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WE’RE THERE! WE’RE THERE!

(this was Austin’s way of announcing our destination when he was little)

Yesterday we left Saltillo around 7am -everyone was so wiped out and it was difficult to get the troops rallied.  We drove and drove and drove and made it to our new home a bit after 7pm.

It was dark and we were so tired so we just unloaded what we could and figured out sleeping arrangements and crashed.  We woke up to a beautiful sunny day.  The temp yesterday was up to 80.  Not sure what today holds.

Austin, India and Ginger Kitty spent the morning exploring the house and all it’s many rooms and gardens and terraces -we have 4 terrace areas!!!  We kind of made a game plan for who gets which bedroom and where we might put some items (like the digital piano) and moved other things.  They are enjoying it so far.

Mikee took the car carrier off the roof and I think I heard a sigh of relief from the vehicle.  😉  Then he went out to get some coffee -first things first, you know.

Now that we have driven across these 2 large countries 3 times I have learned that…

…it’s worth it to use San Antonio, TX as a stop point, (it’s a nice city with great hotels and food easily available) as opposed to Laredo, TX.  The town of Laredo and the crossing in Nuevo Laredo are not really nice places.  It’s worth the extra 20 miles to cross at the Columbia crossing.  It’s smoother and faster.  It’s kind of like crossing at an industrial park compared to a shanty town.

…we prefer stopping in Saltillo for the same reason.  (better hotels and food)  Saltillo is not quite halfway but I would rather drive a little further after a good night of sleep in a nice clean hotel.

We reached an elevation of 7100 feet coming through the mountains.  That is just the road -the mountains are much higher than that.

Here are some pictures from the drive. (Click the picture to get a better view)

finally a rest stop

and a real one at that

sign of bull at least 15" tall

truck full of chickens

For the most part, the roads are mostly 2 lanes coming and 2 lanes going, often separated by a grass divider, and in good shape. People love to pass and then pull over to the right lane. You don’t normally see anyone hog the left passing lane which is common in the USA.  We had no trouble driving at the regular speed limit of 110KM  which is about 70mph.

[youtube UKU9RzO83KQ]

But, there is a section after San Luis Potosi where the highway is 1 lane coming and 1 lane going.  So if you need to pass slow trucks struggling to carry their heavy load up the mountain passes at 6,000+ feet, you need to wait until there is no oncoming traffic, say a prayer, and put the pedal to the metal, say another prayer, and pass as quickly as possible before the oncoming car reaches you.  From this point to Guadalajara the roads were pretty rough. One section looks like they are in the process of putting in new roads and bridges, so mean while they have a rough temporary road in use.

….Not for the faint of heart! 😉

[youtube hOUFLJlFwus]

{ 8 comments… add one }
  • Jim January 7, 2011, 1:39 pm

    We’re really glad you made it safely! I just added Poncitlan MX to my weather app on my phone. It was the closest I could get to you guys. I would imagine the weather is similar. If so, it looks like it will be a real nice week! Dont get sunburned, that just screams ‘tourist’. 🙂

    • admin January 7, 2011, 5:01 pm

      Hey Jim,
      The best site to check our current weather and saved history is at
      http://www.chapalaweather.net/
      This guy down the road from us has a weather station tied to the website. Much more accurate than Weather.com
      It’s really interesting that because the elevation changes so quickly so does the temperature.
      Last summer when we were coming back from Manzanillo (Pacific Coast) as we drove north past the west side of the lake, then came back down, the temperature changed 12 degrees. Probably a combination of the elevation and what side of the mountain you’re on so the sun’s heat doesn’t reach.

  • Julie January 7, 2011, 1:52 pm

    Yay! you made it! Have fun getting settled! Thanks for the legos, the boys are loving them!

  • Elly January 7, 2011, 2:16 pm

    That truckload of chickens reminded me of one I passed in Canada. It didn’t smell great!

  • DAD January 7, 2011, 2:57 pm

    GOOD JOB ! Glad that you made it safely.
    Dad

  • Emily and Addison January 8, 2011, 12:06 pm

    Hello Mike and Cam! Hello Austin, India, Ginger Gatito! We send you much love and many hugs. The newest pictures are incredible! When I read this title, “We’re there! We’re there!” All I could envision was little baby Austin saying, “Unibersal Dudiios!”. :). (I miss our runs Austy). India, how is the electic piano treating you? You have some really fun books there, but something tells me you will fly thru them, super fast!!!

    We love you ALL. Talk soon!!! Enjoy the adventure!!!
    Ems and Ad-man

  • Lori Borys January 8, 2011, 4:19 pm

    So glad you are all there safe and sound. Can’t wait to see what’s next for your adventurous family. Much love!

  • Bethany January 9, 2011, 3:47 am

    Hi Mike, Cami, Austin, India, and Ginger Gatito!!! We are so happy you made it safely!!! The video of you passing the trucks was intense! We can’t wait to see some pictures of your new home, friends, Kingdom Hall, etc. Have you been able to recuperate at all? The kids must have been so happy to get out of the car and run and play! Enjoy the adventure!

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