Mendoza, Central Argentina. 4/6/2010

Odometer: 6514.0 miles

Valle Alemana, Central Argentina, 3/6/2010 Odometer: 6268.4 miles

Cutting back over the Andes was quite the ride. As I approached the pass between Los Andes, Chile and Mendoza, Argentina the temperatures really began to drop. I had to put the full combat gear back on. At one point as the roar began to climb I looked up in to the snow and ice fields ahead, thought I something move way up there. I thought no way does the road go there. That is not a pass, that is just a climb to the top. As I rounded the last switch-back (#ed 30 by the road signs) I knew I was wrong. Wow, all you could see was snow and ice. The only 2 odors in the air, exhaust from big trucks and their burnt brakes. At one point, inside a two mile tunnel without an exhaust system and bumper to bumper trucks crowding both lanes I thought I might have asthma. What a headache. But, wow, how cool was that road.

The decent into Mendoza was nice and warm. The photo is taken in Argentina looking back up the pass. So far I have only seen a few vineyards, but they have to be somewhere. This is the wine capital of Argentina. I‘ll let you know when I find some.

Uncle Walter

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRISTIN!!