(November 14 – written by Dave) Today we started the Carretera Austral, but we almost didn’t.  The forecast was pretty ordinary, rain most of the day and both of us could have used another rest day to kill off our pesky colds.  But we rode anyway...  The trouble with the forecast was that wet is … Continue reading Wet start – Puerto Montt to Contao (56k/24,459k, 1,660ft)

(November 13 – written by Dave) It’s raining here in Puerto Montt today – perhaps a good day not to be riding.  I think we are going to see some wet on the Carretera Austral, it’s just part of the territory.  So, we’ll have to get over riding and camping in the rain.  Oh well. … Continue reading Puerto Montt update

(November 12 – written by Dave) We finished Ruta 5 today – woohoo.  We’ve been on and off Ruta 5 for close to 1,000km.  It’s a fast way to travel, if not overly scenic.  The shoulder remained wide every day we rode it.  Today was no different.  The shoulder is not always clean and there … Continue reading The end of I-5 – Osorno to Puerto Montt (108k/24,403k, 1,660ft)

(November 11 – written by Dave) Our two relaxing days in Osorno come to an end tomorrow.  The usual “let’s stay another day” pull is there, but our wonderful tiny house is booked for the next week so we have to move on.  Since moving next door is just about as complicated as moving to … Continue reading Osorno and the plan ahead

(November 9 – written by Dave) Yesterday’s extra miles meant a short day today, very short.  This allowed us to have a sleep-in.  It wasn’t as if we wanted to spend any more time in our lovely cabana than we had to however.  It would seem that all of the spring rains this year have … Continue reading Escaping the potato bugs – Rio Buena to Osorno (34k/24,295k, 870ft)

(November 8 – written by Nancy) Last night the owner of the hostel came by our room to ask us what time we wanted breakfast, as it was included with the room rate.  When Dave suggested 7:30, the host commented that that was very early, but after hesitating a moment he agreed to the time.  … Continue reading No room at the inn – Panguipulli to near Rio Buena (118k/24,261k, 2370ft)

(November 7 – written by Dave) We spent a nice day today riding the “Seven Lakes Route” in the Southern Chilean Lakes District.  We didn’t know that the route had a fancy name but we certainly enjoyed the scenery.  We saw four volcanos and three of the seven lakes.  The countryside was nice rolling green … Continue reading Seven Lakes Way – Villarrica to Panguipulli (64k/24,144k, 1,650ft)

(November 6 – written by Dave) Back on January 3rd of this year, we took the ferry from La Paz, Baja, Mexico to Mazatlan.  While standing in the dinner queue on the ferry, I met a guy named Adrian Oh who was riding a skateboard from Vancouver, Canada to Ushuaia (yes, a skateboard).  We hadn’t … Continue reading Old friends – Temuco to Villarrica (82k/24,079k, 1,500ft)

(November 5 – written by Dave) It was super quiet in the hotel overnight.  We think the owner/manager came back but we weren’t sure.  If he did, then that meant that three people stayed at the hotel overnight.  We started a fire in the common area wood stove yesterday afternoon to take the chill off … Continue reading Road signs – Collipulli to Temuco (103k/23,997k, 1,550ft)

(November 4 – written by Dave) We got up this morning expecting cloudy skies and possibly some rain.  So you can just imagine how happy we were to see some blue.  In fact, around the cabana and Laja Falls, it was nothing but bright blue skies.  Wow, what a treat.  We rode the 200 metres … Continue reading Mixed day – Salto del Lajas to Collipulli (100k/23,894k, 2,450ft)