The city of Oaxaca, capital of the state of Oaxaca, is located in the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountains. Driving to the city on Highway 190, (known as the Panamerican Highway), we were treated to a good wide road and spectacular views of deep gorges, thin slivers of river way below, and lush green forested hills extending back forever until they blended with layers of blue mountain ranges. Continue reading “Last week in Mexico”
Mexico City In and Out
As we slowed for an off-ramp, on our way through Mexico City, we were waved over by police. We have had this experience numerous times and after a few polite questions, we are sent on our way. But not this time. Continue reading “Mexico City In and Out”
Mexico, El Interior
Leaving the coast we drove inland on route 80 towards Guadalajara. The road climbed for three or four hours through hills covered in thin deciduous forest. To our surprise, even at this higher elevation, stretching above the trees were tall branching cacti looking almost like trees themselves. 
Finally leveling out we traveled over a large flat mesa, quilted with fields of sugarcane, corn, and agave. Continue reading “Mexico, El Interior”
Mazatlán and the coast
We did not expect the ferry to be quite the adventure that it was. Early Saturday morning we headed to La Paz, and then right through the city to get to the ferry terminal. Fortunately the Banjercito there was open, because we needed to purchase a vehicle permit for mainland Mexico and would not be allowed on the ferry without it. The young clerk spoke little English but was very cheerful and thorough. Our Manitoba vehicle registration lists our address as NW-29-10-20W, that being our legal land description. This causes us issues in Canada, and she was no less confused. Continue reading “Mazatlán and the coast”
Hola Mexico!
We have spent one week in Mexico and are enjoying every minute. Our entrance was a bit bumpy though. We crossed the border east of Tijuana, at Tecate. Parking on the U.S. side, we walked in to Mexico to get our tourist permits. The Mexican official was quite jovial, helping us with the paperwork, and even lending Bob his red rimmed reading glasses. On the side he sold bottles of salsa (his grandmothers favorite) and honey (from his home town). We bought both. Continue reading “Hola Mexico!”
Cruising California
I had the impression that California was full of palm trees and rich people but it is actually more varied than that! We did not see palm trees until the southern half and we drove through some very rough looking areas where people seemed to be living on very little. Continue reading “Cruising California”
Tsunami anyone?
As soon as we hit the coastal road we started seeing tsunami warning signs. 
Lots of them. And we also noticed signs indicating tsunami exit routes, but the roadways they pointed to seemed impossibly narrow. How would all the cars get up that narrow roadway and not get into a traffic jam? And then everyone would die sitting in their cars. In all of our planning we had not prepared for this. Guess what? You don’t take your car! As soon as the alarm is sounded, or the earth stops shaking, whichever comes first, you run for the exit route. Yes, on foot. No kidding. I will need to work on my running. Continue reading “Tsunami anyone?”
Still in Canada
The howling wind blew us across Saskatchewan and most of the way to Calgary only to find they were experiencing an early onset of winter. Continue reading “Still in Canada”
Leaving Home
Leaving Home Getting ready to leave this week has been hectic. Over the last few months we have generated oodles of hand written lists, printed out lists from other travelers, made up scraps of paper with “don’t forget”. Right now these are spread all over the kitchen table. Continue reading “Leaving Home”