Forums > General > Traveling Mexico

dmhaun

May 17, 2011, 5:48 AM

Post #1 of 5 (5005 views)

Shortcut

Show and Tell: My drive to Lake Patzcuaro

Can't Post | Private Reply

Just drove solo from Austin, TX to Lake Patzcuaro, about 1000 miles, from door to door.
Had my papers completed and drove straight down Interstate 35, into N. Laredo. For the first time in about 40 years of driving to Mexico, I got the red light at the border. Inspection time! (Never that much of an issue, anyway!)
The auto in front of me also got the red light. He pulled-up to the inspection tables, but it was deserted. He drove away. I slowed to a creeping crawl past the tables, but it was like the Twilight Zone. No one! I drove away, thinking, I should have brought more stuff.
Stayed on the quotas all the way and noticed fewer personal vehicles, but more cargo trucks. Encountered two military checks, but everyone was being waved-on.
It was nice stopping at K99, half-way between N. Laredo and Monterrey. Great buffet and hotel. The Subway has free, wi-fi, Internet service, perfect for iPhones or other smart gadgets.
Matehuala was my overnight stop, driving about 600 miles from Austin. The budget Capri is good, but the higher-priced Las Palmas is perfect, with better wireless Internet. Rooms on left side are about MX$200 pesos cheaper than on the right side. The restaurant is great, especially the Steak Arrachera and Chicken Fajitas, but don't miss one of their half dozen varieties of cactus salads. Check out their cactus jelly.
The “Chichimecs” or the desert people, north of San Luis Potosi, are gone, as are their tree-branch shacks, selling their desert wares. No more snake venom, wild birds, nor illegal cactus. Looks like the area was cleared to widen the highway; just plowed level.
Wi-Fi was working well at the San Luis Potosi cuota Travel Center. There is a new coffee bar.
There was construction between San Luis Potosi and SMA exit, with several squeezes into one lane. I found truck and auto drivers in Mexico, in general, to be much more considerate than drivers in the USA. There were a few tipped-over trucks but I saw no auto accidents, unlike the many wrecks I saw in the 230 miles from Austin to Laredo.
Lastly, I tried to keep it around 80 mph. I passed my share of vehicles, but more often than not, autos and cycles zoomed past me going at least 100 mph or 161 km. Dios mios.
I had a safe, enjoyable drive into this wonderful land of Mexico. Feliz viaje!
Saludos de Patzcuaro mágico, David

The Michoacan Net
Supporting the Arts in Michoacan
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Michoacan_net/

donemry

May 17, 2011, 7:20 AM

Post #2 of 5 (4990 views)

Shortcut

Re: [dmhaun] Show and Tell: My drive to Lake Patzcuaro

Can't Post | Private Reply

"The “Chichimecs” or the desert people, north of San Luis Potosi, are gone, as are their tree-branch shacks, selling their desert wares. No more snake venom, wild birds, nor illegal cactus. Looks like the area was cleared to widen the highway; just plowed level. "

We noticed that also when we went through there in April. Does anyone know why?

robt65

May 17, 2011, 10:14 AM

Post #3 of 5 (4946 views)

Shortcut

Re: [dmhaun] Show and Tell: My drive to Lake Patzcuaro

Can't Post | Private Reply

Hi dmhaun,

I read you travelogue with interest, as I now make that trip at least from the intersection of 40 and 57 three or four times a year. I would encourage you on your next pass through Matehuala to by pass the Las Palmas for dinner and walk directly across the street to the restaurant La Noria. I think you will be very pleasantly surprised. My personal tastes tell me it is actually superior to the very good restaurant of the Las Palmas both for evening meals and their breakfasts. The service, variety and overall fare is fantastic, the cleanliness is equally superior. The ambiance of the restaurant itself is really a stark difference from the exterior of the building. If you have the opportunity of meeting the owner who has been there for some 35 years, he will also tell you of the goat cheese shop he has is on the other side of town where he manufactures all things made from goat milk. Many of the items o the restaurant menu use his goat cheese factory products. I am not a great fan of goat cheese; but I must say his cheeses are excellent, especially I his menu items. The prices for this fine restaurant are really very economical. As the saying goes . . . . . try it . . . . You’ll like it! I'll bet your choice of desert on it.

robt65

rvcycleguy

Jun 1, 2011, 1:05 PM

Post #4 of 5 (4643 views)

Shortcut

Re: [dmhaun] Show and Tell: My drive to Lake Patzcuaro

Can't Post | Private Reply

This past December, we noticed the Chichimecs ( women and children) were gone, but replaced by boys and young men waving fabric pieces to get your attention for handout.

tacito

Jul 4, 2011, 8:00 AM

Post #5 of 5 (3955 views)

Shortcut

Re: [donemry] Show and Tell: My drive to Lake Patzcuaro

Can't Post | Private Reply

I have a guess as to why the illegal sales of birds and animals has stopped. Has it become a protected wildlife area? I noticed a sign saying "Welcome to...." Cant recall the word, but there are many nature preserves in Mexico and perhaps this area has been made one.\
Tacito