November 16, 1999
Day 25 Villa La Angostura: Gorgeous scenery
Hosteria Las Piednitas
When we wake up and peek out of our tent a dense fog is covering the lake. Good thing we took our pictures yesterday! It's looking good though, behind us in the west we see blue sky.
We pack up our damp stuff and head out. Patrick fives a big chunk of salami to Niki, the little sheepdog of the caretaker. He can't believe his luck! quickly picks it up and takes off. He doesn't reappear for another 15 minutes.
Yesterday's rain seems to have somewhat compacted the sandy road. It is firm and rides nicely. In retrospect, stopping yesterday was a good call. Now with the rain clouds gone we get awesome views of the mountains and blue lakes.
The ride today is gorgeous.
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We stop frequently to shoot pictures of each other riding down the road. The forest looks like tropical rainforest with huge trees, farms and bamboo. The rivers we cross are as clear as glass. We pass a gaucho on his horse.
As beautiful as it is, it is also hard work. Every once in a while, the road ascends impossibly steep grades. We have to get off and push, sometimes even help each other by pushing one bike up at a time.
But it is worth it!
By the time we reach the sealed road, 15km west of Villa La Angostura. Patrick has used more than one roll of slide film. We take our final break and ride into town.
At the tourist office Patrick gets information on available camping. Just as we set off, we spot another cyclist. A Danish girl, Vielele, who lives in San Francisco. Together we ride to the campground, but reject it because there is no hot water, and it's a bit too far from town to walk back for groceries.
We ride back and end up getting a room for three in a hosteria, not cheap but ok. Our bikes can be stored in the garage. Later we walk to town for pizza and beer. Vielele is traveling with another American woman that they have temporarily split up so her friend could go to Iguazu Falls.
Today's ride: 65 km (40 miles)
Total: 1,132 km (703 miles)
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