A Journey Through Mountains and Connections

Today was an unforgettable day, full of beauty, connections, and challenges as I ran 36 miles from Mendoza to Potrerillos. The path was stunning, with almost the entire stretch following a cycle path, making it a smooth and enjoyable route—at least most of the time!

Starting the day running out of Mendoza, I was immediately greeted by the warmth of people cheering me on and asking about my journey. Their encouragement was heartening and set the tone for the day. The sun quickly turned up the heat, but I didn’t mind; I’ve come to embrace these warm days as part of this incredible adventure.

One of the highlights of the day came as I passed through the charming Colonia Suiza town. There, I met Nancy, a lovely woman wearing a Swiss shirt. It turned out she had lived in Switzerland for a few years, and we shared a delightful conversation in Swiss German. It was such a treat to connect in my native language, even thousands of miles from home. To top it off, I enjoyed an ice-cold Gatorade and a perfectly ripe pear—simple joys that felt like luxury in the midday heat.

The kindness of strangers continued to amaze me. I met two gardeners who offered me some fresh fruit, a refreshing gift that felt like a small miracle in the blazing heat. Their generosity reminded me once again of the beauty of human connection, something that’s been a constant source of energy throughout this journey.

The scenery today was vastly different from the flat plains and desert landscapes I’ve encountered so far in Argentina. As I ran closer to the mountains, the air felt cooler—well, not exactly cool, but certainly less stifling than the desert. The landscape shifted to include fresh water from fascinating irrigation systems, more trees, and the majestic view of the mountain range. Running within the mountains brought a new sense of energy and wonder, though it also came with its fair share of uphill challenges.

One particularly grueling stretch came in the afternoon heat, where I climbed up hairpin turns on a brand-new road. There was no shade, but at least the wide shoulder gave me some space to focus on pushing forward. And then came the reward: my first tunnel of the journey. Emerging from the darkness, I was greeted by a breathtaking sight—a turquoise-blue lago, Embalse Potrerillos, surrounded by towering mountains. It was like stepping into a different world. Locals were scattered along the beaches, enjoying all sorts of activities, and the sight of them having fun gave me a boost to keep going.

When I finally reached Potrerillos, it was scorching hot. I began looking for a place to stay and initially found a cabana, but it was far from the riverbank and the path I’d be taking tomorrow. After some back-and-forth, I decided to head down to the river. Jorge, a local, mentioned there was camping near the supermarket and my next day’s route, so I went for it.

At the supermarket, I met Romina, a kind woman sitting outside with her children. She welcomed me warmly, and her kindness mirrored that of so many others I’d met today. After grabbing some groceries for the evening and the following day, Romina and her kids walked me down to the campground. There, I met more friendly people who made me feel at home, including a neighbor who lent me a cord extension so I could charge all my gear—a small but meaningful gesture.

By 9 PM, I had pitched my tent, taken a shower, eaten, and was ready to crash. I made sure to avoid setting up under the brightest lamp this time (lesson learned!), but the Argentinians seem to love keeping the lights on all night, so I still had a bit of a glow to deal with.

The wind picked up overnight, rattling my tent and sending dust swirling through the mosquito net. But honestly, I was too tired to care. After a long, fulfilling day, I fell into a deep sleep, grateful for the experiences and connections I’d had.

Tomorrow, I’ll tackle the next big challenge: getting closer to the pass. I’m nervous but ready to take it step by step. After all, that’s what this journey is all about—one step, one mile, one day at a time.

Thank you for following along. Every cheer, comment, and message means the world to me. Here’s to another day of running the world!