hike itself took serious concentration and effort as it rose, quite vertically,  from 2,800' to the top of a very precipitous mountain where we found ourselves at 6,750'.  Surprising that at these elevations the glaciers and alpine terrain exist, but as you see that is very much the case.

Perhaps 1,500' of the vertical rise is up through chimney formations and over cliff faces made up of rose quartz and basalt which at times had us questioning our age, mental faculties and purpose.  

Anyway once at the summit we realized we were looking across the border to Chile and some of the wildest mountain terrain on earth.  Most of the peaks in the distance are of volcanic origin and several are in the active region that has been in the news over the past year.  I will let the pictures do the rest and say adios mis amigos.