Monday, June 30, 2008

The Road to Salta - Part 9

Sunday 15th Monday 16th

We set off late to allow time for the sun to gain strength after a freezing night shivering for warmth. Well freezing for Dani and I. Michael, camped atop the coals of last night´s fire complains of being too warm in his tent, until we silence him with hostile stares....

A day of miles... endless tarmac.... pedals tick tock in time.



We pass buildings straight out of a Star Wars set in Santa Maria...



Time and mile pass... tick tock...



We descend. Trees absent at higher altitudes return to the landscape. The night is still freezing; so for warmth, we burn some of them.

Monday - We ride into Cafayate, another wine town at the entrance to stunning canyon country. We collect bottles from roadside artisans to fortify us against the cold of the coming night. Try before you buy reveals more sherry than wine and inner warmth at least for tonight is assured.



The road meanders sinuously....



Past awesome Martian rockscape... with names such as "Devil´s throat", "The Obelisk", "The Amphitheatre" and "The Toad"



At camp we witness a moonrise as the earth burns gold...



Climbing a small escarpment the river blazes crimson, as warmth and light drain from the day....



I descend and drain crimson warmth from a bottle of the strong stuff.... It´s another late night around the camp fire.

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