A Short and Sweet 27 Miles

I allowed myself a slower morning today, knowing that I had a shorter distance to cover—just 27 miles. I packed up and hit the road around 8 AM, starting with a few flat miles before the climb began. The hill stretched on, disappearing into the fog. By the time I reached the top, the world around me was wrapped in a grey mist, the humidity so thick it felt like a light drizzle.

The descent was more forgiving, and around halfway, I spotted a café—a perfect excuse for a cappuccino break. That’s where I met Marce, who worked there. After a morning of running alone, it was nice to chat for a bit. The café was filled with tempting sweet treats, but I had to remind myself—I’m here to run, not to indulge in every dessert along the way (as much as I wanted to).

Continuing on, I reached Lago Calafquén. I ran alongside it for miles, though mostly hidden behind trees, fences, and bushes. Every now and then, I caught a glimpse of the deep blue water against the green mountains—a stunning sight that made the miles pass a little easier.

Arriving in Coñaripe, I was met with a traffic jam—the town was packed. It’s a popular spot, and I quickly realized that finding a quiet place to stay wouldn’t be easy. At first, I tried looking outside the crowds, but eventually had to double back. That’s when I met Damaris, who runs a Cabañas place. She went out of her way to call around and help me find a place—and that’s how I ended up at Santa Lucía Hostal, a beautiful and peaceful spot run by wonderful people. Exactly what I needed after the bustling town center.

After settling in, I went out to grab groceries for tomorrow, had two slices of pizza and a jugos naturales (a fresh fruit shake). Amaraldo, another world traveler, ran the pizza place, and we could have talked for hours. But eventually, it was time to head "home" and rest.

Just a few more days left in Chile. I plan to enjoy every single one.