Patagonia, Argentina

Patagonia is an extreme and wildly diverse corner of the planet in South America's lower third encompassing mountains, lakes, deserts, rainforests, glaciers and fjords with an equally diverse measure of climate and weather phenomenon. Technically, Patagonia covers the lands of Argentina and Chile. While not completely clear, the name has roots in language used to describe the extra large footprints associated with the native people who occupied the region for centuries. Patagonia represents naked beauty at it's finest offering a wide range of experiences depending on your interest, time and ability to endure the elements.

 

I had never travaled this far south so it made sense to proceed along a well established route via the Internationally famous Highway 40. My first leg terminated in the picturesque San Martin de los Andes along the western borders of Argentina at the terminal point of Lake Lacar. A quaint mountain village, San Martin is reminiscent of what you'd find in the ski towns of Colorado. In fact, much of the chalet style architecture of Patagonia reflects the heavy immigration from Northern Europe during the early years of the 20th century.

 

San Martin is conveniently walkable and easily accessible to miles of hiking trails that meander in and around forests featuring intermittent vistas of the lake and surrounding terrain. And for those who require a ninety day visa renewal to maintain legal status in Argentina, San Martin offers a bus connection to the fascinating village of Pucon, Chile where you`ll disover the intimidating beauty of an active volcano within its shadow. Highly recommended - with or without visa issues.

 

By months end I had become intoxicated with the natural elements of Patagonia and decided to head further south for an extended stay in the region's largest city, Carlos de Bariloche. Like San Martin, Bariloche is nestled along the shores of a Lake (Nahuel Huapili) near a series of rolling hills that lead to smaller lake (Gutierrez) on the back side of its valley. Outside the city center you`ll find residential areas, resorts, restaurants and associated businesses along the many miles of its lakeshore. I rented a log cabin about two miles from town and spent a month exploring the shoreline and surrounding forests while making an annual trek to the city`s center each weekend.

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Patagonia is special place. This is where you come to purge your soul of the stress collected and stored while participating in the mechanized construct of first world societies. Its a place where you very feel very small, but never more alive. The power of nature, indeed!

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