5-3-2010 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Odometer: 3134.5 miles

I pulled into Ushuaia a little after dark last night. The ride from Rio Gallegos is not too far, but you have to cross the Argentina-Chile boarder twice and take a ferry ride. The 100 miles through Chile is almost all dirt and is failry rough. The wind persisted all day except for the last 60 miles or so. As you enter the mountains before getting to Ushuaia the trees begin to return and the wind abates. The scenery becomes fantastic. The temperature kept dropping and got below freezing. There was snow at the top of the pass and down the back side into Ushuaia. All went well.

Ushuaia is a big town nestled between the mountains and the ocean. To celebrate Pepillon's birthday I got up early and went searching for penguins. I was hoping to kiss one for her, but there are none to be found. They are all at sea and will stay out there for 6 to 9 months. They only come ashore to lay their eggs and raise the little ones a wee bit before heading back out.

With that I went to El Parque National Tierro del Fuego. It is a wonderful park. The mountains look alot like the Rockies, but because of their exteme southern locatioin the tree line is much lower. The peaks are snow covered. The sun came out when it could. I made to the end of the road. The Pan-American highway winds no further. The little gps I have says I am only 7253 miles away(S 54'51.31.7" W 068'34.00"). All vectors from here will have a northward inclination. That means only one thing. Ma start making the goody rolls, I am on way home! I should be home sometime between late August and your birhtday. I think the road in the Andes between here and home might be a little bendy. Actual milage may vary.

Uncle Walter