tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78807952948493501252024-03-13T09:10:59.928-07:007000 Miles: A cycling tour from Alaska to PanamaThe world doesn't need another travel blog... but friends and family want one!
So here is a blog detailing my adventures on bicycle as I journey south from Anchorage Alaska to ....?Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12996123128989604910noreply@blogger.comBlogger117125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880795294849350125.post-37367143144522228172015-02-02T16:48:00.000-08:002015-02-02T16:48:03.014-08:00Day - 180ish to 183 Tuxtla Gutierrez (The End)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
December 22, 2014</div>
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Half a year on the road!</div>
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I've reached my final destination. It's not the destination I originally planned on, but then again I didn't plan to spend 3 whole months in Mexico and make a gigantic backwards S over the country mainland, or that I would and see so many amazing people and places that would slow me down. And that is not a complaint.</div>
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In Veracruz with a dwindling cash supply and a growing desire to get back to my teaching career (Those two factors are independent of each other, I swear!) I made the decision to buy a plane ticket for December 23, so that I could surprise my family on Christmas Eve. I never told my parents that I bought my airplane ticket. They don't know that I will be there for dinner with the family on Christmas Eve. I hope there are enough Sweedish meatballs. Lefse is going to taste funny after all the tortillas I've been eating! </div>
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I feel very content, although the last few days have been weird as I begin to make the transition from whatever it is that I do now to sleeping in the same bed, working, wearing more than 2 different shirts in a week, wearing jeans, wearing clean socks, showering with regularity, and generally being a normal person.</div>
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I arrived in Tuxtla Gutierrez a day ahead of schedule. This was fortunate because it turned out I needed that time in order to put my things together! Or apart, as is the case with the old stead. </div>
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Taking apart the bike. That's when things started to get weird. The moment I took out the mini tool and put the hex key in the bolt for the front rack the world started to get real soft and glowy, and sounds became soft and distant. I felt like I entered a dream and each bolt I took out pushed me deeper and deeper into it.<br />
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And then I got to the pedals, which are the most annoying things to remove. A high dosage of frustration brought the real world back into focus. But I've been drifting in and out of that surreal feeling ever since. I certainly felt it when "Hotel California" started playing from the speakers of the music store across from my hotel.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boxed bike!</td></tr>
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So the final total is 8,018 miles (12,904km) in 6 months. And what an amazing trip it's been. Although I know I will miss being on the road and part of me wishes I could do this forever, I'm ready to go home with a song in my head that's appropriate for the end of a long journey.<br />
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Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12996123128989604910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880795294849350125.post-7676024805217584202014-12-22T19:58:00.000-08:002014-12-22T19:58:08.999-08:00Day 170something-180ish: Ventanilla to Tuxtla Gutierrez<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The last week of riding has been everything to love about bike touring: gorgeous scenery, generous people, beautiful cycling roads, major milestones, and strange surprises, like this pet... anteater?.... that I encountered at a gas station. It was extremely tempermental. One moment it would be, literally, crawling all over your legs and then if you moved to quickly it would jump straight up and run away. It would cycle between manic gregariousness and extreme skittishness about twice every minute. I felt bad when I scared it and it jumped onto the table where another patron was trying to eat. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can someone identify what animal this is?</td></tr>
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My camera was dead when after taking photos of what I think is an anteater, but I made it to Salina Cruz where I tested the limits of mango consumption by eating 5 in one sitting.<br />
