Ramaditas

From the itinerary - October 17, 2024: Hike Yardangs. A circular 4 mile walk where we walk through an area of wetlands until we reach impressive rock formations. We walk around the formations until we reach the petroglyphs. We continue around the wetland back to the car for lunch.

Weather: Sunny, windy and around 70 degrees

The sunrise view was lovely this morning

We could also see flamingos on the lake

Meals were made at an open kitchen and included eggs any style, yogurt, and cereals including toasted quinoa and amaranth

Hebert filled up the car and jerry cans we we prepared for our 90 minute drive to the trail head. There were no roads or gas stations. The area has lithium and borax mining nearby.

Our walk was around a marshy area surrounded by yardangs: sharp irregular ridges of sand lying in the direction of the prevailing wind in exposed desert regions, formed by the wind erosion of adjacent material which is less resistant. I hadn't heard of this word before, but the ridges were quite interesting.

we saw viscacha along the way....

Coots and their nest

We also saw petroglyphs that were between 500-1200 years old

and more yardangs as we made our way around the loop. I noticed my foot getting cold, because my old salomon boots ripped - one less thing to bring home with me.

also of note: Andean geese, A juvenile variegated hawk and Avocets

Coming back to the car we had to cross a very marshy area where we had to walk on patches of green algea. I tried to walk where the vicuña poop was, figuring I wouldn't fall in if they hadn't....

Back at the car for lunch the wind started coming up again. Here is finally a good photo of our 4x4 for the week - a lexus

For lunch we had:

fruit flavored water, pumpkin soup, Fava bean (broad bean) dip, Amaranth salad, Hearts of palm and watercress salad and Llama ham

There was so much space without any fences (and no roads). We saw several dust devils - one looked like it was steam coming from a volcano

Walked around lake and met llamas, including a mamma and her baby

We were joined by a French couple today at the lodge. Tomorrow they are going to Atacama. They never introduced themselves.

Dinner tonight was vegetable soup, pork and fruit for dessert. I forgot to take photos of the rest of the meal:(

Paula, the French couple's guide, demonstrated National Bolivian dress.  She was also from Uyuni City. The rules say if the bowler hat is straight on top of the head and the braids are tied in the back, the woman is married. If the hat is askew and the braids are separate, the woman is available.

Another full moon rise tonight.