March 16

(Ryan)

Sun beaming through the windows woke me up just after the sun made it over the Andes. We were driving through rolling hills with low shrub grass and I could see a lake as we came over a hill. The road was a winding mountain road that made me miss my motorcycle. Just by the change of light you could tell that we were in cold country. It was so crisp and clear. About an hour later we could see Bariloche in the distance between the mountains and the lake. As we neared the town we began to see it's Swiss influence. Beautiful log cabins and restaurants advertising Fondue. 

The cold and early morning arrival required a cup of coffee before we made a plan. After our $3 cups of joe we noticed a tourist booth and got a few recommendations on hostels and bus routs. The first youth hostel that we checked into was more of a family house that the owners rented out rooms. There wasn't any other travelers there and no one to tell us about town.  We were starved and had stopped at the grocery store and made some tuna sandwiches. Then we both went out for a look around. We walked past another hostel and went in to check it out. The guy running the hostel was from New York and supplied us with enough options of thing to do to last three months. There were so many hikes in the local mountains and they all sounded good. It was too late to start any that day but Dan was fired up on one in the morning. We told the guy that we would be back then. From there we walked around down town. It was beautiful! Everything was so well kept and clean. We be-bopped around until we found a place that had a slot-car track and the race was on! Dan kicked my ass both races and all I could do was hang my head and take the beating. We sat after the race and chatted about going to the slot-car track as kids. The owner of the track came over and began to tell us about slot-cars and Dan asked if he had any with faster motors than others. Of course the very car that Dan had won both races with was the one with the fast motor. I didn't feel so bad. 

We watched over the lake as the sun was going over the mountains and continued on our walk around town. Fondue restaurants were all over and we decided to go in for a try. Boy was that stinky cheese! but good though. Could have used some Tabasco. 

It was too early to go back to the quiet hostel so we went to a movie then called it a night. 

March 17, St. Patrick's Day

First thing in the morning we checked into the other youth hostel and got a little more information about a hike. While we were deciding a girl from Holland asked where we were going and if she could come along. By now it was near noon and a long hike was out of the question so we all went on a relatively short hike out near the big five star hotel a little out of town. We first had to take a bus about 20 miles out of town before looping around to the hotel. It was much less a hike than a five mile walk but it was nice. When we made it to the hotel we had a beer at the ritzy bar in honor of dear old St. Pat then caught a bus back to town. As usual when Dan meets someone new he had to offer to cook dinner so we passed by the grocery store before going back to the hostel. Nothing makes me happier than when Dan makes a new friend and I get to eat another great meal. We have had a few really good meals at restaurants but most of the time the best food is made by Dan. I was so hungry I ate too much bread while dinner was cooking but that didn't slow me down much when it was done. But by the time dinner was over I was Stuffed! I know Dan wanted to go out for a little St. Patty's Day celebration but I couldn't move and there was a TV in the hostel so we watched movies the rest of the night.

March 18

Our big hike day was off to a late start because we were both a little slow getting out of bed. The hostel we were staying in was so homey. The bed was small but comfortable and worm and I knew it would be cold outside. Dan took time to make a big breakfast as well that put us out of time for most of the hikes. Never-the-less we picked the shortest of the all day hikes and went to catch the bus. Too late. We missed the bus and there wouldn't be another for over an hour. It didn't give us enough time for a hike so I resolved to walk around town and go to a coffee shop. I think Dan was very disappointed because he wanted to stay there and catch the next bus going anywhere. When he eventually returned he looked pretty worn out. He didn't make the hike but had to walk about 12km home from were the bus dropped him off. He rested himself for a while then we both went into town. It was Saturday night and the streets were full. Low on energy we went to see another movie before hitting the sack.

March 19

We could stay another day in Bariloche and do a hike but we both have antsy feet and choose to get out of town. We are recommended to go to El Calafate, south of Bariloche, but find out at the bus station that there is no direct bus. To get there we first have to make it to Rio Gallegos which is a two day trip with a 18 hour lay over in the middle at Comodoro Rivadavia.