After we finished the Torres del Paine circuit, our group was ready to go our separate ways. We all had different agendas and were ready to follow them. I wasn't quite ready to leave Puerto Natales and needed a day to head back to the Duty Free in Punta Arenas to buy a replacement camera while the others were ready to continue the journey north. I felt so fortunate to have shared so many amazing experiences - Summer Solstice in Ushuaia, a meat eating extravaganza, the holidays in Puerto Williams, and the circuit in Torres del Paine along with random day to day fun with these people, but I was ready and excited to be traveling on my own. 

My first day alone, I found a spot along the water to journal, like a good backpacker, and I wrote about how much I was looking forward to this next stage of my journey. Being back in charge of my plans and trusting that although I had no idea what the future would hold, I knew that it would work out, just as everything had worked out thus far. On that high, I floated into town and went into a jewelry store that had caught my eye earlier. I started talking with the jeweler about the area and he recommended that I explore Laguna Sofia. He described it as a magical, almost spiritual place that had a cave to camp out in. A cave? I was intrigued to say the least.

I told Stefan about it, and he was equally intrigued. We decided to go for it. He would stay with me the first night or two, and then I would have an evening for myself, alone in the cave! 

Stefan biked and Rodrigo drove me out to the lake in this classic ride. 

The boys swam while I lay down on the "beach" channeling my inner San Diego. Afterwards, Rodrigo showed us the way up the steep hill to the cave. I knew we wouldn't have to hike too far, so I had loaded my bag with some heavier than normal backpacking fare, ex wine. Although short, the hike was not easy, especially given my, ahem, relaxed state. The hard work was worth it though, as it always seems to be. 

The next three days were a blissful mix of relaxation, swimming, hiking, and mainly taking in the exquisite views while we were blessed with one of the most beautiful weekends of weather I've experienced since I've been here. 

As an added bonus, there were condor nests all along the cliff, so we had a perfect private viewing of the condors in flight. 

The excursion ended with as much ease as it started, and increased my confidence in the rest of my trip. My plan was to leave and head out to the main road to hitchhike home. I left the cave and ran into 2 climbers about 20 feet from the mouth of the cave who offered to take me home. Could not have been easier. And coincidentally, the girlfriend and son of one of the hikers live in Encinitas - my San Diego home for the past 2 years.