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dmhaun

Dec 31, 2010, 6:57 AM

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My drive south from Austin!

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I drove solo from Austin to Lake Patzcuaro last Tuesday morning, Dec. 28, 2010. Went straight down Interstate 35, crossed at Bridge #2, got the green light in N. Laredo, stopped on left at first drive-in combio for pesos, got the green light at the 18k Aduna check-point and had a bright, sun-shiny drive. A tiny stretch (20 feet) of the Saltillo cuota is still one-lane and from the looks of the hole, it may remain that way.
Spent the night in Matehuala and ate the best Arrachera, en el mundo, at the Palms Motel. Their rooms are not cheap, but extremely adequate and nothing fancy. They still have the sign "No Mascotes," but it is not an issue. Ask for a "discuento," waving to the rooms on the left and they will take 100 pesos off the room.
Another option is the Capri Motel, also dog friendly, behind the second Pemex on the right as you drive into Matehuala, from N. Laredo. It's about a third the price of the Palms, a little funky, but the rooms are immaculate and there are NO CARPETS. (A major issue in low-priced motels.) Park at room in both motels.
Traffic was heavy-ish, but no slow-downs, no radar traps and no one was driving while on their cell phone. Magical Lake Patzcuaro was calling me. It's nice to be home, where ever that may be. Happy Holidays and Feliz viaje, David
PS In Central Mexico, the nights are cool, but the sunshine is fabulous. Bring your sun-block, but leave your snow boots and rain coats at home.
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The Michoacan Net
Supporting the Arts in Michoacan
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robt65

Dec 31, 2010, 9:50 AM

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Re: [dmhaun] My drive south from Austin!

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I drove from the Colombia bridge # 2 and got into Matehuala at around 9:30 in the evening, pulling a 30 foot travel trailer. I stopped at the first Motel I saw o the right (I cannot remember the name) and went on to find another a few motes down the road but about a half mile or so on the right called the Oasis. There is a Casino attached to it. I asked the woman if there was a place for my trailer as well in a safe area. She assured me there was and to follow her. I went through a portal (wearily) and into the back of the property, which opened up into a great big area that I was able to turn the trailer around in on one turn of the wheel! Was I surprised! The rooms reminded me of a 1950's style motel in New Mexico someplace! Rooms were kind of like small duplexes. The rate was $500 pesos (I was too tired to even think about a discount) as all I wanted to do was sleep, I grabbed the room and was pleasantly surprised. The room was large and very clean with an older model T.V. (for my purposes, which was never turned on, as sleep was my desire) The water was instantly hot and plenty of it, and there was a wall mounted Heat / AC unit that was very good and kept the room at a very nice warm temp. Got up in the morning and went down the road a half mile or so for breakfast at the Las Palmas Hotel with plenty of parking in the front for my rig. I later found out that I could have slept in my trailer there with a hookup. Don’t know what the cost of that would have been but I am sure going to find out on the return, when I go back for my eye surgery on the first of February.

robt65