Riding off the Edge of the Map Reviewed by James Tipton

Riding off the Edge of the Map by David Bryen

Do you remember that best seller several decades ago, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, in which author Robert Pirsig details (but gets lost in digressions) a motorcycle trip from Wisconsin to California?

David Bryen's new book, Riding off the Edge of the Map, is a much better book, detailing (and reflecting upon) a far more fascinating motorcycle trip — through Mexico's Copper Canyon.

What began as a pleasure trip metamorphosed into something else: "The highway had deteriorated from asphalt to terror..."

Aguascalientes style chicken with fruit sauce: Pollo de Aguascalientes Karen Hursh Graber

This chicken with fruit sauce is considered one of the most typical dishes of Aguascalientes, traditionally served at the San Marcos Fair and sometimes called "Pollo de San Marcos." The 20th century Me... read more

fruit poultry main-dishes Aguascalientes

The Battle of Casas Grandes: My grandfather's memories of the Mexican Revolution Sylvia Brenner

On November 20, Mexico celebrates the anniversary of the 1910 Revolution. This is a first-hand story from the memories of a Columbus judge whose grandfather died in the first battle. The Mexican Revolution continues to reverberate after 100 years. read more

Casas Grandes, Chihuahua

Curious coming to Mexico's Mormon Colonia Juarez Marvin West

The Mexican Romneys are descendants of great-grandpa Miles Park Romney and three or four wives who moved south in 1886, out of reach of new U.S. laws prohibiting polygamy.

Miles and other Mormon pioneers made something out of almost nothing and the small towns are is still there in the Chihuahua desert, not far from the Piedras Verdes River, on the flat ground near the Sierra Madre Occidental.

Colonia Juarez is 15 or 20 kilometers southwest of Casas Grandes. read more

religion Northern Mexico

Reborn in the temazcal: A traditional native Mexican American purification ceremony Jeffrey R. Bacon

We sit in darkness, on an earthen floor. Hot vapor condenses and drips down my skin as I hug my knees against my chest and breathe lightly to cool the scalding vapor before it reaches my lungs. The bea... read more

culture-customs Durango

Mexican cheese and guava flan: Flan de queso y guayaba Karen Hursh Graber

Guavas, being so plentiful in Aguascalientes, are used in several desserts. A common combination in Mexico is ate, a paste made with guava, quince, pears or other fruit, and cream cheese, served toge... read more

cheese fruit desserts Aguascalientes

The state of Zacatecas, Mexico - resource page Mexconnect Staff

Zacatecas - a place to return to! Millions of Americans today look to the Mexican state of Zacatecas as their ancestral homeland. In this section, we focus on the fascinating state of Zacatecas, which... read more

exploring-tourism index-page Zacatecas

Puente de Ojuela in Durango: a 19th century suspension bridge from Mexico's mining heyday Jeffrey R. Bacon

In a single second, excitement, awe, terror, and fascination passed through my mind, as I began the walk across Mapimi Municipality's Ojuela Bridge, in the Chihuahuan Desert, of eastern Durango, Mexico... read more

exploring-tourism historical-sites Durango

Sotol: another drink from the New World's oldest wine producing region in Mexico William B. Kaliher

Indian on the high desert: "When poor Mexicans have no money for beer or liquor they say, 'There is always sotol.'" Driving to the Hacienda de Perote ... read more

tequila-mescal Coahuila

Persian qanats in Western Mexico John Pint

Three thousand years ago engineers in Persia devised an ingenious solution to one of mankind's most serious problems in areas without rivers and lakes: how to get water from point A, where it abounds, ... read more

Jalisco Zacatecas

Crossing with the Virgin: Stories from the Migrant Trail Reviewed by James Tipton

This is a powerful book! Four thousand people — men, women, and children — over the past ten years have died trying to cross the Arizona desert in search of better lives.

This is the story of some of those courageous people from Mexico and Central America, and it is also the story of some equally courageous people from the United States... read more

book-reviews social-issues Northern Mexico

Paradise Valley Reviewed by James Tipton

"Paradise Valley — five thousand acres of prime, flat, fertile farmland nestled in the Sierra Madre of northeastern Mexico, only a hundred miles from the American border."
Inspired by actual events, several Amish families — finding new state laws impossible to live under because they undermined their faith and way of life — set off in 1922 to begin a new life in Mexico. read more

book-reviews fiction history Chihuahua

Mexican Spanish style beef and vegetable stew: Chambarete español Karen Hursh Graber

Although classified under "soups," this is really a stew, served as a main course. A reflection of the European heritage of Aguascalientes, it is similar to the Spanish caldo gallego, which is also m... read more

vegetables meat main-dishes soups Aguascalientes

Discovering Clues to the Legacy of a Mexican Poet: Manuel Rocha y Chabre Joseph A. Serbaroli, Jr.

