Leap Year…1 extra day

 

February 29 2012

(Leap Day) Ensenada 90 miles

This morning we woke up and were invited to a wonderful breakfast with Julie Mizener from Stanley Idaho.  Who would have taught we would meet a fellow Stanleite down here in Patagonia Chile.  Julie is down here doing some fly fishing for a couple of weeks.  She also gave us some very valuable information on where we wanted to go.  The first place we were headed is under serious protesting.  The roads are closed, there is no fuel, and no gas.  Guess we are on to our second choice.  Well the second one fell through also due to an erupting volcano.  Its all under smoke and ash now.  Both of these towns you have to take a ferry to from Puerto Montt.  Puerto Montt is at the bottom of Chile where it starts to break up into thousands of islands.  The only other choice we have now is to cross the boarder back over to Argentina.  We’ve gone as far south in Chile as possible at this point in time.  Thanks Julie for the valuable information.

     After breakfast it was time to head 30 miles back to Puerto Varas to look for a mechanic to fix Camille’s stripped out oil drain screw hole.  The first little shop we found took care of us right on the spot.  It did take 15 minutes to explain to him what was actually wrong with the bike.  After I was able to turn the screw with my fingers he suddenly got it.  He then threaded in some new threads, sent his son to the store for a new bolt, cut it down to size and now its as good as new. 10 dollars is what he asked for.  We felt like he just saved our lives so we gave him 15.  When people find out that you have ridden your motorcycle from the states to here they seem to be a lot nicer to you.  I really don’t think I can explain it.  They give you this look like your crazy and are more willing to help you out.  After this was all finished I went and tried my luck at some fishing.  Didn't catch anything but it was beautiful and not raining

1 March 2012 

Agua Caliente, Argentina. Chile 88 miles

Took off today with images of Hot Springs dancing in our head…After Rain and beautiful riding through lush, wet forests  we found that the hot springs and all accommodations surrounding were full. we rode back on the highway, through the rain, for a while and found a Cabana with a wood stove! Oh how those wood stoves know how to dry us out!

Fishing Hole.

 

Mechanic working on the shooting star.

Volcano Osorno finallly showed her face.