Over the Mountains and through the Desert!

We broke the 2000 mile mark on day 7 of our trip. We are deep into Central Mexico with one more day to go! Mexico is very different then the states, but very beautiful. The first day into the country brought us into the heart of the mountains in Monterrey which is an absolutely beautiful city cradled in the heart of gigantic rock face mountains. It was quite majestic. Personally, the driving was a bit nerve racking in and out of mountains, but the sunset over the mountains from Saltillo was worth all of it.

We are enjoying the company of our friends Elizabeth and Ernesto whose knowledge of the language has been invaluable. Surprisingly no one at the Mexican border patrol speaks much English. It would have been quite a challenge to get going without their help. Contrary to what we often heard and expected, the roads have been great. The quality of their highway roads are very similar to ours, what is different is that there are no off ramps. Little shops, restaurants, and the government owned Pemex gas stations are literally on the side of the highway in which we are going 110 on! (That is kilometers about 68 mph)

Driving through the country instead of flying has given us such a better perspective of Mexico. You see the wealth and the poverty. The mountains and today the desert. Every hour a new type of cactus is introduced. We have gotten to drive through cities and tiny towns. (which never seem to have anything other then 5 restaurants to service 10 houses) At the end of the desert today we were greeted by lush green fields and cactus in full red flowered bloom.

There are some things that remind us of the States. Today our hotel is next to a McDonalds. On the opposite end, last night we took a side road past block buildings to a wonderful taco joint. We agreed that this food was better then any we had in the states the last 6 days. Our hostess confessed that the food is one of the many things that has kept her in Mexico. I thought I might lose weight here, but the tacos the last couple of days have made me think otherwise.

Pray for one more day of safe travel and that our little overpacked van would once again make it over the new mountains ahead and safely into our destination!