Travel in Chile: Torres del Paine

God has given us a perfect playground. Yours might be a well-kept landscape with a garden and pool. Or overgrown plants and a trampoline.

This was mine in February. Southern Chile, Patagonia: Torres del Paine.

In 2005, I missed seeing the famous Torres (towers) because of a wild fire started by a Czech Republic guy. Evacuated form the park, my friends and I didn't get to complete the "W" route. 

It's one of the last wild places on Earth and so immense and comforting, you feel small. And you feel special that you get to share that space with people from all around the world that come and trek, take photos and brave the extreme weather.

The wind is strong and the sun is just as powerful. Even though Antarctica is close, the summer sun gave me cherry-kissed skin and dried out lips. The clouds look ominous but they stayed up in the mountains. We didn't have any rain!

Where's Waldo...or Mr. Mike? 

We drove through a section of Torres del Paine for 1 whole day. There are trekkers that will do 4 - 10 day camping trips. I recommend that. If you are going to Torres, you go to camp, hike and live off of pasta, apples and granola bars for a week. 

We rented a car in Puerto Natales (not cheap) and drove to the park. Our B&B host, Rodrigo, recommended we start at the south end and drive through the circuit that way because it is opposite the tour buses. These 30-50 people buses that stop to take photos and walk for a bit. Thank goodness we listened to Rodrigo! We spent about 7 hours total in the car that day - from door-to-door. 

What's the route? Waterfall to turquoise lake to waterfall to wildlife hangouts to waterfall.

Dad was a Boy Scout as a kid in small-town Michigan. His skills were tested. Wind-resistance strength. Hearing waterfalls and sensing a shift in wind. Even reading water patterns to guess the distance of a waterfall. Mom's contribution? She's the #1 fan of the campaign, "Hungry? Why wait? Have a Snickers." We had enough Snickers for 3 meals. And she's a fan of double-taking photos. Gotta use her own camera. She doesn't know about iCloud yet...

The massifs are massive. You just don't know until you are there. So, go. Book a trip to the end of the world (or close enough). The energy, air and wind are so pure. Water flows with mystical powers and the wind will blow you 5 meters forward. 

My parents had a blast. My Dad has a fake hip and he was cruising on our small treks. Mom's at the gym almost every day and Dad got a kick out of keeping a brisk pace on our nature walks. 

Patagonia. More than a fancy clothing brand. It is an actual place that has challenging peaks, waterfalls and a harmonizing, peaceful yet powerful force. Just bring a Snickers for your trek, or long drive.