14 Years, 56,130 miles, 18 U.S. States, 4 Countries and never leaving us stranded the ´86 VW Vanagon (The Vanagator) proved to be the perfect choice for our travels in North and Central America.
Click pics to enlarge...
While I was very hesitant to sell her, I had reached a point where I convinced myself that now was the optimal time. Many parts for the motor are not available here in Mexico so had something gone wrong it would have been very costly to make repairs. Also, the 10 year permit was slowly winding down. So after the decision was made, I put out an ad on the Samba and had a bunch of offers within hours. It came down to some lucky guy who was more than willing to fly down from Minnesota to meet up with us in Texas. So in June it was time for another 1,000 mile trip across Mexico to the US. Its always such an adventure driving through Mexico and its incredible mountains and high desert.
We had to stop for a couple days at a desert resort up by Matehuala. A super cool 70's style resort.
It was right about 1,000 miles to San Antonio, Texas. While in Mexico, temperatures were mild. It wasn´t until close to the border that we started getting over 100 degrees, making for a pretty brutal drive, without A/C of course. The worst part of the trip is always the border, I wish we would just get rid of it.
Made it without any problems to San Antonio in four days. Met up with the buyer and sold the Vanagator that 105 degree Friday. Then found a hotel a few blocks from the Riverwalk.
We had never been to San Antonio before. Besides the brutal heat topping 105f we did have a great time. The Riverwalk is fantastic with its old huge cypress trees and palms. As I understand it the whole river is pumped to maintain its flow through the city. If not it would be totally dry.
We walked for miles along the river eventually finding the old historic Alamo mission/fort. This, of course, is where the Battle of the Alamo took place in 1836 where James Bowie (Bowie knife) and Davy Crockett died.
Had some great food there as well. Schilo´s German-Texan restaurant, I think, is the oldest restaurant in San Antonio and had some good sandwiches. Also some good Mexican of course...
The next day we headed over to the Tower of the Americas, which is a 750 ft (229 m. to top of the antenna) tower with an observation deck and a revolving restaurant!
The elevator took hardly anytime at all to get us up to the indoor observation deck at 579 ft (176 m). The views along with the blowing winds were great! There´s an outdoor viewing deck as well at 560 ft (170 m).
The fool that I am thought the tower was new, maybe within the last few years, but it was actually built as the theme structure of the 1968 World's Fair. I was one year old! At the top you can see forever. They have timeline photo wall and allot of historic photos, kinda like a museum up there too. Back down at the bottom you get a few short 3d movies included in your ticket....oh yeah
All in all San Antonio was a great way to spend a few days.
From there we flew to Illinois to see Jane´s family and for me to get a VA appointment.
Had a good time on the Rock and the Mississippi rivers there...
Then it was on back to Mexico for me. I caught a flight to Puerto Vallarta.....
We had driven by P.V. years ago but didn´t spend any time there. I´ve always wanted to go back and see the place and this was my opportunity. I got a nice hotel on the beach at El Pescadero...
My first day I headed for the pool for some laps early thirty, then took the hike up to the mirador way up the mountain. Here´s a pic looking southward.
The next day I hit the Naval museum and the Malecon (boardwalk)....
...and watched the Danza de los Voladores...I´ve seen this quite a few times now and its always a site to behold these guys hanging upside as they wind down the length of a tall pole playing instruments as they go....
Here´s a view from the second hotel I had...of course I never make reservations so I had to get another hotel after 3 nights because they got booked. It was also a nice hotel across the street from the beach.
The Malecon has some incredible art which blew me away...
Living up in the mountains for the last 7 years, I´ve been a bit spoiled and really felt the heat this summer in Texas and while at the beach. It can wear you down fast. I really enjoyed swimming in the ocean again though. The water was really warm, perfect. I swam long laps down the beach, about 20 meters offshore with my googles. I didn´t see many fish like down in Oaxaca where your basically swimming in an aquarium! Although its a pretty large town in this bay and allot activity. I did hear that further down away from town there are some good snorkel spots right off the beach.
I really enjoyed P. Vallarta and hope to go back someday soon. The food was awesome - there are allot of vegetarian restaurants and cool bars, fantastic art, music, everything you can want on the beach.
After a week it was time to head back home to Ixtac, but decided to make a pit stop in Mexico city on the way. I flew in early in the day and walked over to the subway train. Headed over to the Roma district and found a hotel. I was impressed after walking around for a few hours. I didn't take much time to plan anything out really - just went for it. I ended up seeing the The Angel of Independence...
and Diana the Huntress fountain, which I think was completed in 1942, among other things....
..the Altar de Patria...1952 the remains of General Felipe Santiago Xicoténcatl and the six cadets that defended the Old Colegio Militar during the US invasion, are within this monument. They fought for Mexico during the Mexican-American war in which the US invaded and essentially stole or annexed approximately one-third of Mexico's original territory from its 1821 independence.
I ended up staying only two days. I was surprised to see so many foreigners there. Here´s a few interesting facts; Mexico City is/has...
home to over 600,000 Americans!
nine archaeological sites and four UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites!
the oldest and the largest university in the Americas!
over 30 million international tourists every year!
I will make it a point to go back, especially since I live only four hours away.
Arrived safe and sound back home with Pico de Orizaba magnificently keeping watch over everything that happens here....
Till next time Amigos!
Saludos,
KT
