Trip to Lavalle

Yesterday we went on a group adventure to the desert. Mendoza is a desert but not to the same extent as Lavalle. This region in the Northeast of Mendoza Province has significantly more sand and less water. First, we stopped by the Rio Mendoza. As you can see from the photos below there is a huge quantity of water. 

There hasn't been any water since the 1980s.

We had fun in the river bed.

And then we went to a nature reserve that focused on the preservation of trees.

It also had an exhibit of traditional ways of living.

Water filter.

Refrigerator.

Wagon.

Posts for drying hides into leather.

A well. The ground water has high levels of salt.

 And then we went to the sand dunes.

Animal tracks. Clockwise starting in the top left: rabbit, beetles, bird of some sort, beetles.     

 A group of us decided to run down one of the hills. And then to run back up... I'm not sure who picked that second one. Anyway, I struggled. See the photo to the right.

 

Erika and Dianaliz decided to roll down the hill.

So Lindsey and I did, too.

Worst choice ever. EVER. I still have sand in my hair.

We sat on the side of the rode to empty out our shoes.

All of the sand in mine.

And then Cat gave us all Reese's Cups. YES!!!! This country is seriously missing out on the whole peanut butter thing.

 We then went to a small town (40 families) for lunch.

The old church. There was a new church as well. This one is a historical building and the new one is the one the community uses.