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The mangos by themselves are probably worth the cost of a round trip flight to Mexico for anyone considering a vacation.<br />
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The street market in Salina Cruz was right by my hotel, and I had fun going up and down looking at all the vendors and hearing the hustle and bustle of the city. The fact that I was not overwhelmed by a gigantic city tells me that I spent sufficient time at the beach. Good for me.<br />
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After Salina Cruz I turned inland. The stretch between Salina Cruz and the mountains is some of the windiest conditions I have bicycles in. It wasn't as bad as my Veracruz experience, but it was intense! I must have been expecting Veracruz level intensity because I didn't mind it at all and was able to make very good time despite a persistent and strong headwind.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You know you're in a windy area when the city is called "Windy" and they build windmills.</td></tr>
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While asking for a place to camp, a friendly mechanic offered to let me camp underneath his shop! I talked with him and his friends for a good while into the night. And in the morning I took advantage of a photo op.<br />
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I also talked with a construction worker who lived in Minneapolis for a number of years! We talked about the Twin Cities and the poor old Metrodome where he used to work. Fortunately he already knew it had been reduced to a giant pit so there was no grieving to do.<br />
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People are friendly. Some guy yelled at me, "Want a watermelon?" </div>
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I can't think of a kinder thing to say to another human being. And so he gave me a watermelon and I ate a fresh, locally grown watermelon in the middle of December. Never done that before!</div>
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And so all that was needed after double doses of kind strangers was to see some amazing scenery while traversing perfect cycling roads, which I got. For me, the road between Salina Cruz and Tuxtla Gutierrez has been a top cycling road. Maybe sans the windy part, although that wasn't bad. There was a climb up a mountain that was steep enough to be called climbing a mountain, but not so steep that I hated it. Just right for Tyler. And then at the top it gave way to rolling hills. And amazing views.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A real lake!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking across the plateau.</td></tr>
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Every so often in Mexico you come across some very cool murals. I very much enjoyed this one. Another pannel had a psychadelic sort of Jesus and Mary thing, but I liked this one best.</div>
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And then I hit 8000 miles. It happened to be on a hill. It happened to be on the final hill. It happened to be at the top of the final hill! It was by no means the toughest hill I've done, but it was 2 miles of pedal spinning. Just enough to make me work for it.<br />
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After 8000 miles it was all downhill to Tuxtla Gutierrez. I cruised with a dumb smile on my face, as shown below, the whole way.<br />
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And it was in Tuxtla that my poor old tire finally kicked the bucket. I noticed a ticking noise in rhythm with the wheels, and when I stopped to check it out, I was horrified to see a gigantic rubber tumor buldging out of the side of my tire. It was the most bizzare looking bicycle malfunction I've ever had, so I grabbed my camera to try and take a picture. Before I could get the camera to work the bubble burst with an earsplitting pop. Curiously the tire didn't deflate, and I was able to ride it the remaining 2 miles to my hotel. I thought I was seeing the innertube bursting through the hole in the tire, but now I have no clue what it was. I will report back after I replace the wheel and I can see exactly what the burst tumor was.<br />
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They say Schwalbe Marathons are the most durable tire. I say that if mine can hold up for over 2,000 miles after being sliced through the side, they are tough indeed!<br />
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<br />Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12996123128989604910noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880795294849350125.post-23600394737285348252014-12-22T19:06:00.002-08:002018-03-08T18:34:34.802-08:00Days 166-170something: Ventanilla<div>
