Monthly Archives: April 2025

Flight to the Bottom of the World

April 29, 2025Events, Grief Journey#Argentina, #bereavement, #Childloss, #drugdeath, #griefandhealing, #griefisreal, #griefjourney, #grieving, #grievingmother, #lifeafterloss, #losingachild, #losingalovedone, #loss, #opioidepidemic, #overdose, #OverdoseAwareness, #penguin, #Ushuaia, griefLosing Someone to Addiction

Post #25

Perito and I flew to Ushuaia, the largest city at the bottom of the world. We got a window seat with lovely views of the Andes.

I went farther south than anyone in my family had ever been. My grandfather had traveled around the world as a coal shoveler on the yacht Eleanor before the turn of the 19^th century. He went around southern India, but never went around the Americas because he got off the boat in California.

My sister visited my niece in Bolivia a few years ago because my niece was working there for a year.

There I was, at the gateway to Antarctica, which was a 36-hour ship ride away. But that was not my destination.

I soon met up with my friend Adriana Bertola.

Jason’s Favorite Part

April 28, 2025Events, Grief Journey, Uncategorized#Argentina, #bereavement, #Childloss, #drugdeath, #ElCalafate, #griefandhealing, #griefisreal, #griefjourney, #grieving, #grievingmother, #lifeafterloss, #losingachild, #losingalovedone, #loss, #opioidepidemic, #overdose, #OverdoseAwareness, #penguin, griefLosing Someone to Addiction

Post #24

Sadly for both of us, it was time for Jason to return home because he did not have much time off work.

I asked, “What was your favorite part of the trip?”

To my surprise, he said, “Drinking the fresh, pure glacial water at Perito Moreno. That was the best water I’ve ever had in my life.”

And the biggest bonus of all: Jason wants to return, which gives him a positive goal to work toward. After all the horrible things he has been through, especially losing his older brother Tristan in 2015 to a heroin overdose, this makes me very happy.

Yeti Bar

April 26, 2025Events, Grief Journey#Argentina, #bereavement, #Childloss, #drugdeath, #ElCalafate, #griefandhealing, #griefisreal, #griefjourney, #grieving, #grievingmother, #lifeafterloss, #losingachild, #losingalovedone, #loss, #opioidepidemic, #overdose, #OverdoseAwareness, #Patagonia, #penguin, griefLosing Someone to Addiction

Post #23

In the evening we went to a Yeti bar, named for a mythical ape-like creature living in the Himalayan mountains. I was told the letter “Y” is pronounced “Sh.” Jason and I had a giggle over that one. In the West the creature is called the Abominable Snowman.

The bar offered photo opportunities in sub-zero temperatures. They provided parkas, mittens, and non-skid shoe coverings and served their drinks in ice glasses.

Perito got to sit on the Abominable Snowman’s shoulder.

Brrr! Perfect for a penguin.

4×4 Adventure

April 25, 2025Events, Grief Journey#Argentina, #bereavement, #Childloss, #drugdeath, #ElCalafate, #griefandhealing, #griefisreal, #griefjourney, #grieving, #grievingmother, #lifeafterloss, #losingachild, #losingalovedone, #loss, #opioidepidemic, #overdose, #OverdoseAwareness, #Patagonia, #penguin, griefLosing Someone to Addiction

Post #22

Back in El Calafate, Jason wanted to take a 4×4 adventure up a neighboring hill, so off we went.

We saw Choique birds, which looked like small ostriches; guanaco, which is similar to the llama; and some stunning scenery.

At the end we enjoyed a hearty stew, and then a brownie with dulce de leche, a creamy caramel spread. Mmmm! And we both tried grapefruit soda, which also was good.

Return to El Calafate

April 24, 2025Events, Grief Journey#Argentina, #bereavement, #Childloss, #drugdeath, #ElChaltén, #griefandhealing, #griefisreal, #griefjourney, #grieving, #grievingmother, #lifeafterloss, #losingachild, #losingalovedone, #loss, #opioidepidemic, #overdose, #OverdoseAwareness, #Patagonia, #penguin, griefLosing Someone to Addiction

Post #20

Then it was time to leave. With a mixture of gratitude and some sadness, we boarded the bus for our return to El Calafate.

Beautiful Street Art in El Chaltén

April 23, 2025Events, Grief Journey#Argentina, #bereavement, #Childloss, #drugdeath, #ElChaltén, #griefandhealing, #griefisreal, #griefjourney, #grieving, #grievingmother, #lifeafterloss, #losingachild, #losingalovedone, #loss, #opioidepidemic, #overdose, #OverdoseAwareness, #penguin, griefLosing Someone to Addiction

Post #20

Mirador Fitz Roy Hike Overlook

April 22, 2025Events, Grief Journey#Argentina, #bereavement, #Childloss, #drugdeath, #ElChaltén, #FitzRoy, #griefandhealing, #griefisreal, #griefjourney, #grieving, #grievingmother, #lifeafterloss, #losingachild, #losingalovedone, #loss, #opioidepidemic, #overdose, #OverdoseAwareness, #Patagonia, #penguin, griefLosing Someone to Addiction

Post #19

We gasped when we turned the final corner and saw Mt. Fitz Roy in so much glory…

Lower Portion of Mirador Fitz Roy Hike

April 21, 2025Events, Grief Journey#Argentina, #bereavement, #Childloss, #drugdeath, #ElChaltén, #griefandhealing, #griefisreal, #griefjourney, #grieving, #grievingmother, #lifeafterloss, #losingachild, #losingalovedone, #loss, #opioidepidemic, #overdose, #OverdoseAwareness, #Patagonia, #penguin, griefLosing Someone to Addiction

Post #18

The trees along this hike could inspire fairy tales.

We reached a beautiful overlook on our way to the lower portion of the Mirador Fitz Roy Hike.

Stunning Day 2 Hike from El Chaltén

April 18, 2025Events, Grief Journey#Argentina, #bereavement, #Childloss, #drugdeath, #griefandhealing, #griefisreal, #griefjourney, #grieving, #grievingmother, #lifeafterloss, #losingachild, #losingalovedone, #loss, #opioidepidemic, #overdose, #OverdoseAwareness, #Patagonia, #penguin, griefLosing Someone to Addiction

Post #17

We took a slightly more challenging hike on day 2. Stunning views.

Perito goes everywhere with us, getting a bird’s-eye view from the side pouch of my waist pack. He comes out to pose.

First Hike in El Chaltén

April 17, 2025Events, Grief Journey#Argentina, #bereavement, #Childloss, #drugdeath, #ElChaltén, #griefandhealing, #griefisreal, #griefjourney, #grieving, #grievingmother, #lifeafterloss, #losingachild, #losingalovedone, #loss, #opioidepidemic, #overdose, #OverdoseAwareness, #Patagonia, #penguin, griefLosing Someone to Addiction

Post #16

We took our first hike that evening, up the hill east of town, known for its condors. We saw a pair circling overhead.

When we got to the top, the scenery was simply surreal.