It was the first day without rain yesterday, since we arrived at San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina. We were so excited to finally embark on our road trip along the famous Road of Seven Lakes in Patagonia.

The straight drive from Bariloche to San Martin de los Andes takes no more than 3.5 hours, and it took us 6. We made multiple stops - every lake scene to me was fascinating.

On our way back, I made only two major stops, to photograph sunset and Milky Way, and to put our two little guys to sleep in between. Despite fewer stops, it still took us 5 hours.

It was 3 days after new moon, and a crescent was visibly bright in the sky. Since I had to do long exposure, and didn’t like the over-exposed moon and its bright reflection in the lake, I ended up waiting in the cold (it just snowed the night before) for 40 minutes before the crescent dropped behind the mountain.

Just as the moon was disappearing from the mountain top, two cars drove by in opposite direction behind me, and perfectly light painted on my foreground during my exposure. (Check out Night Photography - How To Start)

Knowing it's possibly my last chance to photograph milky way (due to the moon phase and light pollution in our future stops) in South America, I felt compelled to make this photo.

I couldn't put into words how I felt when I spent moment like this. But I know for sure, each time I am more complete and fulfilled in this life.

See more posts about our family trip in Argentina.

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