Volcan Osorno

We drove on about thirty minutes beyond the waterfalls to reach the base of Volcano Osorno. The elevation at the top is 8,701 feet (2,652 meters) and it's well known for it's "perfect volcano shape" and conical top(which is a bit difficult to see here because of the clouds). Osorno last erupted in 1869.

The trek started out incredibly windy and rainy. I was thinking to myself okay we are planning to hike for four hours, but in this???

We definitely didn't have the gear, the guides or the time to climb all the way to the top. But the hiking trails took us through some beautiful scenery. 

If you look closely you can see the steam rising off the path.

But soon it cleared up. As the Lake Region weather is known to do - the rains come and go as does the sun.

The whole afternoon was back and forth rain storm then shining sun. Just when you are almost dried out the rain would come back. But we didn't let it deter us one bit.

Who do you think won this one? 

(I'm trying to get Henry to teach me how to compile the stop motion video and upload it.. so you'll have to wait 'till then to find out)

Here's looking back up at the volcano from the lake. 

We didn't get too much specific information about the volcano and surrounding areas on our hike but my guess is that these wide dug out paths are to serve as a method to direct the lava in the event of an eruption. Some of the ones we walked through along the hike seemed more natural, possibly from previous eruptions and/or erosion and others like this one appear more man made. 

Keep calm Osorno and carry on. 

Saltos de Petrohué

On our way to hike around  Volcano Osorno we stopped at Saltos de Petrohué. A series of waterfalls along the Petrohué river that were formed by basaltic lava from Volcano Osorno. 

 The rocks are seemingly perfect, rounded and polished. This is caused by lahars, a volcanic mudflow of sand and silt that is carried downstream when the volcano is more active.

It was a bit drizzly at first but it didn't keep us from enjoying the spectacle.

I fell in love with the incredible flora of the damp forest.

So those were the saltos. Next we headed to Volcan Osorno. Stay tuned!

Puerto Varas

Puerto Varas is an adorable city located in Los Lagos Region (the lakes region) of Southern Chile. It sits on Lake Llanquihue which happens to be one of the largest natural lakes in South America.  (It was a bit cloudy so we couldn't see the top of the volcano when we first arrived)

Our plane landed just south in Puerto Montt where we picked up our rental car and drove half an hour north to laid back Puerto Varas. It was a tad rainy when we first landed but we didn´t care. We were surrounded by a stunning landscape.

The skys cleared up once we headed into town. Thankfully! (Sorry for the overexposure - technical difficulties)

The city is known for its german traditions and culture. Axel didn´t know he would be leaving Germany to visit a german city in Chile. 

This is the famous Puerto Varas Church. The architecture in Puerto Varas has a strong German influence thanks to some of the original settlers who immigrated here in 1848. It looked nice from a distance but it didn´t turn out to be the same in appearance of quality and material choice once you got up close. Axel told us the style is similar but the corrugated metal is not the siding of choice in Germany. 

We found many other beautiful buildings throughout town. We  preferred the wood shingles.

Corner porch? Yes please!

We crossed the tracks and headed up the hill which looks out over the lake. It turned out to be a beautiful first day.

We ended the day with a few artisan beers. This just happens to be my new fav - Szot Amber. 

And still learning how to work the new camera. Our Christmas gift to ourselves - We absolutely love it!