Pucon: Day 5

PUCON: DAY 5 Sightseeing!

FINALLY - something Mom can do :)

Pucon is about halfway between the ocean and Argentina. So on our day of sightseeing, we decided to head opposite of the ocean (gasp) and more toward the Argentina border. There were several waterfalls, a couple of national parks, and a lake area that I wanted to see. We also threw in our swimming gear just in case we decided to stop at a Thermal pool.

It was raining (surprise, surprise) so we knew much of our sightseeing might just be out of the car window, but we were ok with that.

Stop 1: Ojos del Caburgua (Waterfall)
We had to get out of the car, but it was only a short walk to an amazing "Laguna Azul" and waterfall.

Stop 2: Largo Caburga (Lake Caburga)

We took photos from the car for this stop. The rain had picked up and there were not any trees along the beach to shelter us. Still a beautiful area. It would be nice to head that way again in better weather. I don't know if we will - seeing as we have such a short time to explore this country. It's hard to justify going to the same place twice. But for my friends in Chile - a MUST go in the warmer, dryer months :)

Stop 3: Parque Nacional Huerquehue (Parque National Park)

The drive up to this national park was stunning. I didn't get any amazing shots due to the rain, but I am telling you it was green and lush and looking down over the valley spotted with barns and pastures - absolutely stunning!

The switchbacks were ever so 'eerie' with the looming fog. 

And a little unsettling with the stray cattle, pigs and goats along the side of the foggy, narrow, winding road. 

We finally arrived at the park. Greg stayed IN the car to take the picture, and made us GET OUT in the freezing cold. 

We did get to see a select few of Chile's National Tree: Araucaria Araucana (often called the Monkey Tail tree). It is a beautiful evergreen tree with almost a succulent type leave on the spindly branches. 

Parque Nacional Huerquehue runs along side Largo Caburga - opposite of the beach were we first stopped. We found out, upon arrival, that this is actually a hiking park; with hikes ranging in length from 2 hours to 3 days. There is a short little path along the Largo, we were told that we could do in about 5 minutes. We opted for that, as we were NOT dressed for anything longer in that weather. 

It would be amazing to hike through there - again, for my resident Chilean amigos :)

Stop 4: Lunch at Volcaburger

The little burger place in downtown Pucon - has THE best french fries in all of Chile! Order fries here and you get those thick-cut potato wedges that are not in anyway 'crispy', but at the burger joint in Pucon - REAL AMERICAN french fries! YUM-O! But bring cash, they don't take cards there. 

Stop 5: Ojos del Caburga (well almost)

We headed a few minutes outside of town to a fun little 'village' looking place - a tourist trap, I am sure. But waaay cool. Alas, it was closed. However, on the way to that little place, we crossed the funest little one lane wooden bridge.

We basically crossed the bridge to get to the little village, found out it was closed and then turned around and went back across. It was VERY narrow. I could have touched the railing with my hand as we drove across. It crossed a pretty large, fast moving river. It also seems that they are building a REAL bridge to replace it. Probably not a bad idea. This one was pretty rickety. 

Stop 6: Cuevas Volcanicas (Volcanic Caves)

Well, again - this was an attempt to see the volcanic caves. As I mentioned before, the cabin we stayed is was within minutes of the volcano. We were not sure if they'd be open, but we thought we'd check it out, seeing as they were really not far out of our way.

We never found out if those caves were open. We got about half way there and the road looked like this:

Slushy, slippery, black volcanic sand. This is a photo taken just before we got stuck. Nope. Unfortunately, not a single photograph of the boys pushing from the front and me standing on the back bumper (snowy mud flinging up at me) as Greg tried to guide us out of the ditch. We got out. Promptly decided that was about enough excitement for one day (it was bitter cold) and headed back to the cabin. 

We threw lots of extra logs on the fire, made hot cocoa and bundled up in blankets while we watched Pirates of the Caribbean. A great ending to a fantastic week.

