Orizaba, Veracruz

Sunset on the Pica de Orizaba.

 

The highest peak in Mexico and the 3^rd highest in North America at 18,491 feet.

At the base of this now extinct volcano, in a valley in the southern part of the Sierra Madre Oriental, we made our home in the city of Orizaba near the city center.

The gondola (aka teleferico in espanol) made it easy for us to reach the top of the Cerro Borrego (Goat Mountain)....

 .....for a panoramic view of the city.

During an afternoon stroll along the pedestrian walkway along the river we encountered ostriches, jaguars, toucans and more.

The architecture includes Spanish Colonial and Art Nouveau.

The Palacio de Hierro (Steel Palace) was designed by the legendary Gustave Eiffel. Evidently in 1889 this building was in an exposition in Paris, and in 1891 it was completely disassembled, shipped to Mexico and re-constructed in Orizaba.

Campfire Pie

So we wanted to do something special for the holiday, and something special for us usually includes food.  So why not a Criollo Lime Pie? We had and endless supply of these beautiful wild limes.

But no oven...now what?  Well if we can make pizza on the campfire...why not pie?  Kevin came up with the makeshift wood-fired, washtub oven.

MMMMMM Good!

Happy New Year!

Adventures in Xilitla, SLP

One day we followed the path of an arroyo through the forest and came across this sweet little resting spot.
 

After a short break we walked on and discovered an ancient stone trail and bridge leading to the pueblo.  

On another day we went exploring the Salitre cave with the girls from Distrito Federal.

And on another day we found this wonderful waterfall.

Living the good Life in Xilitla!

Wow, I can’t believe it is Dec 1^st already.  So many cool things are happening here in Xilitla we just don’t find much time for the computer.  Now, more than ever I think I’d love to have an internet ready smartphone just to keep connected.

Living here at the Finca Santa Monica...

we’ve met some really special people.

Each weekend brings new explorers on different paths.

Some young and some old.  Some arrive by bike and others come in familiar campers.

Here to experience the Huasteca Culture and see the waterfalls, the caves, the swallows, the Castle of Sir Edward James and more.

And then it is just the two of us living a good life.

 We hope you all are too!

The Mirador Walk

On this particular day we decide to walk a small road up from Las Posas.  After a few switchbacks we begin to see some views of Xilitla.  Higher up we have great panoramic miradors of town and the surrounding mountains.  On this clear day one realizes how beautiful this place is.  

Eventually we meet two old men in front of a palapa.  After talking awhile, Carmelo, a 75 year old, one armed man insists we follow him down an old trail of stones.   Carmelo leads the way down the very scenic trail past small houses of wood and cob.

By the time we reach the road at the bottom, he is gone.

Xilitla, SLP

November 6th and and we can´t leave Xilitla! We´ve been camped now for a week at a 90 acre coffee plantation walking distance to town.
Visited the surrealistic gardens of Edward James...

 

 The waterfalls and pools are as impressive as the concrete artwork. Great place for a dip!

San Luis Potosi

 The state of San Luis Potosi is proving to be place gushing with water.  We lucked out because the rainy season just ended the week before we arrived.  Near the town of Rio Verde we camped near an enormous thermal spring.  Cool days and warm water make it difficult to move on down the road......

...to Tamasopo, a place in the mountain valley where the days are warm and the water cold.  But not too cold for swimming.  At this camp spot we had our own private waterfalls.

The land of adventure...we had a beautiful hike to this waterfall.  Unfortunately, swimming was prohibited because of the high water levels during our visit.  Next time!

This is truly a special place if you like water!

And of course we always enjoy the metalwork.....

.....the people we meet

....and the history of Mexico!