From Puerto Escondido to Ventanilla I traveled about 42 miles. Not very far. And once I was there, I hunkered down for another extended stay. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fisherman netting fish between Puerto Escondido and Ventanilla.</td></tr>
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My first beach was La Ventanilla. I used this as my basecamp while I made day trips to the nearby beaches for the next four or five days.<br />
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I've really lost track of the date and days and all that.<br />
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It is an ecotourism spot that protects sea turtles, a lagoon containing crocodiles and endangered green iguanas. I did not know any of this when I went there. I just asked how much it was to camp, found the price agreeable, and then before I knew it a pair of French travelers were telling me about all these amazingly cool things. They first told me about the crocodiles that hang out at the edge of a lagoon. So we went and to my surprise there was a gigantic crocodile. Then as we were walking back they asked if I was going to watch the turtle "liberation" that was happening. I had no idea I would get to witness one of nature's great miracles happen before my eyes!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbU0S43_eRZsFhAo7kUNTNzOWcY2unt9_uB7GJPLm6zqXT7FE_yg9jIVtFgnD_BxREj9nh7bagqS8EXeR-Tbz5vuNk-KmECmWk2l0RPUe8L3FcSVf1s6IrVek1C9Dz3h1BvciPYiTAqXxv/s1600/DSCN6708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbU0S43_eRZsFhAo7kUNTNzOWcY2unt9_uB7GJPLm6zqXT7FE_yg9jIVtFgnD_BxREj9nh7bagqS8EXeR-Tbz5vuNk-KmECmWk2l0RPUe8L3FcSVf1s6IrVek1C9Dz3h1BvciPYiTAqXxv/s1600/DSCN6708.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crocodile at lagoon's edge.</td></tr>
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They have a fenced off area where they allow the endangered sea turtles to hatch without the danger of being preyed upon. Then in the evening, when predators are fewest, they gather the tourists, make a starting line and people watch as the little buggers scuttle towards the sea. It's funny to watch them go into the water and then get pushed back by a wave, and then get pulled down towards the sea again as the wave recedes.<br />
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La Ventanilla is an interesting place because they rely completely on the fees for tourism. The fees are well worth the experience. The guide explained that similar projects that are funded by the government tend to come and go depending on which politician gets elected, and by being independent they are able to operate my stably. The guide was really cool.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcl697MdwIlwwg6BtGxEj1eG56GbjHIPENvJj2DI6wAu1Z8vBxWMB4vGmUpZf1sO4x9ghTyEAJCoeBuououBgXHRDqPoZ5_FITwNmcBKzPJSc-EqdHdsDpFkQAIZ2frAShXqLMv77Qs1FM/s1600/DSCN6684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcl697MdwIlwwg6BtGxEj1eG56GbjHIPENvJj2DI6wAu1Z8vBxWMB4vGmUpZf1sO4x9ghTyEAJCoeBuououBgXHRDqPoZ5_FITwNmcBKzPJSc-EqdHdsDpFkQAIZ2frAShXqLMv77Qs1FM/s1600/DSCN6684.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gentle creatures of the sea, start your flippers....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCe3BOsJMw09wVYqwSsHODQyqZknKZU-_ugAFk1Kcz5kxvVSTawfppD28Hmx-xkNIjnb1OEBbkchQaIFdeebboBM8ZRnWRfLkehv34CLeU2bhKL_xp4FFCueTPScTp-nCuv2JEX0zaeoDT/s1600/DSCN6694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCe3BOsJMw09wVYqwSsHODQyqZknKZU-_ugAFk1Kcz5kxvVSTawfppD28Hmx-xkNIjnb1OEBbkchQaIFdeebboBM8ZRnWRfLkehv34CLeU2bhKL_xp4FFCueTPScTp-nCuv2JEX0zaeoDT/s1600/DSCN6694.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Go!</td></tr>
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The turtles were the night I arrives. I spent the next day wandering the beach, reading, and going on a short but amazing tour of the lagoon. As I said, the guide was very knowledgeable. He spoke very fast, but I was proud to be able to understand everything he said! My Spanish has improved after all!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mS_WRcHteveMNzGEkF5sEG_R6zZUH1sEknXARYUDImUkXv2_SEUfPd-RVDVyGQW3OlGcP-Rg9V0RV59buwRB65oFiGKEQBf2QjSzWmELkOWNWcuP4DwoNpZ-N22nHJiSD4gL04YXLZgD/s1600/DSCN6720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mS_WRcHteveMNzGEkF5sEG_R6zZUH1sEknXARYUDImUkXv2_SEUfPd-RVDVyGQW3OlGcP-Rg9V0RV59buwRB65oFiGKEQBf2QjSzWmELkOWNWcuP4DwoNpZ-N22nHJiSD4gL04YXLZgD/s1600/DSCN6720.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The largest crocodiles in the lagoon are 9 meters long. This was one of the bigger ones.</td></tr>
