Route 40

Here we were in El Calafate trying ot figure out where to go next, when we decided to do a safari up to Bariloche. We were going to be in a van for 4 days, going up route 40, a mostly unpaved road, and stopping to see wildlife, scenery and the wilds of Patagonia. We also learned firsthand what the famous Patagonian winds are like (really strong and unceasing!) and also what the local flora and fauna are, including armadillos! This was actually about to sniff my foot! It was a baby and when our car stopped the mom ran away leaving the baby for us to look at and pet (their shells are not as hard when they are babies, and the fur is rather soft) and eventually leave onthe side of the road in hopse that the mom would come back for it. Roberto, our guide said she would, so we hope he's right! The first night we stayed at an estancia, or ranch, where the people raised sheep or and had 17 horses. This is the shed where they kept their equipment. The other room where they sheered an skinned the sheep was pretty stinky. The first night we stayedi n a a dorm and learned who the snorers were (one was me!)
Here I am in the nationl park where we stopped the second day. Unfortunately it was raining that day, so our hike was a wet one, but it was still beautiful and we got to see a lot of aminals, birds and get blown by the wind!
Because of the rain we got to see this rainbow which was out for a long time. We followed it all through the park!
This lake runs through Perito National Park and is actually two colors. The bright blue is from the glacier and the dark is rainwater that runs to the sea, and is shallow. Cool.
Some of the rocks in the surrounding area that we saw while driving around. The earth itself was so cool and full of color!
Entrance to the park.
The mountain view from the estancia where we stayed the first night.
Some of the incredible color we saw as we drove through Patagonia.