Mendoza

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Now, one would think that with all of the cheap, wonderful wine that is consumed around buenos aires and the surrounding region...the stuff flowed from the foothills. well, it's just not so. The Mendoza wine region that is so popular for its unique Malbecs is actually across the country and sitting close to the border with Chile. With Argentine being the 8th largest country in the world...we had to figure out how we would cover the distance. The 18 hour bus ride overland would have worked out fine but we were blessed with a rare treat...a super cheap flight. We arrived in Santiago, Chile and after some careful decision making, grabbed a minibus over the Andes mountain which took 5 hours. It's amazing these little contraptions can carry 8 or so car-sick occupants up and down this steep terrain. The dizzying cutbacks and hills were only trumped by the numerous checkpoints and border stops that seemingly halted our progression every half-hour. The andes mountains were made up of sheer cliffs rising straight up from the floor of canyons and river beds, reaching up to the gorgeous glaciers that survived the desert like summers year after year. The descent to lower elevations brought vast vineyards and farmland, finally ending in the small town of historic mendoza. we checked into a hostel the first night that initially sounded like a great deal, only to find out that we were charged for anything and everything...a towel...extra, a/c...extra, it took few math skills to realize that a normal hotel would cost just a little more...and we did just that. the next day, we set out on our wine tour by bicycle...really, what can I say? 9 hours, 8 vineyards, a chocolate and liqu0r shop, 2 english chaps from across the pond to keep pace, and well...we were praying for training wheels on those bikes by the end. The setting sun over the vineyards, the

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Comments

[Dana]

Can you ski on those glaciers? You should have! Why didn't you stay longer, this place looks awesome! dana

[Ken and Tonya]

Now this looks like our speed. Wine and nice weather!!

[Joe]

Beautiful sights, great wine and biking in the sun. Fun, fun, fun.

[Dad]

Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday beautiful pictures it looks so fun. we love you Love, Dad

[Troy - Shanes Bro]

Aspirin anyone?
Now having spent some time down here in Buenos Aires and trying some of the savory Mendoza Cabs and very fine Argentine beef, I envy you even more for spending the time you have down here. I was spending time looking out the window at 41 thousand feet thinking of you and how you were getting such a better view. I can see spending some time down here in the future with the family. Hopefully you'll come and be our tour guide. Love you bro!