Fred, Wilma, Andino

Not another of my catchy rhymed titles on this instalment, but you will see the significance soon.  I know Jutta is posting more recent events on Facebook/Instagram, and I am dragging behind on the blog, but promise to do better going forward…….staying very busy every day.

We were headed to Santiago last time we talked, and we dropped our rental car (mistake) and picked up an arranged ride to the Maipo River Valley which starts just beyond the southeast corner of the city.  The Maipo River is a major waterway flowing/gushing down from the Andes, and offers not only irrigation and hydroelectric power to a vast area, but is also a mecca for recreation seekers of all types.  Great hiking, biking (road + trail), climbing, rafting, kayaking, back country and heli skiing………the list goes on.  

We stayed at the “Andino" Lodge, a good 45 minute drive up the valley, and were told this was the original home of the owners, and that when they came to the valley 40-50 years ago, they purchased a huge tract of land……..I mean HUGE……..including the mountains on both side of the river.  They have since sold various parcels, but still own the bulk of the valley in this area.  They maintain a sizeable walnut plantation complete with full irrigation system up the sides of the valley. 

Our New Years Eve was spent with the 3 other guests at the lodge........a nice dinner, followed by drinks........ and then the fireworks went off........not rockets and mortars, but nature's own brand.......a huge thunder and lightning storm lit up the valley with visible strikes on the mountains around us.......torrential rain........power went out, and we all called it a night, and brought in the new year by candlelight.  Everyone said this was a special event and very unusual for this time of year.

The red roofs in the lower left is the lodge, surrounded by walnut trees

Back of the lodge.....something is smoking in the kitchen

View up the valley.....those are all walnut trees

Smoked ribs for lunch.....food was excellent at the lodge 

There was an in house chef.......fantastic meals.......great service from the staff, but very limited English was spoken........our server still giggled every time she thought of Jutta trying to get some honey at breakfast by doing a bee impersonation......funny

Jutta and Sam went for a ride when we arrived.....Chilean cowboy Marco led the way

Reached the top.....view down valley towards Santiago

We hiked what the girls did on horseback the day before.......need some hay and oats when I get back

I mentioned in the intro that it was a mistake dropping off the rental car........realized we were restricted to the lodge property and needed some wheels to go and explore the valley.  Our guide/concierge at the property, Canela, was born and had lived in the valley her whole life, and made it clear that if we didn't get up the valley it would be a big mistake.  She jumped into action, called some contacts, and before you knew it, Karime (intotheandes.com) was booked with her trusty Land Rover, and we were off.  These two are adventurers........rock climbers, kayakers, back country skiers..........knew the valley like the back of their hand, and were a whole lot of fun.  Turns out dropping the rental car was the best mistake we ever made because it allowed us to spend the day with these great gals.

And then we met The Valley Girls.......Karime foreground, Canela behind

Canela and Karime

We wanted to get to a high point in the valley where Canela told us there were confirmed dinosaur prints and fossils in the rock.........now you get it......Fred, Wilma, Dino, Flintstones, prehistoric, etc., etc.

Dinosaur prints

High elevation but flowers still blooming

Goats roaming free

Sam the horse whisperer......valley girls said they had never seen the horses come close like this before

I actually like this picture of me.......highly unusual

On the way back down the valley we stopped at the goat farm and the girls all took their turns hugging the goats......apparently good luck for the new year.......this little white guy was loving it and looking for more

Truly a beautiful valley, and very special place

We are very close to the border with Argentina this far up the valley.  Canela explained there is a struggle underway in the valley to preserve the environment from those who hope to exploit it for hydroelectric power and mining.

I think Jutta is happy

I think Sam is happy too

Just stunning

Our New Years full moon rising over the valley