Pucon: Day 4

PUCON: DAY 4 Zip Lining

It was COOOOOLD and POURING RAIN on Wednesday afternoon as the boys prepared for their zip lining adventure. The were grateful that mom bought those $300 waterproof jackets (I got a smokin' deal on them at the outlets in Anthem, AZ). They layered up and added snow pants on top. Now they were ready to face the elements at 20mph on a wire extended in the treetops. 

They had an amazing time. 

Apparently the rain makes it even faster. The boys commented on how they had to turn their faces to the side otherwise the rain would hit them in the face so much that they couldn't see. Part of the draw was to see the river and beauty of the forest - it was a blast :)

What a fun adventure!

We rounded out our day by heading to an Argentinean restaurant for dinner where they grilled the meat outside. The smell was to die for. 

We ordered the special sampler platter for 4 and ended up with enough food for 2 meals. 

Here the boys are devouring the fired, four-cheese appetizer.

Now for that pile 'o meat

Holy Cow! 

The black sausage thing on top is Blood Sausage. I've never tried it - but you know the boys (specifically Andrew) convinced me to.

Bottoms up! The verdict: It wasn't really so bad, but I can't get over the fact that it is coagulated blood. Gross. Once was enough for me. 

Everything else was divine. The pork - yum! Lomo - delish! Ribs - hello! I didn't really try the kabobs - the kids devoured them. But I of course loved the choripan. 

Such a fun day! I didn't go zip lining. Too cold and my fear of heights kept me on the ground. I miss out on all the fun... But I read book 2 that day - so not so bad :)

*And please forgive the hair in all of the photos from this trip. It WAS raining folks! Naturally curly hair REALLY frizzes up in the rain...

Pucon: Day 2 & 3

PUCON: DAY 2

RELAXATION AND REJUVENATION! Not much to report about this day. We spent the entire day bundled up and reading in the rain. We went out for lunch at a great little pizza place after browsing through some shops. After seeing a few things around town, we headed back to the cabin to veg some more. It was a well needed break from real-life.

PUCON: DAY 3 "Dieciocho" 18 of August - Chile's National Independence Day

The one day that was partly sunny and no rain - IT WAS PERFECT!

Greg and the boys headed 10 minutes up the mountain to the active volcano "Villarica" to ski down the side of it. Pretty cool. Skiing on an active volcano.

The guys were intending to rent chains for the truck tires, but when they went to the rental place, they were told that they wouldn't need them. So they headed up. About 3 minutes from the ski place, they started sliding. They slide down hill sideways on a very narrow road surrounded on either side by deep ditches, into oncoming traffic. They were able to get turned around unscathed and found another rental place that put chains on their tires. They made it the rest of the way easily with chains on.  

You see the 'cloud' above that mountain? It is actually gasses from the top of the volcano. 

Andrew and Alex on the tiny little lift. They said it took forever because it was so small. They had to wait in line a lot.

There was a fun area that was built up for doing tricks. There is lots of GoPro video of the kids snowboarding on rails and jumping off ramps. 

Andrew is in red

Alex in black

They said it wasn't the greatest ski hill they've been to - but it was wicked cool to snowboard on an active volcano. 

It was such a beautiful day, that when they got home, they drove me up to see the volcano. I've never seen an active volcano - I thought it was pretty "wicked cool" too!

You can see the gases really well in this closeup shot:

And don't let the sunshine fool you - it was bitter cold! My eyes were watering in this picture:

The boys were sizing each other up after that last photo when their dad mentioned that Alex may be just as tall as Andrew.

Oh, and Scooter got to see the volcano too!

We headed back home and Greg started up the grill. It was Independence Day after all and Chilean tradition requires Choripan! YUM!

Alex entertained and befriended three cats that came with the house. They didn't like our dog, so they couldn't come inside (besides, mom's allergies and cats don't get along). Alex made sure they felt loved even though they were outside. He fed them daily and even named them.

I think there was a Mowerton, I'll have to ask Alex the other names...

While the boys were off snowboarding/skiing I found time to read one of three books that I would get finished that week. Sweet, Quiet, English-Speaking, Bliss....