sorry, folks, but it’s been a series of unfortunate events. Made the 5 am flight to El Calafate. Napped that afternoon. Dinner at a funky place called Pura Vida. Evidently stews are the regional specialty and mine was packed with lamb, sweet potato, onions and a Parmesan crust:
Next day 6 hour boat ride to visit Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers – so amazing to think about the time when they were created.
One of them is still growing from snowpack (fallen snow takes 10 years to pack down and become part of the glacier) – and the icebergs that they calved:
and yours truly sat way too long in soft seats.
Returned at day’s end with full blown version of whatever Lance had. First high fever I’ve had in a long time. Rested in the Thursday morning while he drove and hiked to Petit Moreno glacier. We then drove (stuck sitting again too long, even with breaks) and my back not in good shape upon arrival. Nice dinner out in El Calafate,
then awoke at 5 am unable to get comfortable due to a new (oh boy) kind of back discomfort.
Lance went for an 8 hour hike to get a beautiful view of Laguna Torre and Cerro Torre/Fitz Roy. Some incredible photos. I took a walk along the river for some pretty nice views myself and to test my body. Great photo of town along the river:
I now had intermittent localized pain in the upper right section of my back that came about every 8 seconds and lasted for 2 or 3. No fun. Went for massage later in the day and all seemed better. Again reminded of what we don’t appreciate until we don’t have it any more. A nice dinner out and to sleep early (it doesn’t get dark here until 9:25, like summer in Montana) and was awoken at 2 am by return of pain. Thought I’d give in and go to see doc at hospital later. Anything that might help.
Lance returned about 9:15 am from his 8 mile hike, half of which he walked in the dark, so he could capture the rising sun on the peaks. He said he made it just in time, with the sun starting to dance on the horizon as he raced to set up his tripod. And the photos he shared were spectacular; one will be hanging on the wall of the bunk room this summer.
After lunch, we took a very short drive and hike to a local waterfall. We had it to ourselves for a brief moment, then the hordes arrived.
But not before Lance could test out the statement that all the water here is safe and delicious to drink!
Sorry for the bummer post, but someone might wonder why I haven’t written. I have some good pics as well, but internet is hard to get here at all and can’t get photos to upload. Will have to wait for icebergs, glaciers and craggy, razor-edged peaks. Oh, and of course, some food porn.
with love and whining,
me