May 20, 2013
“I love our place in the town of Carlos Paz, Argentina. I wondered why Chris had chosen to overshoot Cordoba and stay here first. Now I know why. The views are stunning. We look out to the Sierras. Chris explained it also is a good launch point to see the surrounding area. The view could make me stay longer than we planned. I’ll admit, I am dreading the big city a bit, too. Cordoba can wait.”
We stayed for two weeks (May 15 to June 1) outside of Cordoba in the town of Carlos Paz. This became our launch point for day trips. It would have been easy to stay put, sitting on our deck and drinking wine as we took in the view of the Sierras: a mountain range that goes north/south through central Argentina.
Most mornings we woke to a view reminiscent of the Blue Ridge or Smokey Mountains in the US. We saw rows of ridges disappearing into the fog.
In town there was a wonderful lake that brought hundreds of locals to its shores daily. During the warmer months, it is a popular lake for sailing.
Each day we headed out to some place new. We drove switchbacks over the sierras to vast open land called the Pampas.
We saw an observatory, but did not stop.
We drove the Avenida del Sol, Avenue of the Sun,
and drove through the town of Merlo.
Merlo is at the base of the Sierras
We were definitely off the beaten path; lots of dirt and switchbacks. We were glad to have our vehicle as we were now definitely off-roading; especially when it came to water crossings.
This extensive area looked desolate. Much of the land was covered with old lava flows. What remained was a vista dotted with tall, cracked lava columns and interesting remnants of lava bubbles.
All through the spacious pampas stood stone walls. Some walls were around homes and livestock (sheep).
Others crossed the vast land.
We used our binoculars to watch the giant Condors sail on the mountain currents and to look for their nests.
We bought mustards and drank beer in a town called General Belgrano, a German town known for their beer, brats, and Oktoberfest.
Their Oktoberfest is the 3rd largest in the world after Germany and Brazil. The town is set up for tourists with large beer barrels decorating restaurants and store fronts, polka like music pours out open doors, and people dress in “Bavarian” attire.
Another day, we stopped to eat Raclette in the town of La Cumbrecita, a Swiss-themed town.
The cobblestone road leading to Cumbrecita.
Walking the bridge into Cumbrecita.
You really felt like you were in the Alps with the pine trees, A-frame chalets and a rocky mountain brook running through town. This town was a pedestrian only town. You park at the edge of town then walk or ride into town.
Standing on the bridge looking to your right as you go into town.
The walk was easy and the weather was nice. It was relaxing to wander without worrying about traffic. Even the dogs were laid back.
Eating Raclette
We enjoyed eating German sausages, Swiss fondue, and lake trout.
One day we stopped for lunch at the appropriately named “Dam Lake”.
We paused deciding if we could cross. If you look close you can see the pedestrian bridge on the right. Driving seemed safer.
The true end of the road for us on one day was the town of Villa Alpina. I mentioned it in an earlier post. You cross a river – loved the view – and a short time later came to the end of the road.
As you see, we do occasionally visit touristy places. We prefer it to be off-season, thus avoiding the crowds. Having our car let us see more of the countryside than you would on a bus. We did see hundreds of people carrying backpacks arriving by bus, even to distant locations. You really can get just about everywhere by bus. Our car just enabled us to do more side trips into areas with virtually no inhabitants.