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Written by Jen Sotolongo
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Home » Adventure » Route Plan Announcement – Leg Two: South America

Route Plan Announcement – Leg Two: South America

January 6, 20162 min read8 comments

Route Announcement: Patagonia to PortlandIf you follow us on social media, then you probably already know the news – the Long Haul Trekkers are headed to South America!

As our European adventure began to wind down, we discussed our options to either stay in Europe, end our cycle tour, or venture on to another continent. Since I taught English in Chile several years ago and Dave wants to learn Spanish, South America seemed like a great fit.

Plus, we love mountains and nature and we know South America won’t disappoint.

Cuernos del Paine from Lake Pehoé

Cuernos del Paine from Lake Pehoé. Photo by Miguel Vieira.

On 7 January, we leave from Athens and fly to Buenos Aires where we will stay for a few days before getting on another plane to Ushuaia in Argentina. From there, we will begin to make our way back home to Portland, Oregon.

We’re already well aware that we’re heading into the famous winds of Patagonia, but Sweden prepared us for wind, right?

We have no solid route plans, but have aspirations to cycle some or all of the following epic routes…

…and these countries:

Argentina • Chile • Bolivia • Peru • Ecuador  • Colombia • Panama • Costa Rica •                                        Nicaragua • El Salvador • Honduras • Guatemala • Belize • Mexico • United States

Have you cycle toured in South and Central America? If so, where did you travel and what tips do you have for us?

 

About the author
Jen Sotolongo

Jen is the Chief Storyteller and Photographer for the Long Haul Trekkers. Born with the travel bug, she has lived in Spain, Chile, and New Zealand. When she’s not galavanting around the world by bicycle, she is running long distances in the woods, exploring nature, or whipping up delicious vegan meals. She is always planning her next adventure.

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8 comments

Taking advantage of the shade for a snack break. . When Laila gets hangry, we call her the "vacuum cleaner." She sweeps the ground for any and all crumbs and things that might even possibly be digestible (or not). Does your dog get hangry? . #sponsored by @zukespets #ZukesPack #LetsGoZukes #LiveLifeOffLeash
Counting down the days (months? 😣) till this little Terremoto can run with us. . This has been the most difficult part for us in having a puppy—that she can't join us on runs or long hikes. This is the activity we do most and now we can't. I say we because I'm getting to run ebcasue I have this race, while Dave hikes with Sora and La Loca so I can get my run in. I prefer to run solo, but I miss running " together" (Dave isn't allowed to talk much during our runs 🤣) and I know it's unfair that he has to spend so much time waiting for me.to finish a five-hour run. I am SUPER grateful for his dog sitting services. It'll all be different when she can finally cover some miles with us. . Walks don't do anything to release her energy. Sometimes hiking does if we can go somewhere she can be off-leash and run, or playing with other dogs will tire her out. But running, I know that'll exhaust her. It has to, right? . When did you start running/hiking longer distances with your puppies? . Laila hasnt grown all that much since we got her, so we're thinking she'll stay about her current size (10.5 kg). She's almost 8 months and we run almost entirely on trail. #tellmeitssoon
I don't take for granted that Sora is still here with us. I feel so much gratitude every single day that even after four rounds of cancer and 13.5 years on this Earth that she can accompany us on hikes, road trips, snuggle in bed, steal my yoga mat, learn new tricks, and give me lots and lots of kisses. . Sometimes, I think of others who have succumbed to cancer or other ails and I think about how unfair it is, that I still get to hold her while they are grasping to memories. . When your pet is diagnosed with cancer, you have no choice to think about that awful day that will one day come. You think about it every day. And while the thought often brings tears to my eyes, as I quickly try to divert my thoughts, most of the time, I use the knowledge to make the most of every single second we have together. Because I've been gifted this time with her and I won't let my fear of the future interfere with the experiences we can create today.
E A R S ! . And that's all I have to say about that! . 📷 by @shoepreeyo
Today is #worldemojiday! So let's have some fun, shall we? . Tell me your weekend plans in emoji. (I know, I'm sorry that it's only Tuesday and I'm making you think about the far away weekend already). . Our weekend looks something like this: 🚗💁‍♀️🐕🐶🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🌄
We're heat wimps. Well, at least I am. I grew up in the Pacific Northwest where anything over 85 is a heatwave and we suffer through a couple weeks above 90 and call it good for the year. . Granada is a different story. It's always well above 90 in the summer, often reaching 100s. We're trapped inside most days, because it's just too hot. The stores are all closed for extended "summer siestas." . It's forced us to navigate heat more than we've ever had to with the pups. I wrote a blog post about how to keep your dog cool in the heat today, if you'd like to take a read. How do you keep your dog cool in hot weather?
The reason Dave is holding Laila? Check out my stories to see why. Here's a hint: 🐮 . We visited site of my upcoming 48k trail race in September so I could get a taste for the course. . In addition to being insanely beautiful (swipe through to see some of the photos), it kicked my ass. . My last several races haven't gone so well and I've been really dedicated to my training for this one, but I just wasn't prepared for the elevation gain and hills. It left me choking for air and draining my confidence. I'm seriously worried that I won't make the cut off times. . That said, I found myself smiling even after several grueling hours lunging over rocks, lowering myself down boulders, and climbing toward the sky. . I still have plenty of time to build my vertical strength before the race and will just give it all I've got! How do you boost your confidence when you feel like you can't do something?
Wild camping in Spain is a little tricky. It's not really allowed and "camping" here (and in a lot of Europe) means staying at what we call "Mickey Mouse Resorts" where you pay $$$$ to pitch your tent on some grass or dirt amidst all the RVs and hoardes of people. You pay per person, per dog, per car, per tent. Not really our thing. . So we were pretty stoked to find this free camping spot next to a reservoir. . Our evening took a bit of a turn when we heard a crying sound coming from beneath a car. A friendly black kitten popped out and we learned from a server at the marina restaurant that her mother had been killed and likely her brother, too. 😡 . I offered her water, which she drank for 30 minutes straight. Poor thing was so thirsty. We found a rescue 30 minutes away in the next city that would help her and fashioned a cardboard box with holes to transport her and protect her from a highly excited Laila. Check out my stories to see snippets from the rescue mission! . #sponsored by @zukespets #ZukesPack #LetsGoZukes #LiveLifeOffLeash
This is what a happy heart looks like. 💙