March 17
This was a hard 80 km day on fairly good gravel for the first 50 km, but the last 30 was in terrible condition. While I was riding through Alerces National Park a dog had followed me for about 15 km’s. Today a dog joined me in the plaza and ran alongside me for 30 km’s. I was amazed at the endurance of these amazing animals and wonderful companions. At one point after 3 or 4 km’s another dog joined my companion and all 3 of us travelled together.
I finally arrived in a tiny settlement at the famous Carrertera Austral. I was very excited to finally have arrived and to continue the next day.
I got a room in the only hospadaje in town. It was kind of like a boarding house. There were 3 other men staying there all with trucks who left by 8 in the morning off to work. We all ate a communal meal consisting of soup and bread around 9 o’clock.