From foggy La Serena to the driest desert on the planet we spent Wednesday on the highway.
It began with a canine stroll and ended with a canine stroll, with a couple of in between.
We free camped in a quarry off the PanAmerican Freeway, had ramen for dinner and handed out. 10 hours on the highway will do this to you.
We received to inside 120 miles of Antofagasta the place we search a Bolivian visa on the consulate. We impose a visa on Bolivians so American vacationers need to have a visa for Bolivia. Identical story for Brazil.
The chilly pacific marine inversion was heavy. It’s the identical because the US west coast the place chilly ocean air rolls up in opposition to hotter inland air and produces low mendacity cloudiness.
And right here now we have the identical rocky coast with Pacific rollers crashing within the rocky shoreline.
Top of the range pavement all the best way permitting us to cruise at 60 miles an hour. Besides on the hilly bits the place I don’t push GANNET2.
The freeway seems very European in its signage
Vacationer indicators in brown and the basic European exit countdown exhibiting 200 meters to the subsequent exit.
Emergency telephones with pull outs. All very reassuring.
Public artwork. It seems like kelp to me however I don’t know what it’s. It’s memorable as I keep in mind seeing it on our means south final November.
Truck stops and relaxation areas.
Many have free or low value (75 cent) sizzling showers for women and men with an attendant to maintain the showers clear. There may be additionally an ambulance on stand by at many truck stops prepared to answer automobile accidents. Chile may be very organized and I like it.
Heavy truck visitors up and down Freeway 5, the PanAmerican.
The Atacama Desert, the driest place on earth.
Properly landscaped fuel stations, additionally with free showers, comfort shops and quick meals eating places. And the cleanest bogs you’ve seen at a fuel station. Journey right here is straightforward and civilized. It’s not what you consider once you consider Latin American chaos and coloration.
Plenty of in a single day parking and fully protected in case you are nervous. We desire wild tenting however you may keep right here in a single day no issues.
We’re going to come again to this space if fascinating black volcanic rock subsequent yr, after the summer season journey season ends and wild tenting on the coast right here.
The issue with Totoralillo is it’s on the highway to different locations however this space is riddled with tracks by the rocks with a whole lot of locations to park inside listening to of the waves crashing on shore and it’s value a cease. We’ll subsequent yr I maintain promising myself.
After which the inland driest of the dry locations.
Protecting Rusty hydrated he will get water each cease.
iOverlander led us to a quarry off Freeway 5 overlooking the desert.
We arrived simply earlier than darkish, snapped a few photos whereas Rusty stretched his legs.
And we slept within the darkest night time below essentially the most sensible stars with occasional vans rumbling by within the freeway beneath.
It was an extended day. Antofagasta is subsequent. And paperwork. Oh pleasure.