By June of 2020 we have made our way back to Alaska and are beginning to realize the challenges of dealing with the pandemic. A thought that does cross our minds is the what if the borders are closed and we can’t fly to Argentina. That thought is quickly pushed aside as a lot of things can happen before our departure date. So we carry on with keeping a low profile and avoiding most people during the summer of 2020. We start making lists and seeking out more information about what we have committed to do. By mid Sept. we are packed and ready to go south for the winter. The border crossing wasn’t a breeze but eventually we were able to drive thru Canada. We were given strict warnings by the border guard that we would not be able to drive back to AK. unless Covid was more under control.
In October we rendezvous in Utah with Ryan our son and, his partner Beth and Jamie. Jamie and his wife, Julia are friends of Ryan and Beth and they have decided that they are going to sign up for the trip as well. We spend the days doing some canyoneering and hiking. Our evenings are spent discussing our thoughts about the trip.
Slot canyons are the best!
Jamie, Ryan and Beth make it to the summit.
By December we are back in San Diego staying with Ryan and Beth. Our trip is now only a year away! Travel to South America at thist time is not looking good, but we figure that we have time on our side.
We have received our equipment list and begin to do some research of where we might find some of the items. Jamie and Julia are somewhat more organized and it is fun to talk to them about where they are finding some of the more specific items. Our plan is to look for items like muck boots when we return to Alaska. There doesn’t seem to be much of a demand for them in San Diego. We have been able to get some items thru the internet, but sizing is always challenging,
Year 2021 continues as we discover the joys of bike packing and do a long kayaking trip in Alaska. It seems though that a lot of our discussions are focused on the upcoming trip. We have decided to do a 6 day sailing course in San Diego with Ryan and Jeff. The sailing books are sent to us and we take them on our kayaking trip.
Leaning Sailing terminology is like learning a new language.
By mid July we have a zoom call with Daryll Day(the owner of the boat we will be using) and Anita Speier.(the business manager) They answer our questions and give us a heads up that the borders are still closed. We may be allowed into Chile, but we should wait on buying our airline tickets .
We receive an update from Anita in August that Argentina is making progress towards opening there borders. We have our fingers crossed.Then at the end of Sept. we get the email that we have been waiting for. The Argentina border will open Nov. 1st. There will be some regulations concerning Covid, but overall this is very good news.
Now things are moving quickly, Anita sends us the required paperwork early October and we make our lists. This trip is really going to happen, at least all operations are going in the right direction.
We take our sailing course on the mellow waters surrounding San Diego.
At least we know the basics. Don and I are the novice sailors in the group. It was a fun week with our sons. Although both Ryan and Jeff wouldn’t trust me at the helm without an observer!
The month of November and December finds us getting serious about checking off our lists.
The beds and tables become filled with gear that we think we will need.
So many decisions.
I have a challenge when I go to pack my sandals and realize that they have been too close to a heat source.;
Amazon pulls thru and within 24 hours I have a new pair.
Eventually our bags are packed, weighed and ready for departure.
Between the 4 of us we have 6 large duffles, 4 carry ons and 4 back packs. This should be interesting.
Our next big hurdle is getting a negative Covid test in order to get on the plane.We have been feeling pretty good about escaping the virus until we hear that Omicron is rearing its ugly head. From the sounds of it, we are in a hot spot. We have kept our contacts to a minimum and are hoping for the best.
The four of us drive to the testing center, roll down the window and present our noses. It is a good thing we don’t have to have our blood pressure taken. I think that we are all a bit nervous. Now we have a 24 hour wait to learn about the results. By the next day we check our emails more often than usual, waiting for the results. We passed! Within 48 hours we will be on our way to Argentina. The night before our departure we fill out the required paper work to board the flight from Dallas Fort Worth to Buenos Aires.
Can’t say we are going light weight for this trip!
Brett, a friend of Ryan and Beth’s has agreed to take us to the airport. In the morning we load the van and we are off! Ryan advised us to pay extra for more leg room and we are glad that we took his advice. It is Christmas Day and fortunately the airport isn’t packed. We find an area to avoid people and patiently with anticipation wait for the boarding call. Everyone on the plane respects the mask rule, which make a smooth ride to Dallas Fort Worth. There is a 5 hour wait at the airport before we will get to load on the flight to Buenos Aires. Another isolated spot is found and we pass the time waiting for the flight and people watching. Most of the restaurants are closed but after a few scouting trips, we are able to fill up on sandwiches and chips.
Finally we are on the flight that is going to take us to Buenos Aires. We have our temperatures taken and our covid test results checked. We are good to go on the ten hour flight. Needless to say getting comfortable for that length is challenging. We are served a good meal?? and then settle down with an array of movies to keep us entertained. We all seem to have spent some of the flight in a sleeping mode. The sun rises and several hours later the pilot announces the flight’s descent.
Buenos Aires……Here we come