After we got some bad advice from the tourist office in Uspallata, we decided to return to Mendoza via "the drive of the year". Which is an unpaved road with 365 hairpin turns and spectacular scenery. We were told it was not a difficult route and small cars have no problem making it. Wrong. We set out in our rented Fiat and found after about an hour of driving in a geologically fascinating desert environment that the road turns into mostly sand with formidable hills. Well, Gary being one not to be deterred easily when faced with driving challenges, attempted unsuccessfully to continue onward, dispatching Rick to get behind the Fiat and push. One flat tire and several minor scratches later we gave up and (Rick) drove back on the paved route. As Rick so optimistically put it: "Nothing ventured, nothing gained."