To Copahue via Chos Mala
Thursday, 04 March 2010 00:00
The hotel in Malargue provided wifi for getting news on Chile…and ample covered parking which was a perfect spot for pounding out the saddle bag and resetting the ABS unit to enable the system again. In the morning, we headed out on Ruta 40 to Chos Malal.
The road had some rough spots;
Wendy really loved the ashpalt
more moving road hazards
and the bike had a flat.
We enjoyed some interesting scenery,
plenty of desert landscape, much like US Southwest scenery,
and took a break for a picnic at an abandoned house.
Late afternoon we stopped on the road to chat with an Irishman heading north.
What a treat to reach Posada La Farfalla where we were greeted by chickens and geese a dog and a cat. Salta offered us dinner, so we relaxed and enjoyed the comfortable house, nice music and kind prorietors. We received tips on routes and stops for our ride and felt we were leaving friends when we said “good-bye” the next morning.
Heading south (Wendy voted against the scenic, gravel shortcut) we climbed through gaucho country to Vulcan Copahue.
Our two night stay at the thermal baths was highlighted by a mud bath and a hike through the alpine lake area.
Wendy likes hikes and hot springs
We’ve noticed Argentinian breakfasts are difficult to differentiate from Argentinian desserts!
First sighting of the unique Monkey Puzzle trees with the unusual thick, 'reptilian' branches. The seeds are edible, similar to large pine nuts, and are extensively harvested in Chile.
