It's good to be king at the hot spring.

Our schedule for Day 2 in the Atacama desert called for a morning hike to some natural hot springs just north of San Pedro.  We had no idea what we were in for, but told our guide J.P. that we wouldn't mind a good walk, as yesterday afternoon's trip to the salt flats was more driving in the van than anything.......he advised that there was a long route option to the hot springs, and we would take it, and by the way, do you have enough water, and have you lathered up with sun screen.....warning number 101.  It was a short ride north to the village of Guatin, and we were out of the van at 10,700 ft and started walking uphill from there.  I have to tell you that I screwed  up with the camera this morning.........somehow I managed to switch a setting and all the pictures from the canyon are a mess........using them anyway, and a couple from Sam and Jutta.........won't happen again

The hike started along the canyon rim, uphill all the way, and could hear the river running below.

Great cactus field on the way

Looking back downhill as we descended into the canyon

The canyon is lush with long papas grass and baracha (sp?)

JP was a wealth of information and explained that the river running past us in the canyon originated higher up in the Andes from a hot source........Chile has about 500 volcanoes that are considered active, and probably three times that many that are dormant........geysers, hot springs, etc., all that stuff.........tons of everything going on beneath your feet, so it was no surprise that this river running past us was as warm as a nice bath. We were amazed by the height of the grass in the canyon (over 6 feet) and baracha was the same...........I have to figure out the name/spelling of this vegetation because I know it's story but don't know how to spell it!  A beautiful sturdy bush that leaves an almost sticky residue on your hand when you touch it, smelling much like eucalyptus, that the ancient ones would use in wrapped bundles for the roof of their homes and shelters in the canyon.  This canyon was a route used by shepherds to move and graze their flocks, and evidence of their dwellings, storage chambers, and corrals, are everywhere.  I was sucking wind a lot of the way when it came to climbing as we have been uphill all the way since the start.........this river is cooking.......flowing very fast as it moves past us 

Too bad about the picture, but the remains of a dwelling are right beside the big rock.......crap, what a mistake

Who would believe we are in a canyon just above the highest, driest, desert in the world

Made it.....great hike

Lower pools of the hot springs

So relaxing to float around in these pools......at least 6 total.......all great temperature.....all natural

The Explora Hotel Chain has purchased this area and now controls its use......other large hotels (like ours) have access with vehicles, but all other peasants must park up top and walk their asses up and down this huge f#%^@ing hill if they would like a dip in the pools

Our afternoon excursion was billed as the cornices..........a short drive south of town, and kind of on the back side of the Valley of the Moon..........getting out of the van we were greeted by an uphill hike, but the view was worth it when we got to the top.

The wind was blowing quite hard at the top, and we were warned not to get too close to the edge.......lol........like that was going to be a problem with me..........the view was stunning, and we could see the oasis that was San Pedro standing out on the desert floor.

So the guide said we are going to walk along this cliff, drop off the edge, and descend down the sand dune into the valley............................right!

OK......made it over the edge.......still safe in the pants........don't know if you can see the specs in the picture in the top left, but they are sand surfers from town.........we are up pretty high and this is a really cool/steep hill

Jutta strutting her stuff........downhill powder snowshoe technique

Sam looking good as always

Someone had to be last.......great form eh!

Lots of uphill for a 20 second ride............sand boarding tour from town.......what a rip........they charge you $.....give you some boots and a board, and then tell you to climb this sand dune............ 

This guy is a half second away from wiping it baaaaaaad!

Main street San Pedro........you have all seen this before somewhere and said it was sooooooo cute........truth be told, it is soooooooo cute.

GREAT DAY TODAY.........EVERYWHERE YOU TURN THERE ARE FANTASTIC VIEWS AND THINGS YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE.........HOTEL CONTINUES TO IMPRESS.........MORE TO COME