St. Paddy's Day

No corn beef and cabbage today. I'm back in Chile's southwestern portion of Patagonia, and there's nary a leprechaun in sight. The past few days have been eye-openers. We're motoring through a very windy, rocky expanse, where gauchos on horseback rule the range in traditional attire, as small camel-like animals called guanacos roam freely among red foxes and pumas. Above us, adult condors swoop in circular air thermals in search of prey.

But yesterday, still in Argentina, the vista was different and as thrilling. Los Glaciares National Park is a wonderland of natural beauty, not the least of which is the Perito Moreno glacier. We spent hours facing the ascending front of this blue and white glacier, treated to the calving of icebergs as they broke off from the main body and landed with the sound of gunshot into the frigid waters below. The air was remarkably clear and brisk, and the temperature was only in the 40s.


Today we crossed back to Chile's Torres Del Paine National Park. It took a good half day to drive through only part of this mountain system, with lakes, waterfalls and wind gusts that can literally knock you over. We'll spend another half-day tomorrow hiking around the park area in which our hotel is located.


Then it's a move farther south to overnight on a local ranch, after which we board a ship for four days around the fjords and to Cape Horn. Internet service will probably not be available until we disembark back in Argentina. The blog will resume then.

Location:Torres Del Paine, Chile