Code 99
Code99
American, father, husband, realist (some would say pessimist), skeptic, reluctant cynic, libertarian, individualist, Southerner, traveler, guitar player, avid reader, history enthusiast, ever vigilant seeker of truth and knowledge and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound...
LIVE FREE OR DIE
Travel Blog Posts
September 21st 2008
It was 10 years ago when I really started to travel. I had been a few places before then but it was my first trip to Ireland that really started my desire-----no, my NEED----to travel. Fast forward 10 years and nearly 40 countries later and here I am, taking what will probably be my last trip for quite some time. You see, I am embarking on a new kind of adventure now and I am more excited about this one than any that came before: Lorena and I found out just a week before we left that we are expecting our first child. I think that there's a nice symmetry in the fact that it all started with Ireland and now it all ends with Ireland------kind of like a nice set of bookends... JWB... read more
December 19th 2007
El Bolson is the place I think of when I want to picture tranquility in my mind's eye. What can I say, I love the place...... read more
December 13th 2007
Finally, after days of driving (if we ever go again, we'll be flying!), we made it to El Calafate-----a place I had long dreamed of visiting. The town itself is a nice little place with lots of nice restaurants, wine bars, chocolate and ice cream shops and hotels and makes for a comfortable place to spend a few days. Of course, the real reason we came here----as does everyone else----was to see the Perito Moreno Glacier. The glacier does not disappoint. I've been a lot of places and I've seen a lot of things and although I couldn't possibly pick a favorite, I can say I've never seen anything more spectacular in the world than this place. It is difficult to describe the awe that you feel when you lay eyes on this sucker------it literally takes ... read more
Into the Great Wide Open: Driving Argentina
Published: January 7th 2008South America » Argentina » Chubut
December 12th 2007
We had originally planned to drive from Bariloche to El Calafate via the Carretera Austral and Ruta 40 but everywhere we went, when we told people of our plans, everyone looked at us like we were crazy. The rental car people. The border control people. The hosteria people. Finally, we decided to follow everyone's advice and travel from Coyhaique to El Calafate via Rio Mayo and Sarmiento, and along the coastal road Ruta 3 through Comodoro Rivadavia, Caleta Olivia, Tres Cerros, Puerto San Julian, and Rio Gallegos. When I was originally planning this trip, it seems I was unaware of some pretty important info. Like how super-HUGE Argentina really is. And how all the maps I saw in the guidebooks and that I bought in the U.S. seemed to make it seem that all the roads ... read more
A Little Drive Along the Carretera Austral...
Published: January 6th 2008South America » Chile » Aisén » Carretera Austral
December 10th 2007
We arrived on the Carretera Austral via Trevelin, Argentina and Futaleufu. Though we only ended up driving the Carretera for 2 days rather than the originally planned 3 or 4, it was still a high point of our trip. The scenery is stunning and constantly changing and is some of the most beautiful I've seen anywhere on the planet. If you decide to go, I would recommend the suggestions you'll find in all the guidebooks about being well-prepared-----you will be literally in the middle of nowhere on a poorly-surfaced dirt road with few houses and only a few widely spaced towns along the way. Carry water and food and be prepared for anything. It is no problem to drive with a normal compact car (as we did) but make sure the car is in excellent driving ... read more
December 8th 2007
Finally... After more than a year anxiously anticipating a return to the land of tango, beautiful scenery and friendly people, yerba mate, excellent wine and the best beef in the world, we finally return to Argentina-----one of my most favorite places in the entire world... We spent only one night in BA (we had to have parrilla and Malbec!!!) before heading to Bariloche via LAN, picking up a rental car from Taurus (great company to rent from, by the way) and driving to my favorite area in Argentina------- El Bolson, to rest up for our departure the next day for a little drive on the Carretera Austral...... read more
June 4th 2007
Matagalpa (or Mataglaplia if you happen to be my mom) is worth a visit if you're ever in the area. Its a working town up in the hills that is quite tidy and seems to be a bit wealthier than most other places in Nicaragua. Definitely not a tourist destination, we didn't see a single foreigner there...... read more
June 2nd 2007
Selva Negra is a very unique place and well worth a visit. Beware if you have mold allergies, though, as this place is some kinda damp. Everybody but me suffered mightily from the allergic snot-head the whole time we were there. Beautiful place...... read more
May 31st 2007
Leon is a great contrast to Granada. These two cities are similar in size and both have many sights to see but their similarities end there. Leon isn't a tourist town like Granada and we saw few foreigners, beggars or as many signs of obvious poverty. The locals don't take much notice of you----unless its just to nod and give a quiet "hola"----unlike in Granada where it seems that every male under the age of 30 (and some of the females, too) is sizing you up as a potential source of income. Don't get me wrong here; Granada has its merits. But Leon is more real somehow...... read more
Tot: 0.081s; Tpl: 0.003s; cc: 13; qc: 85; dbt: 0.0549s; 1; s:notus w:www (50.28.61.183); sld: 1; ; mem: 1.7mb
