31-Jan-2010 11345 Miles

Puerto Montt. The roads have been easy since we got out of the desert in Northern Chile. It is easy in these conditions to let the terrain remind you of other places. Between Valparaiso and Santiago it felt like the a summer ride between Salt Lake City and Evanston, Wyoming. For parts of the ride today I could have imagined myself on a bike in the heavily wooded hills of Northern Georgia, at least until you catch a glimpse of a smoking volcano. Yep, Not in Georgia, Dorothy.

Sometimes, as you are riding along, you just suddenly notice that things have changed. Even though it has happened over a few hours or even days. I think that happens when the roads are good and easy and changes are gradual. It is easy to get hypnotized by the road when it is really good. And really good, as in pretty strait and smooth, is a new experience for us. For example, as we got closer to the sea at Puerto Montt the sky and clouds suddenly got my attention. Just a strange looking sky. I also realized today that the sun is tracking to the north of our position. It had appeared to be directly overhead for so long and I didn't really notice the change until today. But today it is clearly behind us as we head south.

That first pic is our first stop after about 10 minutes this morning. Nick is digging out the cold weather gear. 54 Degrees this morning and it only warmed up to about 68. What?!? No sympathy from Utah?!? What's up with that. Doesn't Nick's bike look good all cleaned up? I was beginning to think it was an old worn out piece of crap. Amazing what a little soap will do.