Cascadas, saltos, cataratas

We´ve spent the last three days exploring the cascading waters around Pucón. Today, we visited a staircasing series of waterfalls and rapids that our friends here like to kayak, and then soaked in gorgeous hot springs next to the Liucura River.


Yesterday, we hiked in a private nature preserve that was created to protect old-growth forest and, in the afternoon, went kayaking in inflatable boats called ¨duckies.¨ Ha!, Go Duckies! The river (Rio Liucura flowing into the Trancura) was breathtakingly beautiful, with views of the snow-capped Volcan Villarica, and heart-quickening rapids: so much FUN! It definitely got my adrenaline going! (Stay tuned for photos that the guide company took. I´ll add them when I get them.)
Generally, we have been enjoying seeing this dynamic landscape from the perspective of our friends here who kayak big rivers, including very tall waterfalls. It is truly a different perspective on nature. What a gift.

Hiking around, outside Pucon

They kayak this!!!

Ryan, LJ, Jared, and Isaac by one of the kayakers´favorite runs called ¨Demshitz¨

Though we have been loving every moment we have spent in Chile´s mountains, we are beginning to think about returning to the coast soon, maybe even tomorrow. Ocean waves are beckoning, and we know podemos subir otra vez (we can climb up again).
We will continue to stay connected with you all.
Lots of love,
Jess and Ryan

Las Montañas

Hi everyone!

A week ago, we decided to leave Chile´s beautiful coast for the mountains, knowing that we would return to the beach later in the trip. What we have found in the mountains has definitely exceeded our expectations. The pictures & captions tell the story best.

The first couple days were magically misty and rainy, which meant we had the camping all to ourselves at this amazing spot on the property of a Swiss lodge.

We hiked through a forest of rare Araucaria trees to the base of Volcan Lonquimay.

After navigating a road that would have been challenging even with 4-wheel drive, we found ourselves camped by this lake, at the foot of Volcan Llaima, which is Chile´s most active volcano (it last erupted in 2008).

Another great hike to the source of the Rio Truful-Truful, where we saw no fewer than 20 waterfalls, a condor, breathtaking volcano views, glacial snowfields, and many other wonders of nature. My legs were soooo sore!!!!

We have been so comfortable camping in the lap of El Furgon that we haven´t felt the desire or need to rent a cabin or hotel room for almost two weeks, until now. It was the dirty laundry that finally pushed us into the comforts of a hotel room. So, we are celebrating Ryan´s 35th birthday here in the small Chilean city of Temuco: indulging in very reliable hot showers, watching the Olympics and movies on the television in our room, exploring local handcrafts & food, and eagerly anticipating clean clothes.

Our next stop is Pucon, to hook up with our friend LJ and check out the ¨Lake Tahoe of Chile.¨We´ll keep you in the loop. Please continue to keep us in your loop, too. We love to hear your updates!

Love,

Jess and Ryan