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Day 10: The Patagonia Adventure - Educated
Day 10 of our Patagonia adventure had us in our cozy domes in the EcoCamp. We enjoyed our final day of glamping with amenities and our last hike. Mariana described this last hike as ‘easy peasy’. This described it perfectly. It felt like a cool-down jog after finishing a marathon.
Day 9: The Patagonia Adventure - This is Not a Vacation
We reached the ‘challenge day’. Per our itinerary, this would be our biggest hike with the most miles (14) and elevation (4,500). But it would also give us the most awesome views of the mountain towers. If you Google Patagonia’s Three Towers you will find “Located in Southern Chile, Torres del Paine National Park is a top destination for hikers and climbers in Patagonia.”
Day 8: The Patagonia Adventure - We Will Have to Work for the Photo Opps
Today we reached day 3 of our hike and the last night away from EcoCamp. Waking up to more rain, we were ready to get back to ‘Four Seasons’ and out of tents.
Our first indication that we were going back was Mariana asking for our dinner order. A great meal back at EcoCamp was something to look forward to.
Day 7: The Patagonia Adventure - So People Actually Like This?
The first day of March brought us groggily out of our tents, except for The first day of March brought us groggily out of our tents, except for Jeffrey who showed up chipper and on time. Youth is wonderful for a hangover. He was also likely the only one who slept (passed out) through the night.
As our party of four convened in the lodge, one of us commented “Well that was awful.”
Day 6: The Patagonia Adventure - When We Get Back to the Four Seasons
We awoke for our first big hike to no rain. Still dark with our early start, we all took our turns in the communal bathrooms for teeth brushing and bladder emptying. With no waiting for the showers or applying makeup, we gathered quickly for our breakfast pre-hike meet-up.
Day 5: The Patagonia Adventure - The Weather Apps are Inaccurate Here
Monday morning welcomed us with sunshine. Tom and Garrett continued to check their weather apps with an outlook of a wet week. We collectively remained optimistic enjoying the blue skies.
Day 4: The Patagonia Adventure - Great Expectations
Our last day in Punta Arenas brought us our first planned excursion. We were to travel by boat to Magdalena Island to see the largest penguin population (60,000) in South America. This nature sanctuary on Isla Magdalena is a small island located in the middle of the Strait of Magellan.
Day 3: The Patagonia Adventure - Life Without Cell Data
Lock em up!
After a bit of searching while getting their morning steps in, Kristi and Tom found the Punta Arenas police station. This visit was a necessary step to secure the required immigration papers they would need to leave the country.
Day 2: The Patagonia Adventure - This Isn’t a Cute Vacation
“Sandy, this is not a cute vacation” was the text I received from Kristi a few days out from our trip to South America. We were comparing packing notes. Once we got through our hiking checklist, we were finding our suitcase space limited and were trying to whittle down to the necessities.
Day 1: The Patagonia Adventure - Did You Get Out of Durango?
When is your Patagonia trip?”
This is a question we have been asked for a while. Two years in the making, it was planned with our adventurer friends, Tom and Kristi Reimers, and originally slated for February 2022
Garrett, What’s a Hike?
One of Garrett’s favorite stories to tease me with was my (purported) question to him “Garrett, what’s a hike?”
That is his recollection. Mine is a bit different. I remember asking “Garrett, what kind of a hike are we going on?”
What are the Chances?
“How is Kent your cousin?”
This was a question that came to me via Facebook Messenger from my friend, Julie. She and I went to college together. She and Kent grew up together.
Red Boots are Universal
“I love your boots”
This is a comment I had grown used to hearing since the purchase of my red cowboy boots in 2005. I hear it from friends, strangers, and comments on social media posts when wearing them.
I am the Stepmom
“Hi. I’m Sandy. I’m the Stepmom.”
I found myself saying this repeatedly at my stepson’s college parents’ weekend. My husband, Garrett’s son, Jake, is a sophomore at Oregon State and a fraternity brother at Pi Kappa Phi. Jake’s freshman year Garrett went to Parents’ Weekend solo. This year I tagged along, enjoying my role as the invited stepmom.
Big Bird Revival
The setting was 1979 rural Iowa in the heart of a cold Midwest winter. I was twelve years old, a 7th Grader at Remsen St. Mary's grade school. Our family lived an idyllic 70s life in small-town America. Dad was our town barber. Mom was a homemaker, tending to every need of my family. Although a master of all household duties, her proudest role was that of our chief seamstress.
You Can Never Go Home
I went home last October.
My hometown is Remsen, Iowa. A small town nestled in the rural midwest with a current population of 1,650. It had been years since I had been back. I was excited to make the trip for the town’s annual Oktoberfest, an event that draws thousands to the little Luxembourg of Iowa.
Family
Reunions.
Reuniting. Being there. For each other. With each other.
That was the tagline for my three sons this past week. A roller coaster of a week that started with their Grandpa Russ Lane being put into hospice care and then ending with them flying back for his Omaha funeral. In the days in between, the Lane brothers (Zach, Ben, Grant) took planes, trains, and automobiles cross country to attend my family reunion in Arizona.
Are You Going to Silverton?
“Are you going to Silverton tomorrow?”
This was a text I received from my neighbor, Mel, on Friday morning while I was sweating through an on-line workout. The message popped up on my computer as I was intently watching my virtual instructor. Although my focus was intact, my curiosity was peaked.
What was going on in Silverton? There was nothing on my calendar for the weekend. Did I miss something in the paper?
Who Has a Kegger on Christmas Eve?
Garrett and I spent this last Christmas in Kingman, Arizona with my parents and brother. With our own adult-age children scattered across the country, our empty-nesting Christmases come in all varieties these days. This year brought us to my parents’ home with me being back to being the kid in the family equation.
