3-11-17

Good morning, Argentina! Woke up to birds chirping, mild temps & a welcomed overcast sky. Wifi was not usually available throughout our tour but at this ranch stay we had the ability to use our cell phones. It was so nice to talk or text with Bob when able! Amazing how that is possible when you're so far away!

Day 2 / March 8th...

At 8am we gathered as Rick gave the day's overview. We do around the circle check-in as a good way to see how everyone feels before heading out.

We passed through a small town & stopped to get a few supplies from the local mercado. Kathryn posing next to our fully loaded bicycles.

Here is one of my favorite dogs along our trip. He really poured on those "puppy dog eyes".

And he stuck close to our bicycles until we were on our way.

Our fearless leaders Rick & Santiago just cruis'n.

Jeff & Ben having fun pushing the pace.

We passed by some houses with chickens & goats.

These animals belonged to this lovely woman. I asked (well, Santiago asked for me) if I could take her picture. She said she was happy to have her photo taken & gave me a big smile. :-)

At another point I took a pic of some local bikes outside a meat shop.

Later some beautiful wild horses. Mommy & her colt.

It was a day with some very pretty scenery.

And it was the day I discovered that Argentina has Pringles (sometimes). Never pass up a can of Pringles!! ;-) The Cafa Con Leche was very good in Argentina & it became my morning staple (sometimes 2 cups a morning for me & the group).

Arrived at our night's stay which was a goat cheese farm with an inviting pool & view. Cervezas on the deck!

Soon after it was cheese & meat plates in the cabana near-by. And a couple hours after that we had a huge steak supper. I soon discovered that I would not be losing weight on this cycling tour!!

3-10-17

Favorite photo from Day 1.

3-9-17

Day 1 on the bike continued...

After we arrived at the ranch & had a dip in the pool, Rick took us on an 8 mile bike excursion. We cruised to a local reservoir & a few opted for a quick swim.

Then we enjoyed happy hour with a nice view of the lake.

We found a wine we liked...a cat we liked...

...and later Rick found a toad he liked. That is one large Sapo!

Back at the ranch it was time for our 9pm supper. This is the typical hour (or later) that dinner is served in Argentina. That was the hardest thing for me to get used to (not sure I ever adjusted to that supper hour - zzzz). 

The meal was delicious! Thank you to this crew who joyfully cooked a feast of steak, fries, veggies, bread & topped it off with the best dessert I had the whole trip. It was a caramel & chocolate crepe. Never to be duplicated...it was amazing!

3-8-17

My bike is ready!

Day 1: Argentina Cycling Tour / March 7, 2017

I wish we had a hanging scale to weigh our bikes. I quickly wondered if I had over packed because it sure was heavy! So were many of the other bikes. PS: By the end of the trip I had used everything I packed! Yay!!

Our start photo before getting on our horses. All smiles.

2 hours was spent weaving ourselves out of the city. It wasn't bad. Here's our 1st stop on the edge of Salta.

Argentina bananas = good biking food.

Out in the country we passed many cornfields.

Am I in IOWA!?!?

A stop in a little town park for lunch. We had packed the supplies of cheese, salami, bread, veggies, nuts & cookies. That dog on the sidewalk we named Malbec. He followed us from this town to the next town. It was FAR & this dog was a rockstar running & running in pure joy next to our bikes.

Anne took this photo of Malbec cooling off in the next town (where she stayed). She was quite a dog!

We also passed fields of tobacco. Those are wagons of tobacco behind Ben & John.

Tobacco close-up.

Near the end of today's ride it started getting warm & all felt a bit tired & thirsty. This billboard seemed to speak to our group. :-)

Then we pulled into the ranch where we'd be staying. This refreshing pool greeted us. It was a lovely sight!

Ben took my photo while Dave quickly cooled his head off in the pool.

Santiago collapsed in the nearest lounge chair.

Then John, myself & several others went for a swim. It felt sooooo good!

3-7-17

Here's our Two Wheel View Cycling Crew!

Rick, Me, Kathryn, Anne, Dave, Ben, Santiago, Jeff, & John.

They're a really nice & fun group of folks. They're also all from Canada (except Santiago & me).

Everyone arrived yesterday. Today (3/6) we took the day to walk around Salta, shop, get fitted on our bikes & have dinner together. Tomorrow we'll leave Salta by bicycle.

It was great to have Bob here to meet everyone & tour Salta with me. He'll fly back to the USA tomorrow.

I was obsessed with this tile floor in front of the cathedral. The 3D illusion was cool.

Obsession proof; selfie pic with the floor.

Inside the beautiful cathedral.

Up the gondola for some city views.

I believe the population of Salta is 25k.

Bob & Ben (& I) walking around town.

Back at the hotel enjoying some vino.

Then out for dinner with a music & dance show. Me having fun dancing with a gaucho.

The next morning (3/7) Bob leaves in a taxi. Sad to see him drive off. Gonna miss him the next 10 days. :-(