Left our quiet camp beside the road and headed for parque provincial
Copahue. Lots of water in rivers and hand dug channels but otherwise
very dry region. Got stopped at a road block by 3 police men. Very
friendly, only wanted to look at EC’s papers and then we were on
our way. Second stop in two days…
The waterfall just
inside the parque boundary was neat, a 60m drop into a big pool all
edged in orange, very effective. The vulcanites are colored by the
action of the acidic water which generates iron oxides and
hydroxides. The river banks for the last few hours have been this
lovely orange color.
Copahue a town with
the termals in the middle was very touristy and we just drove around
and back out. Just before the ski town of Coviahue we stopped on the
edge of a lake for a cooked lunch of stir fried pork.
Had a look in the
ski town and got an edge connection. Finally got through to Rodrigo
about our service and it has been bought forward to Thursday, so lots
of fruit to eat before the crossing. Chile customs will take all
fresh fruit and vegies, uncooked meat and eggs. So a bit of cooking
to do.
Camped just above the river on a side track. Just as we entered the track we saw two coppers with bikes chatting in the shade. They didn’t seem to mind us. We pulled off the track onto the sand for the night.
270km