January 12, 2009
Left Valapariso with Andy and Martin (from Germany, they have been two weeks in the north and now will ride four weeks in the south). Also heading south is Carl and girl friend Martrira (sic) but they need to stop in Santiago for bike repairs for a day but said they might catch up with us on there way down. Martin had a piece of luggage lost when he came in two weeks ago so we stopped at the airport and tried for an hour and a half to find out something but without any luck.

At a gas stop a guy saw my Washington plate and came over introduced himself. He is from Mount Vernon, WA and came down to Chile ten years ago to farm. Sounded like he had a fairly large operation and offered us use of shop if we needed it to work on the bikes.
There are many beautiful farm fields in this area. Fruit trees and vineyards predominate but also seeing hay, corn and vegetable production. We will push south tomorrow to try to find cooler climate.
Found rooms over a restaurant/bar. The sign says “Residencial”, must mean cheap hotel. Cost 5000 CP per room with shared bano, (about $8.00 US)

January 13, 2009
We rode south with definite change in crops. Saw more cattle the farther south we went, both dairy and beef. There also increased forestry the farther south we went, pine, eucalyptus, some cottonwood. These were all very well managed timber stands with trees planted in lines and neatly pruned.
We ended our day at Pucon, a tourist spot near a mountain that looks much like Mt Saint Helens did before it blew its top off. Andy and Martin want to climb it tomorrow with an outfit that provides all equipment. I thought about it but do not want to risk it with a broken rib. Rib was fine all day but did some work on the bike and it really irritated it every time I tried to bend over or lay on my back. The bracket that hold the boxes apart at the bottom was built to light and when I laid it over it bent in allowing the boxes to rub chain guard on right and brake caliber on left. I re-bent and reinforced it with tie down strap so it should be ok.

Campground at Pucon

January 14
Decided to move on south on my own and told Andy and Martin I would see them in Ushuaia as they planned on another day in Pucon to go white water rafting. gave it some thought but when I checked it was only class 3 rapids and not to sure how well I can run an paddle. Had problems with my camra and it was taking too light of pictures but finally found the switch that got bumped.
On the way south today I was thinking that it looked much like Western Washington, lot of trees and farms. Then I felt right at home when it started raining, first rain I have had in Chile.

Wheat field

Rode to Puerto Montt where I need to decide on a route. Ruto 7 may be closed north of Chaiten due to a volcano eruption and I have not got a clear answer on that. If I ferry to Chileo Island I can take a ferry over to Chaiten from there.

Walked down the water front to fish market with dozens of restaurants trying to get your business. Finally went in to one when they told me I could get a sample of every thing. I had Abolonie, two types of crab, clams, mussels, salmon and another fish.

Me on the waterfront in Puerto Montt with a cup of cafe from McDonalds

Boats in small bay by Prerto Montt

There were many of these small shops selling to tourists on the way to fish market. They had some very high quality goods, clothing, carvings and art type stuff. But one of the benefits of travel by moto is you can't buy anything because there is no room.

I head in to more remote areas starting tomorrow so I do not know when I will be able to upload pictures again, may be a week.