The last day of 2010 and the best day on our trip. Met very nice people at breakfast, then rode out to the Moreno Glacier. Took the wrong road, it was gravel (ripia).
The road ended up intersecting the right road, which was beautiful pavement. Park entry is expensive. They stick it to the tourists, but we took advantage of the road. In the park, the road is perfect cement all the way to the parking lot for the Moreno Glacier. Twisty, undulating and following the shore of the lake, the road whispers to us (Enjoy).
Weather is scattered clouds, warm and a bit windy. Everything combines for the best ride of our trip. Up to 150 on some straights, slowing to 60 through 20-30kph hairpin turns. Few cars only added to the turns and challenge. Michael is hot on my tail and bikes are operating perfectly. After 35kms of perfect riding conditions, the parking lot for the Moreno Glacier arrives. Have perfect location to park the bikes in full view of everyone. Got tickets for the Catamaran ride to the wall of the glacier with an hour to spare. Went to the restaurant and had a great lunch, little pricey but good food. Walked down to the dock and was awe struck by the massive glacier hovering in the water in front of us. Boat ride was a perfect length of one hour, only 25% full and we had ample picture ops. After the boat ride, we walked the newly constructed pathway to many observation decks. Each deck higher and closer than the last.
Gun shot and thunder sounds as chunks of ice break off and fall into the lake.
On our walk back to our bikes, 2 BMWs show up and turns out that I had met them briefly at Viedma, 3 weeks earlier. On the way back to El Calefate, the park road was even better because the wind was at our backs. Engine sounds echo into our helmets instead of the wind of earlier in the day. Listening to these engines whir up and down while shifting in and out of the corners and straight stretches got us into the perfect zone for riding. After the exit of the park, the road straightens out and 140 is a perfect speed all the way back to town. Siesta, then David and Martin show up and get one of the last rooms. Evening planning discussions ensue, then shower, out to dinner at 10pm. Good dinner, pricey, but what do you expect for New Years Eve. Watched fireworks at midnight. Helena from Holland, who we met in the morning at the hostel, has accompanied us 4 guys. She is very friendly fits in with us very well. Went across the street from the restaurant for music and we all arrived back at the hostel about 3:30am on New years day. Greatest day ever!
HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE, from El Calafate, Argentina.
Awesome pics!
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