Tuesday, October 24, 2023

We left Buenos Aires on October 23, Monday, flying to El Calafate, Argentina, the gateway to Patagonia’s National Capital of the Glaciers. We drove to an outlook over the high plains of the Andes and caught sight of many birds. I never would have thought that flamingos would appear in the Andes. But there they were! Ibis, black and white swans, and Andean geese abound here as well. It is cool to cold here with brisk winds. Being spring, the trees and flowers are budded out and flowering. Our group settled in at our mountain retreat and shared a wonderful evening meal together. I ordered the mountain trout and Kathy ordered the lamb stew. Both were great selections.

The next morning we left for the National Park of the Glaciers. The drive was phenomenal. First, we drove alongside the powder blue Lake Argentina, the largest in Argentina. In front of the lake were highland plains with bush vegetation, some flowering out with yellow blossoms and various grasses waving in the wind. Across the lake were the Andes, snow-covered and looming higher and higher as we went along.

As we ascended, the plains turned into forests with pine and other native trees. Streams flowed down the side of the hills fueled by the snow above. After about 15 miles, we were zig-zagging upward into the Andes. As we approached the glacier Perito Moreno, the sights were amazing as the ice field with great expanse lay out before us. The ice field was nestled between high mountain peaks. On one mountain, a waterfall cascaded downward. Kathy and I had opted for a small boat to take us close to the glacier where it flowed into a huge river bay. We were happy that we had. The boat pulled so close that the blue of the ice was almost overwhelming. Kathy saw one calving of the ice into the water. Andean condors flew overhead. The boat turned parallel to the glacier and very slowly moved along the three mile wall of ice which is 560 feet thick. It was simply astounding! Vivid blues shown brightly and reflected on the clear white ice. Our national park guide told us there is no pollution in water or air in Patagonia. Thankfully, when I dangled Kathy over the side of the boat to scoop up some glacial ice, I didn’t drop her–so there is still no pollution.

Once off the boat, we bused up to an area above the glacier in the mountains and hiked on a wonderful metal walkway on stilts that took us to fabulous lookouts above the glacier. This day has left indelible memories in the mind. God’s handiwork leaves one humble to see such beauty.