LET'S SEE WHERE WE END UP NOW

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

We’re taking a different direction today and head eastbound into the mountains.
In this area are several dams, controlling the water flow for the rich valley. It is quiet on the road and we can easily stop here and there for pictures or pull into the site for the Recoleta Dam, where we watch the fish jumping and the ducks hoping to catch some of these fish.

It's funny, but after weeks in the desert, ordinary things such as ducks, fish and birds are an attraction, we tend to take for granted.

We’re not sure what to expect when we head further into the mountains. will it be desolate with nothing but cactus, or will it be full of life with lots of green and little villages. Being in such a rich valley, we know we can expect more than cactus and indeed, as the road meanders through he mountains we come upon one agricultural village after another, without knowing what pops up after the next curve.

The map indicates a gravel road, but we are in luck, a brand new paved road is leading us all the way.  Many people may have lost part of their property, with the widening of the road, but in return they received a concrete staircase leading down to the road, a driveway and in some cases an attractive retaining wall.

Every time we see the signs for the speed limit, Ramiro shakes his head. The signs often reads: "Suggested Speed Limit".  If it is suggested, would anyone actaully stick to that limit?

Along the road workers are still putting on the finishing touches, They have  a large pot of tar boiling on a propane stove and with an old tea kettle they pour the hot tar in the cracks along the road sealing it from the water coming in from the mountains.

During the rainy season in winter there is a lot of water here. So much, that it floods the road. Markers are placed to let drivers know if it is safe to cross, depending on the water level on the markers.




It’s difficult to believe, but fall has officially arrived in Chile, the leaves on some of the trees are changing colours. This valley should be enjoyed on bicycle, horseback or on foot. It is so beautiful and the sounds are wonderful. The birds are singing as if there is no tomorrow. Perhaps we will see some of them in Canada this summer as they work their way up north.

Here in the Samo Alto area we get a real good idea of how the  fruit trees (like nectarines or mangos) are being planted and cared for. The rough hills are being cultivated and trenches are dug, leaving long rows of high hills, where water lines are being pulled through. About every two meters or so, a small spout comes out of the ground, serving as a water supply for the small tree through a drip system.
The trees are being protected very well from the wind and other environmental aspects. Fences with a lightweight plastic have been put up at 50 meters intervals. They can be partially rolled up to allow ventilation.

Further up into the hills we come upon part of the Sendero Chile. A series of trail systems that run for many miles through a number of archeological sites.
We only walk a few kilometers of the trail, exploring the many rock drawings. Some of which are easy to identify, while other have eroded. How much longer will we be able to see the evidence of ancient cultures, as they slowly disappear?

We turn of the nicely paved road onto another tiny dirt road into the mountains.
Are we on the right track? We won’t know until we see some form of signage directing us to Natural Monument Pichasca. It is a good thing we have developed a good sense for navigating and finding these places. Inexperienced travelers would have had difficulty finding this place.

We Pay our entrance fee to the park attendant, who appears to be living here. He bombards us with information about the park of which he is very proud.

Again, we are the only tourists and take advantage of this peaceful afternoon away from the busy traffic in the city. By now the sun is high up in the sky and it is actually getting pretty hot. We find a sheltered area, drag the coolbox out of the car and prepare lunch, before we take off on a one hour hike through the park.

Along the trail we find pieces of petrified wood, petroglyphs, fossils dinosaurs, and a cave dwelling. The owner is just preparing barbecued rabbit and I offer him some of my water. He prefers the water from the stream.

We almost missed an interesting spot. Once we are way up on top of the hill we notice some sort of structure down below and check it out when we return. It appears to be an old mud hut, dug out into the hill with a cactus wood door. Next to it is a place where the goats were being kept.
What an amazing park. If the cactus trees and the rocks could only talk, they would have some amazing stories to tell.

We take our time and enjoy our walk through the park. We are in no hurry to return to Ovalle. But once we do, the cell phone starts ringing again. Ramiro is already getting a few calls in response to the ad he placed for the car.

I am ready for a different type of meal, and as we explore a different part of town we come upon a Chinese restaurant. I never knew Chinese food could taste this good. Much better actually than in Canada. Or did I forget what Canadian food tastes like.