Where's Punky & Lew now?
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Date: 12-1-2002
Subject: Punky, Lew & Achi 2 Trip report from Rio Gallegos, Argentina
Hi everyone: I had a bad cold that delayed our departure from Caleta Olivia for one day. Achi had it, gave it to me and got well. The ride from Caleta Olivia to Puerto San Julian was not bad. Had good weather, a lonely lightly travelled and paved road and only one negative incident. Critter's exhaust pipe was eating the right edge of the rear tire. Moved the pipe out further and it is fine. The pipe is not original equipment and the tire is a little wider than original. Critter is running fine and not consuming oil. Puerto San Julian was less desireable than Caleta Olivia, except we had an excellent meal in a seaside seafood restaurant. I finally had some decent shrimp. I had been asking Achi in Peru, where is the bigger shrimp? The restaurants served tiny salad shrimps for a dinner plate. Achi was astonished, once again, to find that bigger shrimp are scrumptious. I told her to wait until she gets a taste of lobster. No lobster here. The ride to Rio Gallegos was cold, a little windy and wet the last 1 1/2 hours. Our rain gear did reasonably well protecting us. I've mentioned that Achi catnaps while riding as passenger. Would you believe even in the rain and wind of Patagonia? Punky wouldn't keep his head in his bag and got it wet. More desolate road and scrub desertlike terrain with occasional ponds of water and pink flamingos. Rio Gallegos is a fairly big town, nice and clean. Rooms are costing us around $25-$35 Pesos/night ($8-$11 U.S.). Soccer fans were going bonkers driving all over town waving red flags and honking there horns reveling in there teams victory. Soccer always dominates the news. The economic and political problems come second. Crime and unrest in the streets third. Going to eat Spanish paella and have a bottle of wine now. Ushuaia is 2 days away. We have to cross back into Chile, cross the Straits of Magellan and re-enter Argentina to get to Tierra Del Fuego and Ushuaia. The rain has stopped and the wind blew most of the clouds away. Hope it is clear and not too windy tomorrow. First thing in the morning I will change the oil and clean the filter after about 600 miles since the new piston and rings were installed. Thanks to those who sent greetings and good thoughts to us. Looking forward to reaching the south end of the world and achieving a major goal of this tour. I think a bottle of champagne would be nice to celebrate. Motormark has posted 107 new photos on our website. A special thanks to my friend, Robyn, in Boynton Beach, Florida, who helped me get the bike and gave Punky to me for a Christmas gift 8 years ago. Phil Roddenberry, who helped prepare Critter and me for the tour. Thanks to all those who helped and encouraged me. Punky deserves something very special for enduring all the hard times. Good to hear from Stuart "Fireball" Heaslet. He thinks I should write a book. Unfortunately, I am not inclined to record all the details it takes to do so. Caracas is still a long ways northward. This adventure isn't over yet.
Later, amigos.
Punky, Lew & Achi 2
Americas Motopaseo
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