Day 9
February 13, 2014
It was a crystal clear day. This is an enormous statue, a monument to Martín Miguel de Güemes. He came from a wealthy family in Salta. He was a central figure on the Argentine War for Independence. He organized resistance against the Spanish Crown with assistance from local gauchos who fought using guerilla tactics. Interestingly, for this region that in itself is not new. The natives of Quilmes used the same tactics with great success against the Spaniards.
Dirt roads for over half of the 130 mile drive
The Park is less than 20 years old, very few “facilities. Roads follow the Inca trails – straight through the middle of the valley.
Parrots love cactus
We stop for lunch at the Isamendi Winery where food is cooked in the traditional adobe fire pit. It is certainly well done!
We don’t order the wine, but a glass of tannat is offered. Very strong dark red wine!
Casa Molinos – an old hacienda still run by the family! A welcome destination! The church was built after the hacienda (very unusual) and it has hand woven “stations of the cross” framed in cardon cactus wood…beautiful.
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