Today feels especially beautiful. The weather is a bit nicer, with no rain in sight, which always makes me feel ready for adventure. It’s 8 a.m., and I’m sipping my coffee while booking flights, sitting in a spacious apartment that we snagged last minute on Booking.com. The man at the front desk told us, “You were looking for silver, and you found gold,” and he wasn’t wrong. After driving quite a bit to make up for lost time, we were relieved to find such a comfortable place for just $30 a night. In Canada, this place would easily cost $150 or more.
Yesterday’s drive was magical. I think it was a mix of several things: the relief that the car repairs didn’t end our trip, the excitement of hitting the road again, the anticipation of seeing Bariloche, and the sheer beauty of Argentina’s changing seasons unfolding before our eyes. We’ve gone from desert landscapes near Mendoza to vibrant autumn leaves around Malargüe, and now we’re moving into cooler temperatures. People have even said we might even see snow!
On the way here, we saw a sign that simply said “Queso.” Emi loves cheese, so of course, we had to stop. It felt like the world was giving us exactly what we needed. We pulled up to this gorgeous farm that sold cheese, cured meats, local wine, and honey. Best of all, there were two adorable puppies and some friendly cats that we got to play with. We grabbed some good wine, cheese, and meats, and were on our way. If you’re ever heading this way, I highly recommend stopping by for one of their wine and cheese tastings!
Below is the coordinates for “Establiciemento Las Vertientes”. Kinda hard to find, but shouldn’t be missed
As we approach the touristy area of “Los Siete Lagos,” prices are starting to rise, but they’re still reasonable. I had initially planned for us to stay at a nearby campsite, but it was closed—probably too cold this time of year. When Emi and I arrived around 7 p.m., we unpacked and explored the property. It wasn’t long before we decided to book another night. The place has a hot tub, sauna, pool, and even a pool table—not bad at all!
I’m reflecting on a few thing now. A year ago, I thought I’d be heading to Jamaica for a good friend’s wedding. Instead, here I am booking budget flights for two to Toronto to buy a camper and truck to live in. It’s a big decision. People often glorify the idea of traveling the world for a living, but the reality is that it can be tough. For the past 15 years, I’ve bounced from one “home” to another between contracts, and Emi’s had a similar experience. To be honest, I haven’t felt like I’ve had a real home since high school. Now, this camper will be our home, and having Emi by my side makes this transition a lot easier and make sense in general, I still can’t believe I found someone as adventurous as I am.
The first few weeks in Canada will be dedicated to finding the right truck and camper. I’ve put together a rough budget based on online prices and the type of truck we need. Two things we’re sure about: we want a wet bath (a fully waterproof bathroom with a shower) and a queen-size bed. Since we’ll be traveling through climates ranging from Miami to Winnipeg, an off-grid AC and heater are also essential—though we can install those later. Most campers with a wet bath weigh around 2,000 lbs, so we’ll need at least a 3/4 ton or 1-ton truck (2500/3500). And so, the search begins!
Switching gears – today is all about fun. We’re planning on biking to a cute tea house, picking up ingredients for a great dinner, and spending the evening enjoying each other’s company in the hot tub and sauna.
Here’s to saying yes to the cool experiences and no to the crappy ones.
L+E