Welp, i woke up this morning with the cold water. With the cold water and with the cold. Slept all night in the cedar grove. I was born to ramble, born to rove. Some men are searchin' for the holy grail. But there aint nothin' sweeter than folowin' yer own trail.Well, i woke up this morning with the cold water. With the cold water and with the cold.
- Tom Waits
As i sit here warm and dry, i am scanning through pictures from a recent overnighter i took, trying to decide which to use in my collage, and contemplating the road ahead. An hour long bus ride from Pucon took me through the mountainous countryside and dropped me off at the Parque Nacional Huerquehue. 
What a beautiful day to visit such a beautiful piece of country! From there i hiked about 12km and saw numerous waterfalls, three alpine lakes, and a variety of wildflowers. After my hike i set up camp, prepared a simple dinner, and read next to the lake until the rain started. Then i read in the tent, with the rain pouring down, by headlamp.
And boy did it rain. Rained all night. Rained all morning. A cold rain at that. It rained so much that it cut short my plans for hiking another mountain before i caught the bus back to Pucon the following day. Additionally, i had hoped to be able to hike to a hot spring, but there was still too much snow for the trek to be possible. So it goes. At least i got a lot of thinking and reading done.
Things i thought about include my family, my future back in the good ol' US of A, my farewell to Pucon, my quickly approaching journey by sea, and my job in Punta Arenas. Oooh so much thinking done. Lovely really. I miss my family. I am anxious about my future. I am ready to leave Pucon for new adventures, but hope to return in the future. I am excited for my journey by sea and expect to test the limits of my cameras memory card. And finally, i am very much looking forward to starting work. Living life aimlessly and without obligations can be surprisingly tiring. How i look forward to settling into a routine...
Language Lesson of the Day: My sleeping bag is wet... Say it with me now! Mi saco de dormir es mojado...
We really miss you, too, Uncle Ben... so good to see your handsome mug tonight! Thanks so much for taking the time to Skype; Charlotte was definitely looking at your face on the computer.
ReplyDeleteQuick question - how do you take photos of yourself? On your volcano hike, I assume someone else took it... but what about these on your solo hike? Are you using timer or asking another hiker?
xo
Such beautiful country, Ben. Overnight alone?
ReplyDeleteYou are an adventurous soul - but we all knew that already, didn't we? We are so happy for you and proud of you. Enjoy your next adventurous leg! Love you, Mom
Am so glad that you are keeping the blog up, Ben. I love reading about (and seeing!) your adventures. Enjoy your travel by sea and keep safe. Love, Aunt Lucy
ReplyDeleteMuchas gracias amigos!
ReplyDeleteHermana, i use the timer feature on my camera or just hold it out in front of me. I am very happy with the camera and think its functions beautifully. Such a good investment. Gracias mis padres!
hey ben!
ReplyDeletei'm really enjoying your blog and reading up on your fun adventures. the photos you are taking are so beautiful! where is your sea adventure taking you? i will be reading about it. :) take care!
kylene :)
It's official, you have more adventure in your big toe than I have had in my entire 30 years. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteCousin Hill