5-1-10 Rio Gallegos, Patagoñia, Argentina

I have pushed hard to make it to Southern Argentina. I would have gone much slower if not for the poor start. oh well. Rio Gallegos is the the last city before entering Tierra del Fuego. I will head to Ushaiua tomorrow morning. Crossing the southern part of Argentina has been a test of will. Form Bahia Blanca to Rio Gallegos it is all desert. It starts out looking like the worst of Texas: shrubs, cactus and sand to rock and wind. The shrubs start out about 3 feet tall and just get smaller till there is nothing, then they gradualy start to grow again, now here at Rio Gallegos abut 4 inches.

I had heard how stong the wind is while crossing Patagonia, but wow!! you have to feel it to believe it. The Dakotas have nothing on Patagonia. There was a steady strong, west to east wind as I headed south. This caused the bike to lean into the wind; a starboard list. A list so strong that in turns to port at highway speeds, the bike stayed in a starboard list. The wind was present and steady all 3 days. Exposed skin was simply sandblasted. It tooks it´s toll on the poderosa and me, but we made´r. And the temp continues to drop, now about 38F.

Tomorrow I will push on to Ushuia, where the road ends.

Uncle Walter

PS. some facts: if you like that kinda thing.
1. starting milage Buenos Aires 881.5
2. overnighted in the following cities:
1. arriveed Necochea waiting for the title: 1200+ miles
2. Las Grutas: 1848 miles. 4-29
3. Caleta Olivia: 2322.5 miles. terrible hotel, but friendly 4-30
4, Rio Gallegos: 2,768.5 miles. 5-1
2. my exercise gps indicates Necochea is 6340 miles from the shack.
3. the southern cross really points south.
4. still looking to kiss un lobo marino.