El Bolsón, or how far you can take a Chevy

Day two of the car rental and I woke up with what I'll call a mild hangover. Had the pleasure of joining some new friends for dinner (thank you to the Raffertys!) at Alto de Fuego (best meal so far and delicious by any standard). After some fantastic wine and a few Pisco sours I felt a little groggy this morning and the pouring rain didn't help much. Nonetheless, got into my trusty rented Chevy and made my way down Routa 40 to El Bolsón. Probably the most beautiful road I've ever driven on and I can say that with some authority, it winds itself in and around some rather spectacular mountains. All the while you have to make sure you don't careen off the side as a much smaller and older cars pass you on the two lane highway. I drive like a grandmother in this country.

El Bolsón is famous for its beer and jams. I tried the second one of that list to great success and ate two of the best empanadas of the trip so far. Then I headed up the mountain that dominates the skyline of the town to the weird and wonderful Bosque Tallado or carved forest. After a harrowing (for my car, not for me) 30 minute drive up the kind dirt road used in range rover ads and a hard 1km hike you arrive at what feels the top of the mountain and are greeted by a forest of bizarre carved figures. It was totally magical and worth the crazy drive. Enjoy the pics, I have a video but that will have to go up at a later date - only so much an iPad can do apparently.

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