On a day that Dave had to work Bill and Terrie took a drive up the canyon to a series of town is the "Valle del Elqui"
The Elqui Valley is inland enought to escape the cooling influence of the coast. This makes it an ideal location to grow grapes, especially the varieties that are grown to make a drink called "Pisco".
Pisco is a fermented drink that I believe would be classified as an unfinished Brandy. It is about 35 percent alcohol and is often drunk with lemon in the locally famous drink called "Pisco sour".
Bill had a good time looking at the agricultural things like this tractor and air blast sprayer.
Terrie's interests were a little more refined and artistic. Above is the small catholic church at the center of the small town. Below is the central plaza.
Terrie is always on the lookout for arts and crafts. She found a local vender selling hand-made jewelry and picked up a few christmas presents.
Bill got a laugh at this location. On the top the sign says "Productos Naturales" which of course means natural products. Right next to him is the sign that says "Banos" which means bathroom. We're not sure what types of natural products are available at this location but Bill thought it was worth the time to take a picture.
Below is another example of the types of catholic churches that are built around the central plaza of most small towns in Chile.
Once Bill and Terrie left the final town the road started getting really small. Roads like these go back up into the canyons and eventually dead end at a big huge mountain. As the crow flies they were probably less than 50 kilometers from Argentina. However, making it to the border would have required climing up over 15,000 feet in elevation.
Up in the valleys there is very little precipitation. Many homes have simple thatch roofs.
Below is a typical bus stop. Public busses are the most common form of transportation in small towns in Chile.
Overall Bill and Terrie had a great time exploring and getting to know one of Chile's inner valleys.
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