Several years ago, I was rummaging through a box of family photos with my dad, when he showed me an old, yellowing image of his mother from 1908. He told me it was taken in Mexico at the wedding of her cousin, the poet and playwright Manuel Rocha y Chabre. read more

famous-people history literature Chihuahua, Chihuahua

Tamazunchale: natural beauty, a slow-paced lifestyle, and Mexico's native peoples "Mexico" Mike Nelson

Have you ever found a place in Mexico that mirrors your own life? For me, it's Tamazunchale, San Luis Potosí. "Every bend of the road reveals a more stunning mountain panorama," gushed Nicki, a first... read more

San Luis Potosí

San Marcos fair: an opportunity to visit colonial Aguascalientes Diodora Bucur

Preparations are in full swing in Aguascalientes for the traditional Feria Nacional de San Marcos, a three-week spring fiesta the city of natural hot springs is best known for. About seven million rev... read more

Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes

December guava fair in Calvillo, Aguascalientes Diodora Bucur

When I first saw guava fruit I mistook it for lemon. It happened on my first trip to Aguascalientes during the summer rainy season when a tree — its branches loaded with tiny round yellow fruit in t... read more

exploring-tourism fiestas-traditions Aguascalientes

Durango's colonial architecture: eleven quarry stone gems Jeffrey R. Bacon

Many of the city of Durango's important architectural gems, some dating back to the 16th century, still stand today; they provide a colonial backdrop for Durango's strolling residents and tourists alike. read more

architecture exploring-tourism Durango, Durango

Aguascalientes' Museum of Death welcomes you Diodora Bucur

As October draws to an end, a period of profound mysticism dawns in the heart of Mexico, a time to remember the departed but not without joy. In the hometown of José Guadalupe Posada, festivities are already well underway days before the November 2 Day of the Dead. read more

day-of-the-dead fiestas-traditions museums Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes

The state of Chihuahua, Mexico: resource page Mexconnect Staff

Chihuahua is a land of magnificent scenery — mountains, canyons, deserts and fresh, clean, clear air. Its spectacular canyons are the biggest in North America. Within the canyons are beautiful waterfalls, one of which is the highest in Mexico. Chihuahua also contains fertile valleys — orchards and cropfields that were coaxed from the desert by the persistence of hardworking, warm, and loyal people. read more

index-page Chihuahua

A quest for hidden treasure in Chihuahua Joseph A. Serbaroli, Jr.

You might say that it all began on an ordinary day in New York - the treasure hunt, that is. My 23 year old daughter Elise was just back from Spain where she had been teaching English to grade school s... read more

art artists historical-sites Chihuahua, Chihuahua

Guadalupe in Zacatecas: masterpieces of colonial art Jane Ammeson

Guadalupe's real treasure is the magnificent Church of the Virgin of Guadalupe with its three chapels and a convent, home to Franciscan monks. Part of the convent has been turned into the Museo de Guadalupe. It is one of the largest collections of religious art in North America. read more

architecture art exploring-tourism Zacatecas, Zacatecas

Zacatecas style enchiladas: Enchiladas zacatecanos Karen Hursh Graber

The word "zacatecano" used to describe a dish quite often indicates that it contains the combination of poblano chiles and cream. read more

pork masa main-dishes Zacatecas

Did you know? Chihuahua caves house the world's largest crystals Tony Burton

The world’s largest natural crystals (of selenite, said to enhance sex drive) have been discovered in caverns in Chihuahua. Early in 2001, news emerged of a truly extraordinary discovery in caver... read more

exploring-tourism geology Chihuahua, Chihuahua

Jerez, Zacatecas: a magical town Jane Ammeson

Though most of the town is lovely, it's the historic section, dating back to when the town was founded in 1536 and centered around the Rafael Paez Garden, that creates a feel of wandering back into tim... read more

exploring-tourism Jerez de García Salinas, Zacatecas