PATAGONIA--Day 3

Being so wiped out, we almost missed our reservation the next morning to see Lago Grey Glacier!  We quickly found out that one of the drawbacks of no wind meant MASSIVE amounts of mosquitos.  It did make us all run a little faster to catch our boat!

 No wind, but quite FRIGID!!!  Our snow gear would get some use after all.

 The change in temperature was a bit shocking :)

 Everyone was a bit happier INSIDE the boat :)

 The crew members scooped floating glacier chunks of ice out of the lake with a big net.  They then crushed them and used them for the Pisco Sour that was passed around to all who wanted some.  The kids braved getting even colder and truly experienced the glacier :)

 So blue!  The second the ice is exposed to oxygen, it turns white.

 And look who slept through it all.  Poor little thing has never staying up so late in his life.  The humming of the boat put him right out.  He got a nice 2 1/2 hour nap :)

Incredible

PATAGONIA--Day 2 continued (It was a long day!)

 Could the day get any more beautiful?  We were relishing our time in the car driving to Torres. 

We were prepared for all weather because every book and website I could get my hands on talked about the horrific winds and the freezing temperatures-- even in the "hot" summer months.  

This day must have been one in a million. 

 We came around a mountain and saw one lone Guanaco standing in the setting sun.  

 Running behind him was a Nandu~ related to the Ostrich family

 We were so enveloped in the beauty of it all, that when we got to the park entrance and Joe went in to pay the fee, we found out that we had gone to the absolute WRONG entrance of the park.  

Our cabana, where we would be staying, was at the opposite end.  The night was so gorgeous we almost didn't mind the extra 2 hours in the car. 

 Another late night when we finally found our lodging for the next 3 nights.  Didn't really want the kids getting used to a 1AM bedtime, but we were starting a habit that was quickly spiraling out of control!

 It was pitch black the night we brought all of our luggage into our little cabana at Hotel Tyndall.  When I woke up the next morning and looked out the kitchen window, this is what I saw.  

Welcome to Torres del Paine!

PATAGONIA-- Day 2

We got to our hotel around 1am after a midnight snack at Lomito's.  Yummy burgers and even chocolate milkshakes!  We were beyond tired, but extremely grateful that we had a means of transportation!  We woke up the next day and put all of our luggage back in the car and headed over to the local HyperLider to stock up on food and supplies before making the drive into Torres Del Paine National Park.  The day was perfect.  The sky was blue.  The clouds-something out of a fantasy.  We were off.

Our first stop to gas up and have lunch was about 2 hours away in Puerto Natales.  

Beautiful views from the little, sleepy town... We couldn't wait to get into the park!

We ate at a delicious pizza place called "Mesita Grande" that came recommended.  It was worth the stop! Yes, and the kids did leave their mark on the chalkboard :)  When we went back on our return trip, they were thrilled that their names were still there.

We drove out of town and headed to see Cueva del Milodon on our way to the park.

The cave was discovered in 1895 by Hermann Eberhard, German explorer of Patagonia. He found a large, seemingly fresh piece of skin of an unidentified animal.  Later it was recognized that the skin belonged to a Mylodon - an extinct animal which died 10,000 years ago.

Jake stood up right after this shot and impaled his forehead with one of the Mylodon's spiky furs.  Good times.  

Despite his poor forehead, he loved the cool cave and the echoes our voices made.

The exploring had begun in this magical land.  

PATAGONIA: We rocked it.... or did it rock us???

I haven't written in a little bit.  We squeezed in one final trip before school started up again.  And it was a big one!  The south south south of Chile, down in Southern Patagonia, is known to be absolutely breathtaking (and I'm not just talking about the wind)!  I really wanted to see it.  So did Joe.  We started planning it back in December because February is THE vacation month for Chileans.  We wanted to make sure that we could rent a car and have places to stay!   So, we started reserving, and had everything planned out with receipts and confirmations for all, tucked away nicely in my little manila folder.  

The day of our 4 1/2 hour flight south arrived.  Joe came home early and I had all of our bags ready to go by the door.  Everyone was all smiles.  "Maybe we should call the rental car company just to reconfirm that they know we will be driving into Argentina," I suggested.  We were told that you need specific paperwork in order to travel into another country with a rental.  My suggestion could be translated to:  "Joe, can you call the rental car company and remind them?"  I'm not good with Spanish on the phone.  I struggle.  I leave that to him.  THANK GOODNESS he's amazing.  

