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Forgive me, as it has been awhile sense the last blog post, so I’m hopin’ to post two here in the next few days to make up for all that has happened. It’s been an exciting summer!  Thank you everyone who has been checking on the blog sporadically even though I haven’t posted lately.  It’s so nice to know that we have friends and family back home keeping up with us.  :)  We love you all so much.

So, Ann and Bill Tinkler, Zach’s parents, came at the end of January for a visit!  It was sooooo wonderful to have family come into town.  The morning Zach went to pick them up from the airport I could hardly contain myself!  Family!!!!!  We had a marvelous time during their visit which included Santiago, wineries, Maitencillo (beach town), Punta Arenas, and Torres del Paine.  WOW.  We packed in a lot of stuff and created so many memories that will be talked about for years to come.  Here are a few key things that stick out in my mind from the trip, as well as some pictures.

• We went to this little winery in the middle of Maipo Valley south of Santiago called De Martino where we got a private English tour and tasting.  Our guide taught us so much about the Chilean wine industry and what makes wines special from Chile.  Carmenere is a type of grape that can only be grown well in Chile because there is a bug that is found in all other countries except Chile, that loves to eat this grape.  If you get a chance to try this red wine, it’s smooth, full bodied, and fantastic!

• Although it was not Zach and I’s first time since being in Chile, seeing the Pacific Ocean is always neat.  I think Ann and Bill really enjoyed Maitencillo, which is a beach town about two hours north of Santiago.

• Being in Punta Arenas and seeing the Strait of Magellan was pretty amazing.  It’s something you learn about in geography class as a little kid, but never even imagine you could actually go there.
• On the way to Torres del Paine, we stopped at a sheep farm for lunch.  We had roasted lamb, and we all agreed it was the best we’d ever had.  So delicious!  We also got to watch the shepherd and the sheep dog work with the sheep.

Parque National Torres del Paine.  We spent several days at a hotel inside the national park, and let me just say, this National Park is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.  Most of the trip, we just stood in awe of God’s creation and handiwork.  The mountain formation that is one of the key stones of the park was formed by glacial erosion that left formations the look like horns and others that form steep granite towers.  There is also a glacier that is part of the Southern Ice Field in Chile that’s in the park, as well as many lakes, waterfalls, and unique flora and fauna.  We took a hike up to see the towers, half on horseback and half on foot.  It was an incredible experience riding the horses up steep trails and through waist deep rivers.  What an adventure!!!  We also got to take a boat ride out and see part of the glacier that is in the park.  It was an incredible experience.

Thank you so much Mom and Dad Tinkler for such an amazing experience.  We made memories we will never forget!

I’m headed back to the States today for a visit with family in friends in Atlanta.  I plan on updating the blog from there!  And maybe, just maybe, Zach will update again soon.  :)

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