Charms of a Town with History

It is common to travel by car or bus towards the cities located on the mountain range and to admire the rocky surroundings of Piedra del Águila without making a stop at this location. When the plan is to travel in a more relaxed way, it is possible to devote a short time to some of its natural attractions.

The mountain range that borders the road is very special and almost always visited by birds (mainly vultures and chimangos) that fly over it. As we accessed the city, we parked our car to observe the figures in the rocks in detail while we imagined human shapes, ships and the like.

Some 200 meters ahead, we headed for a great staircase that led to the viewpoint that features a very complete sight of the entire area. From that elevated terrace, we could have a closer look at the huge basaltic reddish rocks with round borders that identify this district and to which the southern winds have given drawings and caves.
In the distance, we made out two sculptures: the former is nestled on the top of a rock, it is a black-chested buzzard eagle with spread wings that has presided over the life of the town ever since its 100th anniversary was celebrated; a little beyond, the fisherman's monument pays tribute to highly appreciated brown and rainbow trout fly-fishing in the bountiful Limay River.

Afterwards, a quick visit to the municipal museum let us understand the presence of small forts in the region, when the then president of the republic General Julio A. Roca colonized the Patagonian territories late in the nineteenth century. We saw daily items such as photographs and objects owned by the former denizens who gave life to stories unknown to us.

Likewise, the museum presents an interactive game that shows the archeological works carried out in the surroundings after the excavations made during the foundations of Alicurá and Piedra del Águila Dams.

We resolved to cover the 5 kilometers that separate the town from Kumelkayen swim hole, on the plentiful Limay River. As we got there, we parked our car under the shady trees in the waterfront to visit the sports facilities. Eventually, we made ourselves comfortable on the riverbank. We saw the campsite and heard that water skiing, rowing and windsurfing are usually enjoyed in the area.
The river welcomes thousands of anglers year after year. Salmonidae are the main protagonists. Though we did not visit them, we learned that there are several estancias in the outskirts of the town that welcome hunters and fishermen who feel passion for these Patagonian sports.

To call it a day, we went around the quiet village with streets made of dirt. Its quiet routine inspired us to continue our way in peace and without the haste we had brought along with us so far.