I don't do mornings very well. I never have. Unfortunately, the Missoula Airport is, yet again, forcing me to wake up hours before the sun even thinks about shining in order to start on my day-long journey to Patagonia. I think perhaps this time an early morning will be worth it...

My "international" vacation really begins at the L.A. …

Although I consider myself more of a country mouse than a city girl, everyone that heard I was going to Argentina claimed that I would absolutely fall in love with Buenos Aires. After my arrival, I can say that it's virtually impossible not to!! With the charm of Sevilla, architectural hints of New Orleans, and the warmth of Latin America, I fell …

Today I head west. I generally like to head west. I board my flight in the Buenos Aires's domestic airport for a two hour flight to Bariloche-located in the Lake District of Argentina. I had heard that Bariloche is also very European: home to great skiing and even better chocolate. Unfortunately, I would only have the evening to explore.

As I …

An early morning was necessary to get us to base camp by dinner. We all awoke looking a bit groggy from the night before and loaded into the van that would be our home for the next few hours.

A quick stop for lunch and a stop by some Argentine officials were the only things between us and the Chilean border.

By mid-afternon we had passed …

Phil didn't lie. A knock on the door at 8:15 A.M. informed us that it was time for morning yoga. A crisp, summer breeze hit my face as I stepped out of our tent. Yoga was perfect. It got my blood flowing and eased me into the morning and prepared me for our first day on the water.

Breakfast consisted of eggs, potatoes, yogurt, fruit, …

Today would be a continuation of the day before. We would begin with the bridge to bridge section and then we would add two more rapids-Mas o Menos and Casa de Piedra, both class V rapids. Our crew was feeling good, and Phil was as energetic as ever. By the time we hit Mas o Menos, we were looking like an Olympic rowing team.

Mas o Menos …

My first experience with a ducky was a 20 mile float trip with an old friend on the Yellowstone River. I've come a long way since then. That calm, wide river was more than forgiving on my giant rubber boat. As I was about to find out, duckying on the Rio Azul would be anything but...

The group divided into two today to either ducky or …

Annie and I finagled our way into a full day of kayaking with Piero. After a great deal of batting our eyelashes and significantly more begging, Piero agreed to spend the entire day with Annie and myself practicing rolls, peel outs and ferrying. Our morning was more than relaxed(the three of us were still enjoying the dregs of our late-night …

Today would be, as Jorge called it, "The best day of our life." We would be conquering Inferno Canyon-a beautiful, deep Class V canyon with two portages. We had an atypically early morning-Phil's knock came at 7:30 instead of 8:00, and everyone was sure to eat enough protein to get them through a tough day of paddling.

We put in on …