Road Trip North - Part 2

The next morning came sunny and cool.  We all slept really well and enjoyed the plentiful breakfast at the Hacienda Los Andes before heading out.  

Beautiful morning view at the Hacienda Los Andes

The main hacienda building

One of the short hikes mimics the distances of the solar system.  I got as far as these three planets.

One of the icons at the Hacienda

A good view of where we star gazed the night before

Our first stop was very close by - the Urania Alpaca Farm.  This beautiful place raises (with love) alpacas from which they get the fiber and have it spun, dyed and knit into high quality, unique items. The owner, Claudio, who was a film maker previously, showed us the entire farm, explained how the alpacas live, and discussed the ranching and wool processing process.  It was fascinating and fun. The owner really enjoyed sharing his passion and activities because there are very few visitors in the remote Hurtado Valley.   Unfortunately his wife was out because she is also very involved especially with the knitting and wool processing and could have told us more.  We ended up by purchasing some of the items - expensive, yes.  Worth it, yes!  Claudio promised us another tour with a lunch by the river next time we visit - looking forward to that.

The interesting family home and display center at Urania Alpaca Farm

Ash and Rachel enjoy the friendly and beautiful dog

The outdoor oven for bread (and pizza?)

Another view of this beautiful herding dog

One of the adorable alpacas - this one a female - they are kept separate from the males

Another lady alpaca

We got to let the lady alpacas out to their pasture  (the males will go out in the afternoon).  The alpacas were so happy to reach their pasture and enjoy the fresh air and green grass

A big baby still drinks from its mother

The colors of the alpacas varied a lot

The river, Rio Hurtado, which runs along the alpaca farm property

One of the male alpacas - a breeding male

My, what big teeth you have!

Claudio showed so much knowledge of his animals, and love and care for them.

Inside the house/showroom.  Claudio and his wife constructed much of the house themselves.

A painting on the living room wall

Ash tries on a memorable hat of alpaca - alas, we did not buy this one - too much of a fashion statement.  We bought a sweater, gloves, a hat (of normal design) and a set of long underwear.

The alpacas grazing in this paradise

Happy cats and doggy

Cute kitties

Another view of the farm cats

At the farm - Randy, Rachel, Ash and Claudio

They grow oranges too!

Mauricio at his alpaca farm - he has a lot to be proud of

We drove to Horcon (the last village to the east) from the alpaca farm to the end of the road before turning back to Ovalle and civilization.  This is a view of Hacienda Los Andes from the road (which is gravel and dirt)

The Andes near Horcon

Hacienda Los Andes in the distance, taken from the road near Horcon

Another view of Hacienda Los Andes - lodge at the lower right and star gazing facilities in the middle

Rio Hurtado

Another view of this mountain river - must be cold water

One of the wild parrots along the road side on the way back to Ovalle

We arrived back in Ovalle in time for lunch and ice cream.  Ovalle is not the most beautiful city but interesting enough.  It is the capital of the Limari province and an agricultural center.

A street scene in Ovalle - the walking shopping street

Randy enjoys his "Completos" - the stuffed hot dogs of Chile

My pizza was not so wonderful but we were hungry and it sufficed

Our lunch spot - we had trouble finding a suitable place but this one was fine

The gang enjoys ice cream deliciousness

Our dessert spot

We visited the local museum to see the pottery of the native peoples, the Diaguitas.  A painting class was ongoing when we were there and they were happy to see us, the foreign visitors.  Not many international people venture to Ovalle. We also went to the well known produce market but it was closing for the day.

A friendly local took our photo in front of the local museum

The museum is small but free and well presented

One of the Diaguitas pieces

Another interesting piece

The museum focuses on the native peoples of the region - the Diaguitas

A local at the painting class with her masterpiece - very nice indeed

A young artist with her painting

We pressed on to our lodging for the night - the Hacienda Santa Cristina.  Along the way, on a back road, we witnessed a local parade.

The pretty grape vines post harvesting in the Ovalle valley

A local parade that we randomly stumbled into

One of the floats with the exuberant participants

Adorable school children loved getting their photo taken