3-19-17

So back at the ranch we kicked back; Ben and Dave in the hammocks...

Fernando, Santiago, John & Jeff at the beer table...

Anne, Kathryn and I in our yert!

This place was incredible! A tiny little Mini Mansion in Argentina. Fernando, the owner built the yert along with the ranch house. He did all the wood and stone work which was mostly supplied with what in found on the land. He also made ALL the furnishings (tables, beds, lamps etc). Artistic, creative & multi-talented Fernando!

This bicycle is how he would get many of the big stones he needed for building. The stationary bike is connected to a cable and Fernando would "pedal" the stones from down the hill near a river bed. He'd wrap the cable around the rocks and up, up, up they'd come. Fun fact: Fernando has also cycled from Argentina to Alaska. It was Fernando who inspired Santiago many years ago to do the same.

Check out the ceiling of the yert.

The cute beds & stone walls.

Outside the yert.

We're standing near the yert & next to this huge cactus. Just up the dirt path is the ranch house.

Fernando led the whole crew on a hike before supper. We were in search of more ruins from another indigenous tribe.

We found several pieces of painted pottery in the area where a few stone walls were still standing. Fernando said not much is known about this tribe but it wasn't terribly far from the Quilmes settlement that we saw a couple days earlier.

Beautiful to the South.

Beautiful to the North.

 We found a herd of curious goats. And I found a heart rock for Bob!

I thought it was too heavy to carry on my bike so I left it there. Now I wish I brought it home. Sorry Bob. Now you have a heart rock in Argentina. <3

Fernando with our crew (minus Rick).

We took a few pics in front of this pretty church & then back to the ranch for a yummy supper. Thanks, Fernando for hosting our group. What a wonderful stay!

3-18-17

We arrived at this cool mountain ranch outside Los Salas on 3/12. More pics of this place later but before chill'n in those hammocks we had a short biking day & some time to browse a local museum on the indigenous people.

The museum had indoor exhibits but the most fascinating part was the outdoor walking grounds. 

Incredible artistic walkways and stone structures everywhere.

 It was a lovely day to walk around.

The museum took 30 years & 150 workers to build.

And we met the designer, Hector Cruz! He's in the teal shirt in above photo.

My favorite thing was the enormous rock table. We decided to hold an impromtu meeting. ;-)

This museum was an enjoyable stop!

This lunch spot was NOT an enjoyable stop! :-(

We tried to have a nice lunch here. The setting was good. The wine looked good (we should have had some).

The chef was nice. The food was ok. BUT...the horrible part were the flies at our table. THEE worst flies ever & so many of them. It was too bad & we got through it but we all HATED those flies. :-(

After lunch we hit the pavement for a while.

Then we hit the dirt for 5 miles of rocky road to the ranch.

Charlie's Angels handled the terrain like pros. :-)

And like angels (or princesses)...we were given cold drinks when we arrived.

This spot was VERY enjoyable!

3-17-17

After a 2 night stay in Cafayate we leave the vineyards behind.

We pass many cacti. A familiar sight lately.

Pretty roadside flowers appeared from time to time.

We saw old trucks,

old cemeteries,

and old houses with more pretty flowers.

We found llamas behind fences.

And others in abandoned buildings!

We took a side trip to see the ruins of Quilmes. The Quilmes Indians once lived here in the largest pre-Columbian settlement. Look at the system they had! Stone walls outlined their homes where thatch roofs once covered.

The Quilmes Indians were forced out on foot by the Spanish. Most died before they reached Buenos Aires and many died after from disease.

Ben taking it in from above.

This is a local artist that was selling her watercolor paintings near the ruins. You could buy postcards, framed pictures & t-shirts. Her work was beautiful and I bought one of her tank tops.

John herding goats by bike! :-)  To our surprise a gang of goats & 1 sheep jumped out of the ditch and ran along side us & then in front for a good ways. Goofy!

After showers it became routine for our group to enjoy a beer or a glass of Malbec. Tonight was a lovely evening to enjoy those drinks on the patio.

This llama thought it was a good day. I agree.

3-16-17

After golfing 9 holes with the guys I took a taxi to a highly recommended winery; Piattelli. It was at the end of a gravel road and tucked up against the mountain.

The view was breathtaking and like the golf course it was extremely quiet. I practically had the place to myself (which I LOVED)!

I slinked into a chair on the patio, ordered a glass of Malbec & cheesecake & took it ALL in. It was perfection except that Bob wasn't there. So, I texted Bob the above photo, called & talked to him using our VIBER app & it almost felt like he was enjoying it with me. :-)

Malbec is THEE wine of Argentina. And Argentina is currently the main producer of Malbec in the world. I'm a fan of red wine & really enjoy Malbec.

The area around Cafayate is like Napa Valley. It is the 2nd most popular wine region. Mendoza is #1. The Cafayate town and surrounding area with vineyards & wineries was gorgeous. I would have loved to tour the area more & sample more Malbec. Maybe Bob & I will return here one day!

I didn't take many pics inside Piattelli but it had pretty artwork, wood tables & a lovely restaurant & gift shop.

Surrounding the patio where I sat for 2 hours were blooming lavender & rose bushes. It was a lovely day spent while recovering our cycling legs.

A taxi ride back into Cafayate took me past the town square cathedral.

And back to our hotel where Lola the dog greeted me.

The next morning we left Cafayate & our charming 2 night stay here. Cafayate was a highlight along our biking route. 2 thumbs up!!