52 miles, 2041 feet of climb, 1434 ft max
The free breakfast at most lodgings in Chile typically consists of a couple pieces
of toast or bread with jam and a cup of instant coffee or tea. At La Torre Suiza
you get all-you-can-eat muesli, thick slices of dense bread with jam, yogurt,
several kinds of fruit, and coffee or tea with actual milk.
Many of the guests are European tourists. I had a nice conversation at breakfast
with an English couple about food, politics, teaching English as a second language,
etc. You sure can have a more sophisticated conversation in your native language
than in one you are trying to learn.
I have seen a lot of property for sale. How much would you pay for a parcel here
overlooking the lake and volcano? (I didn't check out prices.)
The ride today was on a good paved road south to Lake Calafquén and then east along
the north shore. After passing through Coñaripe the road becomes unpaved as you
head back west along the south shore, but the surface is smooth and well-packed so
it's fine for riding on a road bike. Despite a few hills it was a fairly easy ride
with lots of beautiful scenery. The weather was drizzling or threatening all day.
So much for the weather report's "partly cloudy".
The little rooming house I'm staying in tonight has a computer in the living room
that guests can use so I was able to check my email. As I typed I could hear Mom
in the kitchen washing dishes. The son, maybe 12 years old, seems to be a major
contributor to the enterprise. For example, he's the one who lit the water heater
so I could take my shower.