April 10,

We got around by 0730, had our Javas and breakfast of a soft boiled egg each, a banana each and yogurt. Then I blogged because last night I had intended on blogging days eight and nine, and well, I erased day eight just after I completed it!!!! I nor Jeff could retrieve it. So I had two big blogs to tackle, and it took up the rest of the morning. This kind of worked out because the air quality was pretty bad. From our windows we could just make out the lake! So all these gravel roads and dry conditions = not good breathing conditions.

Morning gave way to afternoon… around 1530, we went out to eat. We had asked our host for her recommendations. Her reply was only one place and it was one we had been looking at. So it was inevitable, and we went there. We arrived at 1600 at Rincon Patagonia. We were seated and given the menu. We were given fresh bread with hummus, and a beetroot mayo. Next was our starter of Provoleta Especial Rincon Patagonico – Grilled provolone cheese with pine mushrooms, red pepper, and three sauces: a pico de gallo; a veggie-garlic mayo; and an aioli. Then our two mains: Cordero a la Cazadora (Lamb Stew) – lamb stewed with red wine, paprika, bacon, and veggies, accompanied with rustic potatoes; Pastel Patagonico (Patagonia Pie) – prepared with lamb and veal meats, onion, red pepper, egg, and olives, covered by mashed potatoes (like a Shepard’s Pie). All the food was outstandingly delicious!👍🏻👍🏻  We had a bottle of a Patagonian Malbec, called Newen, that paired well enough. We had seen a couple of questionable reviews of the restaurant, so we were very pleased it was so good. The bill came to 147,500 ARS, or $107.57. But Jeff was able to pay with a $100 bill and a local 10,000 bill, and the exchange rate they used was in our favor and we were supposed to get change! But he let them keep it for a tip! We arrived back at our place and settled in for the evening, even watched a movie. It was “a simply living somewhere else,” kind of day!

     April 11,

Neither one of us slept well last night. I finally got up for good around 0700, but Jeff had been up since “two-something” he said. Anyway we got around and had our Javas and breakfast of last of the Muesli and yogurt. I don’t know if I have mentioned – the milk and larger yogurt amounts – come in plastic bags in Argentina… Not plastic bottles or cartons, but plastic bags. This is not very convenient once the bag has been opened. But the last two places have had special-made, hard plastic holders that the bag sits in to stay upright without spilling. Huh…if they just used containers or cartons like the rest of the world… Enough on that! The air quality was still poor today, so we did not need to get around early.

It was finally about 1030, when we did get out, because it was better air quality by then. The wind was blowing quite a bit, and there were pretty dark clouds. Some storm may be coming in. We just wanted to drive around the city, so we took off. Jeff had found a loop that went west of town. The road followed along the lake of Nahuel Huapi, west on its southern shoreline (whereas we had gone north and some west before). We left, out of town and the road changed to Hwy 77, basically doing a big loop somewhat around Perito Moreno lake. The leaves were starting to fall out of the trees due to the wind, but the colors were still vibrant, so it was a pretty, little drive – quite a forested area. We got out at one viewpoint and took in a couple of big mountains right on the other side of the lake. Beautiful! We noticed the wind was making it quite crisp/cool, even a bit biting!

We saw the big hotel that is supposed to have a killer restaurant and tea service (killer because the prices may do one in🤭 ). It does have a fantastic view.

Anyway, we were finishing the loop, and right on the shoulder of the road sat a fox! He even continued to sit as we stopped and fumbled for a phone to take a picture. Wowza!! That was special. It was not a puma, but a fox will do!

At 1230, we arrived back at our place. We cleaned out the car, and then left again, because we have to return it today. So we arrived at Hertz by 1245, they checked it out and gave us a thumbs up. We had covered 1336 miles in Argentina Patagonia with our two car rentals. Jeff went and made some photo copies while I waited for the thumbs up. Then we walked back taking in some of the picturesque Bavarian-type buildings, that this town is known for. We got back to our place by 1430 and had egg, blue cheese, and salami sandwiches. We settled in for the rest of the day, as the day seems more dreary. Tomorrow we leave here. 🙁