One hour before we left, Joe picked up the phone and called Alamo.  All of the sudden my heart crashed to my toes.  "So you are telling me that even though we have a confirmation print out in hand, there is no car waiting for us in Punta Arenas?!  Doesn't that sound a little strange to you?!"  Oh no!!!  And then Joe closed the bedroom door to block out distractions-- aka. kids running around making plenty of melodious noise ;).

I was shocked.  Our entire trip held on the one fact that we would have a car to take us in a big circle in southern Patagonia, with stops at various hotels along the way.  No car meant cancellation fees at every hotel and ultimately no trip.  There were no other cars available--Remember?  It's February.  So we frantically started looking at other rental companies and found one that was expensive but could give us a truck.  Yes!  We'll take it!  And headed off to the airport, sweaty and exhausted. 

When we touched down at our first stop, Joe got a text from the guy saying he was very sorry, but the truck was apparently missing a part and wasn't working.  We were out of luck again.  The kids and I got together and said a prayer right then and there while Joe got on the phone again.  We exhausted our options and now we just needed a little faith.  We arrived in Punta Arenas at 10:30 at night.  Gathered our luggage and as we walked toward the exit, there was one lone guy standing under the Alamo sign.  Joe ran over to him and the guy said, "Yes, we were expecting you-- and we've upgraded your car!"  "WHAT???!!!!!!"  Amazing what a little faith can do.  And thus, our vacation began. 

Success!!!

I have to say, having two summers this year is quite wonderful!!   I bought a few things for the kids at  MallSport, for an upcoming trip, and realized I didn't need them.  They were way overpriced anyway, so I decided to take them back.  When the kids and I walked into the store, I explained that we didn't need these 3 items and I'd like to return them.  "Para cambiar?" (To exchange?) The lady behind the counter said to me.  "No, para devolver, por favor." (No, to return, please) I said with a smile.  Never could I have imagined that returning something to a store would be such a task!  The manager and his manager both had to be called in.  They stared at my receipt for a few minutes and then had to go consult someone else!  This was ridiculous!  Remind me not to buy anything down here unless I know for certain it will get used or eaten!!  I finally hear the guy mutter in Spanish, "Well, she did buy a lot of other things."  As if that matters!!!  Apparently it does.  I filled out a big form and then they gave me cash back.  I guess you can't put credit back on your card.  Lesson learned.  At least I didn't have to make a stop at the bank for some cash!

We celebrated my success by treating the kids to a GoKart ride in the middle of the mall.  It's the coolest place!  Every store is devoted to some type of sport and there's a huge rock climbing wall, this GoKart track, and a ropes course way above everyone's heads!  Then you go outside and they have one of those surfing wave places... anyway, the kids were pumped....or so I thought.  As soon as I payed, suddenly Kate didn't want to do it.  Jake on the other hand took off-- I think he was supposed to be in the middle with the little kids, but he looks so big down here, that the guy just let him go.  He was loving life!!!  I made Kate do one loop.  It was still a no go and the guy trying to comfort her in Spanish, didn't really do the trick.  Still don't know why she suddenly turned weepy on me, but we sat and watched Jake go round and round with the biggest grin on his face and 

sweat streaming down his neck.  

 After a trip to the doctor for some vaccinations and a little swimming, 

we ended the day the way we love best.  

I love that Luke did this for Kate, but only made it through two pages with me.  I love summer. 

 I love having a successful Spanish-speaking day.  I love my family.

Hot Summer Fun

Saturday afternoon

It is so great having a pool!

Date Night

Kate made a request of Joe that he come home early last Thursday night.  She had a little something planned.  Little did he know that she had stayed up all night reading the "Friend" magazine, picking out the best recipes for kids, to try.  We spent all day trying homemade frozen yogurt, homemade pretzels, chocolate covered bananas, mini pizzas, and because we didn't have all of the ingredients for "taco in a bowl," we made a slight variation.  You should have seen the kitchen!!  Kate had specific instructions that the kids would eat first, then take baths.  Luke would go to bed and Kate and Jake would put on something nice.  We were told to do the same.  Once everyone was looking classy, we were invited into the dining room for a date night.

 

 Complete with menus, name tags, decorations, and classical music. 

Best service we've ever had at a restaurant.  5 stars hands down.  

Thank you, Kate and Jake for a WONDERFUL evening.  Dad and I loved it! 

 I didn't even mind cleaning up afterwards...Well, not really :)