April 8,

Up and around by 0700. We readied, packed, and had our Javas with breakfast of Muesli and yogurt. We were loaded up and out by 1000. Then we had to fill up the car with gas – 30.5 liters, or 8 gallons which cost 58,600 ARS, or $42.44. Lastly and most importantly, we stopped a barber and Jeff got a haircut! This was his first one since his “scalping” in December…almost four months ago to the day.

We left Esquel and started the drive back to Bariloche, but this time driving through Los Alerces National Park. This road is called “Tourist 40.” Arriving at the entrance around 1100, we paid 20,000 ARS ($14.47) each, for the privilege to go through.😏 First we did a short drive along the western side of Lake Futalaufquen up to Pto. Limonao. Here we got out on a rocky beach overlooking the lake. Beautiful and an excellent day. We went into the info center here and read about a man Belgrano who donated land to become the “natural park” to save the alerce (Fitzroy Cypress trees) forests in 1934. The brochure we were given read that 1937 it became a National Park and in 2017 it became an UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site. We loaded up and moved on from the west to the eastern shore of the lake (we followed this out).

We arrived at Cascada Irigoyen, a waterfall. We got out and did the quick, ten minute hike up to a platform. It was built in the right place to view the waterfall. It had a greater, upper fall to a small pool. Then the water rushed down, displaced due to fallen trees and big boulders, into a myriad of other lesser falls. We then went up the rest of the hike to another platform, but it was not as great a view. We hiked back down and moved on.

Somewhere here the road changed to gravel. But we continued on taking in all the beauty of the lake and snow capped mountains. The map showed that they were 1,700 to 2,200 meters (5,600 to 7,200 feet) tall. As we came to another waterfall area – the path was closed off! What?!? And this was the case for the other, one or two falls to the exit. That was disappointing, but we continued and just took in the sweeping views. We came upon cattle just off the road, but these did not seem feral and they are in a national park? We even saw land for sell. HUMMM… Questions. Then we came to a section of freshly grated road and saw a road grater. Also came upon a group helping a person with car trouble. We never found an open picnic area either until the other end of the park Portada Norte. Finally! We got out at the open picnic spot… it was on Lake Rivadavia’s shore. Lovely! Another couple was having lunch also, but they were right on the beach in the sun. We chose a “table and chairs” of stumps. There were two scavenging Caracara birds that checked out the site as the other couple vacated their site. Anyway we made a salami & blue cheese sandwich. We also had the last of a red pepper; and I had an apple, Jeff had a plum. When we finished and loaded up, the birds came to check out our site for left morsels. How funny!

Just outside of the park we came upon horses meandering along the road! That could have been bad. Finally, we hit the paved road again…journeyed on. We arrived at Cholila and saw a sign for Butch Cassidy… it seems he bought a 15,000 acre ranch here in 1901. Interesting side. Also, believe it or not, at 1656 exactly, we saw the guy walking to Alaska!!! Wow! I had just ten minutes prior wondered out loud to Jeff about him!! We had seen him four days ago…he is making some good time.

We arrived at our place at 1746. Our host met us and let us into their gated parking area. She showed us our cabin with the ins and outs of the space. Then we unloaded and settled in. At 2100 we did a video chat with Jeff’s sister and her husband. Bed by 2230.