My five year old wanted me to write to you, she said "say, Tom, this is AMAZING." There is something special about seeing someone who's name you know, who's words you have read before, taking epic adventures. We sat and looked up Patagonia on the map and talked while we went through your pictures (enlarging them as big as they could be) - she kept squealing with delight and whispering "it's so beautiful." Thank you for the post. For the magic that sharing an adventure can create - maybe some day Lorelei will go to Patagonia and when they ask why did you come? she'll say my this guy my mom knew Tom went and it looked AMAZING - it looked possible.
That's some stunning scenery alright! I'm especially taken by the striation of lighter and black rock on the tops of those mountains, third picture down. Sounds like a great trip!
What a beautiful trip. I've done some adventuring in my life, and I find that the majesty of the wilderness is just so hard to capture both in pictures and in words. You did a lovely job.
I can relate. This weekend, I just went back to a similar travel essay (similar in style, not destination!), and I can't find my way into it. Frustrating...
I happened to read another writer’s piece and it was just genuinely appreciative of the experience (in a way that was maybe a little too breathless and adoring for me, but still), and I originally found myself taking a different approach, analyzing why despite the glories of the place I also felt disappointment. Thank goodness my wife read my first draft and said, “you idiot, you can’t publish this.” This version was me trying again. It really was quite a magical place.
What a glorious journey, Tom. Thanks for sharing. Photos are amazing! Coincidentally: for the last year I've been writing a family history book, featuring a 92-year-old, retired large animal veterinarian who grew up in Punta Arenas. Spent the first few decades of his life roaming the Patagonia estancias, inseminating Corriedale sheep, his eyes filled with all that landscape you featured in the post. Since then, he's traveled extensively (i.e., around the world at least a couple of times). He just got back from an Antartica tour, btw. So still going strong even at his advanced age (inspiration for all of us)!
Thanks Mark, I didn’t mention it but we did a visit at a working sheep estancia that was really cool. What a wild place that must have been to live in.
Your comment about the composition of the group (and based on your description, the conclusion I drew on the nature of the tour) left a lot for me to contemplate …
Incredible photos! I love those mountains. I first saw them in a not well-known b/w film of Coppola's. Blew my mind.
That was such a beautiful journey my friend, thanks for taking us all on the trip with you!
Holy shit! What a great post Tom and magnificent photos. Breathtaking.
A great piece! Fantastic travel writing - the photos are brilliant. Thanks for sharing, and adding another place to the list!
My five year old wanted me to write to you, she said "say, Tom, this is AMAZING." There is something special about seeing someone who's name you know, who's words you have read before, taking epic adventures. We sat and looked up Patagonia on the map and talked while we went through your pictures (enlarging them as big as they could be) - she kept squealing with delight and whispering "it's so beautiful." Thank you for the post. For the magic that sharing an adventure can create - maybe some day Lorelei will go to Patagonia and when they ask why did you come? she'll say my this guy my mom knew Tom went and it looked AMAZING - it looked possible.
That's some stunning scenery alright! I'm especially taken by the striation of lighter and black rock on the tops of those mountains, third picture down. Sounds like a great trip!
I’d say 30% of my pictures from the entire trip were of those peaks—they were really striking.
On my bucket list. Thanks for the vivid description!
How'd the knee hold up??
Not a single issue. Now it’s back to the Cascades for the summer.
Dang. Stunning. Gorgeous. Patagonia is now on my list. Thx for sharing.
What an adventure! Thanks for sharing. 😀
Those are impressive photos, regardless of the gear used. Enjoying the experience directly, rather than through a viewfinder, was a good call.
Yeah, no regrets on leaving the good camera behind. Thanks for stopping by Mark.
What a beautiful trip. I've done some adventuring in my life, and I find that the majesty of the wilderness is just so hard to capture both in pictures and in words. You did a lovely job.
Wow - looks like an amazing trip!
I love how you jumped right into the story, too. Great opening line!
Yeah, it was pretty cool. Surprisingly difficult to write about, oddly enough. You never know!
I can relate. This weekend, I just went back to a similar travel essay (similar in style, not destination!), and I can't find my way into it. Frustrating...
You certainly pulled it off here, though.
I happened to read another writer’s piece and it was just genuinely appreciative of the experience (in a way that was maybe a little too breathless and adoring for me, but still), and I originally found myself taking a different approach, analyzing why despite the glories of the place I also felt disappointment. Thank goodness my wife read my first draft and said, “you idiot, you can’t publish this.” This version was me trying again. It really was quite a magical place.
What a glorious journey, Tom. Thanks for sharing. Photos are amazing! Coincidentally: for the last year I've been writing a family history book, featuring a 92-year-old, retired large animal veterinarian who grew up in Punta Arenas. Spent the first few decades of his life roaming the Patagonia estancias, inseminating Corriedale sheep, his eyes filled with all that landscape you featured in the post. Since then, he's traveled extensively (i.e., around the world at least a couple of times). He just got back from an Antartica tour, btw. So still going strong even at his advanced age (inspiration for all of us)!
Thanks Mark, I didn’t mention it but we did a visit at a working sheep estancia that was really cool. What a wild place that must have been to live in.
Cheers for sharing, mate
Amazing photos! 👍
Your comment about the composition of the group (and based on your description, the conclusion I drew on the nature of the tour) left a lot for me to contemplate …
DM me for additional candor if you wish