San Martin de los Andes

Our cousin Carly gave us a most generous gift while in Argentina; Actually two; he lent us his car and gave us the keys to his tranquil and comfortable home located in the southern Andes Mountain range. It was a long days drive but the views, once we passed through the arid desert landscape, were breathtakingly beautiful. Once we settled in, we spent several days relaxing in the cool, crisp mountain air (we went from 98 in the north to 40 at night in the Andes) in what is called the Lake District. We hiked, looked for golf balls (the house was on a golf course), napped, ate chocolate and drank hot chocolate all while nestled beneath grand mountains. We could see an imposing but regal volcano in the distance on the Chile side of the border. I took a ton of pictures, which was satisfying and soothing to my being (until Don and the girls got tired of me and started to give me grief whenever I wanted to stop the car!) We even found a troll forest. It was a magical place, the Lake District.

We had been told by family that the Lake District was not to be missed; that the area was beautiful. But I was not prepared for the majestic beauty we were blessed to witness. Gratitude filled my heart for days as we both explored and hung out in this remote, grand and sacred place, so far south on planet earth.

Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano which is in Chile.

The town of San Martin is in the background.

 The town of San Martin is a tourist destination. In the winter months there is skiing and fly fishing is popular throughout the year. Prior the the European invasion, there were ingenious peoples living in the area. Today, the towns architecture is directly influenced by those who settled in the area with those European backgrounds. I have not spent much time on the European continent but I felt like I was in the Swiss Alps not the Andes as I walked through the streets sight seeing. I loved the wooden designed homes and shops through out town.

The national flag.

We were greeted with incredible sunrises, blessed with warm, days and when the sun set and the chilly mountain air set in, we were bid good night with some of the most unbelievable sunsets. All I could think was how blessed we were and that Life was Good.