are they trying to get stuck?

Hi mom-
Thanks for writing. We bought our tickets outa here today, and we wil leave tomorrow. We went on a great ride today and saw penguins. The best part of the trip was the road getting there. It was 7 miles of muddy dirt, dodging oxen, horses, carts, dogs and cows. There was one real steep part where 3 cars were struggling (it looked like they were trying to get stuck) It was a windy uphill covered in mud. Good ol´bee took it like a champ, with nary a wiggle. It was great. We both got awesome adreniline rushes. Val hind-end is still puckered up!

The bike has proven to be capable of taking on whatever chile has thrown at it. The penguins were really cute, but small. I want to see the emperor penguins in Antartica. We even got to ride Bee on the beach! how many mid life crisis guys in the bay area have done that on their beemers?

yesterday we rode to Quellon in southern chiloe. There was nothing but drunks there! the streets were full of merry men dancing and gambling. I wanted to stay and join in the merryment, but val was not game. We went home soon thereafter.

Tomorrow night we cross to Chatien (see map again) We get there late. We met some gringos @ the ticket office that are heading the smae way (although not on big bee´s) We have gotten to know Chiloe very intimately over the past five(!) days. We are READY for the next leg of our trip.

HAPPY B-DAY MEGAN! THANKS FOR TAKING CARE OF THE CABIN!!! A&V

p.s. i know it sounds a bit rough but don't any one worry! we are wearing fantastic riding and protective gear, and when the going gets rough we're going pretty darn slow :)