Hotel Termas Pismanta
Steve’s Super Sexy Picture!!!
I still need to finish posting the pictures from the Margheim’s visit, but I wanted to show you some of the cool things Steve gets to do while up on the mountain. While up at the telescope in November, Steve got to take a gemini legacy image. These images are basically pretty pictures meant for the public. Since Steve was just the observer he doesn’t get any fame. But we know, and now you know that Steve took the skull nebula picture! It’s available from a link on the main page of the gemini website, or here’s a link to the article itself.
Days 14-17
We decided to drive over the pass onto Argentina for a few days and to stay in Argentina at a thermal spa- Termas Pizmanta. We had a wonderful time even with a flat tire. The pass is Paseo Agua Negra and it’s at about 16,000 feet. The colors going over the Andes were amazing- the mountains were green, orange, purple, yellow. It looked like someone had spilt paint over the mountains. Also towards the top were ice fields and glaciers. We did get a blow out while we were driving down from the pass but in the end, it was a perfect vacation. We stayed a day longer so we could buy a new spare tire. There’s so much to to tell you about, i’ll let the pictures do the talking. These pictures were taken while driving over the pass (on the way to Argentina and back to Chile).
Enjoy!!!!!
Day 13
On Friday, we started our trip to Argentina. Friday we decided to spend the night in Pisco Elqui, a town n the Elqui Valley. We stayed in the Elqui Domos- which are domes that are 2 floored with the bed on the second floor and a living room on the first and the domes are made out of this white type of canvas. The windows and door are plastic and zip off- similar to a tent, and the best part is the roof zips off as well so you can actually sleep under the stars. The Milkyway Galaxy was directly overhead, and it was just amazing. The domes also come equipped with telescopes. Lucky for us, we had an astronomer with us, who gave us some impromptu lessons about the Southern sky. The domes also have decks around them so you can sit outside. During the day on Friday, we explored the area, and ended up going past the domes to this artesian village. Since it was getting late- about 530, not all the shops were open. We ate a late lunch at a wonderful german B&B, and then had wine and cheese and crackers for a late night snack. Speaking of wine, I almost forgot to mention that we stopped at a small vineyard on the way to Pisco Elqui. THe vineyard is Chile’s smallest and highest vineyard. They make about 16,000 bottles of wine a year. We really enjoyed their Moscatel, and each ended up buying a bottle. Enjoy the pics, keep reading to find out about Argentina!!!
Day 12- Beach Day
On Thursday (March 23), we decided to go to the beach and relax in the sun and go fishing. It was looking like it would be a good day, sunny, warm, a little breezy. Not warm enough to go swimming, but not hot either. Unfortunately, at the beach, it was really windy and FREEZING, so Mary Jane and I sat in our chairs fully clothed and read, and Steve and Terry fished for a little bit. We brought Leyna along, who LOVED playing in the sand. She also loved eating the sand. We stayed for a couple of hours and relaxed getting a little sun.
Day 11- The Enchanted Valley
I know, it’s been a week since the Margheim’s left, and I haven’t posted for a long time. I wish I could say I’ve been really busy at work, but no excuses. I’ve been plain lazy. So let me catch you up on the rest of our wonderful visit with Steve’s parents. On Day 11- which was Wed, we went on a nice drive through Ovalle and to the Valle Del Encanto. It’s a park where they have petroglyphs an petrographs from 4000 years ago. The park is similar to a rock climbing park with the rock carvings all over. I expected the carving and paintings to be roped off but they weren’t, we were allowed to climb over them. Steve and I are think of going back and making some etchings. IT was a beautiful day- nice and sunny, and we all had fun rock climbing!!
