back in the USA

I returned to the US a few days ago. It was actually an unexpectedly early return. There was a death in my family and I needed to finagle a quick flight back. The woman at the far end of the phone line told me it would be $4000 to change my flight. This was the fee to get onto a flight with plenty of open space. She said I could take it or leave it. Thanks lady,big help. I took the chance and flew out of the Argentine Andes to Santiago, the location of my departure flight. The kind Chilean flight rep took pity on my situation and changed my flight without even charging the change fee. I offered him a hug for his help and told him that the vicious call center lady should take a lesson. I arrived in NY after about 24 hours of travel to join my family. I am now sitting in NJ wrapping gifts, relaxing and filling out job applications.

I feel somewhat rushed to get a job now that I am back in the US. I will do my best to shirk that desire for at least the following six months. However there are some very tasty opportunities arising. I imagine if landed one of these I would dive right in eventhough this goes directly against the siren song of the mountains. I can here the wind whispering my name and the call of the road. Besides I bought this snowboard with the intent of spending the winter in the Rockies and I am very curious about Colorado. In fact I am hoping to return from England, kick it in NYC with some friends for a few days, and then buy a car and drive to Denver. It would be a darn shame not to sink into to some fresh champagne powder and ride the winter away.

Time will play out these fantasies and for now the house in filled with the scents and sounds of Christmas. So while I can, I will enjoy my family and the delicious Christmas treats that abound.

Patagonia

I have been on the road for about two and a half weeks now and have not slept for more than one night in a singular spot. It is time for a break to unwind, put my feet up, and relax. This should happen in a few days and I am prepping to depart for the mountains once again.

I have seen some of earth´s most incredible gifts. Tall sleek granite spires, icebergs hundred of feet deep bristling and breaking dropping off into rivers and lakes, forests slung with vines, valleys formed by millenia of natural turbulence, and the rushing rivers of Patagonia. I have unexpectedly trekked through freezing temperatures, snow, ice, wind and rain. I have been to the end of the earth and hiked though mountains to glaciers and slept alopng side turquiose galcial lakes and rivers lined white enormous white rocks.

Today will mark the final trip for trekking. It will be short two day 20K trek into the mountains of Argentina´s lake distit. It was suppose to be longer but I have been advised that many of the mountain passes are blocked by snow or have high risks of avalance.