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I got to see these crazy little critters. They are endangered because of habitat loss and because they are delicious to eat. I did not build any roads across their lagoon, or cut down any of the mangrove trees that they live in. I also did not eat any. I did my best to be a friend to these beautiful creatures.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5xzxHBDoWY4nJtkAkbTg1xK8Uh1JjyZ4-XQSM355VgRG6DZD3MMUn3LOp9lG66NpgtY7YWDMrs_2d04HzPG1WJCUL8crQ-_q9TVpXhpmYNqfftytwXL_xhkTMF9YmckOSMBCRxeIvABS/s1600/DSCN6728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5xzxHBDoWY4nJtkAkbTg1xK8Uh1JjyZ4-XQSM355VgRG6DZD3MMUn3LOp9lG66NpgtY7YWDMrs_2d04HzPG1WJCUL8crQ-_q9TVpXhpmYNqfftytwXL_xhkTMF9YmckOSMBCRxeIvABS/s1600/DSCN6728.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The male is the larger, orange one. The females are smaller and green. They are all green iguanas.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGA7G41gqdAXm075XcJjZIJaxFyMrSiZFnUEPWqAtgq8WLwm4ENoo-R2_ETQPrQSRBouRL459x_rSIeBu1ChCbU9bhcVFhe4lfRVVT2047yo5qOi91KadLoROu3Bx5Sx-GKrsFvUuX2bz9/s1600/DSCN6733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGA7G41gqdAXm075XcJjZIJaxFyMrSiZFnUEPWqAtgq8WLwm4ENoo-R2_ETQPrQSRBouRL459x_rSIeBu1ChCbU9bhcVFhe4lfRVVT2047yo5qOi91KadLoROu3Bx5Sx-GKrsFvUuX2bz9/s1600/DSCN6733.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This male iguana apparently wants to mate with me!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRExUCHuJbsCHcGNXNXCbZbFOLtHoRFH_2RjSvIjQ7SS0fKUfB25X78YS-_qdHjhtu6ihv78zmFaOhsCUj6jOyXjfVhKxTN6eh15arzfvhX2lm7MIKW-2BKf7Wgw5hnHQMs5SqNHHokh8u/s1600/DSCN6746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRExUCHuJbsCHcGNXNXCbZbFOLtHoRFH_2RjSvIjQ7SS0fKUfB25X78YS-_qdHjhtu6ihv78zmFaOhsCUj6jOyXjfVhKxTN6eh15arzfvhX2lm7MIKW-2BKf7Wgw5hnHQMs5SqNHHokh8u/s1600/DSCN6746.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A turtle sunning itself on a log.</td></tr>
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So that was what I did my first day. My second day, I set out to find the fabled "Zipolite." Zipolite was recommended to Daisy, Jason, and I by a man we met our last night together in a Hostel in San Miguel Allende. He said it was great because a bunch of hippies live and/or visit there and who smoke marijuana and walk around naked at the nude beach. I did not partake in the marijuana, but of course I did do a little skinny dipping. I did not want to go through a case of sunscreen so this was a short lived thing.<br />
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That same day I met Ruth and Will, (not at the nude beach) who are cyclotourists from London! They are in for the real long haul, coming up from Brazil. They have been on the road for over a year. Way over a year. They are journalists and so you know <a href="http://www.contoursofacountry.com/" target="_blank">their blog</a> is worth checking out.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4f-Cn76jMy00X9x0AWFkcc-QeZbYZNOGFY1ymQoebVjAgEyCzBV6ygQbog-QP9-VTUZDDcEyuxUM5aaKxbOzalkqzZIRr8MtRWMFGNEmEA16hUE0JxGPv3s5P8YmRLF9FEsOnuAEb0Xlh/s1600/DSCN6760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4f-Cn76jMy00X9x0AWFkcc-QeZbYZNOGFY1ymQoebVjAgEyCzBV6ygQbog-QP9-VTUZDDcEyuxUM5aaKxbOzalkqzZIRr8MtRWMFGNEmEA16hUE0JxGPv3s5P8YmRLF9FEsOnuAEb0Xlh/s1600/DSCN6760.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Agustina beach at sunset.<br />
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After chilling in Zipolite for a day, I decided that for my last day I would rent a surf board and learn to surf. This was a bad idea because surfing is hard. I was cocky thinking that because I get good at every sport I try I would be able to get up on a surf board by the end of the day. I was wrong. After an hour long lesson I was on my own. Because my instructor didn't tell me how to how to read them the probability of me even getting a chance to stand up was diminished significantly. Two hour later I decided that I would need another week of surfing to be successful. It left a bad taste in my mouth, so I decided to stay another day so that I could have a positive experience to remember my last day at the beach by.<br />
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I decided to go on the whale/seaturtle/dolphin watching, cliff jumping, snorkeling tour. I am glad I did because I was able to see dolphins, a giant sea turtle, a GIANT sea turtle, and go snorkeling. We weren't lucky enough to see a whale, so to make up for it our guide did a legitimate cliff dive. The rock he jumped off is 2-3 times higher than the one we jumped off. It was impressive and reminded me of Casa Bonita in Denver, Colorado. I have to say this was way better than Casa Bonita in every way. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWmlvs-TiFP94hrB3yBbGhKgTFwFl6TbsChxgkziExfOPbxWVXmv_sqolXaQTSnJARDDhvcB9pLm7pczwKCLbbIUYx03r1n-k3qZU6pa8QxeKGMYgaCBScO31WXhwFT6qYICchguWgKap/s1600/DSCN6780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWmlvs-TiFP94hrB3yBbGhKgTFwFl6TbsChxgkziExfOPbxWVXmv_sqolXaQTSnJARDDhvcB9pLm7pczwKCLbbIUYx03r1n-k3qZU6pa8QxeKGMYgaCBScO31WXhwFT6qYICchguWgKap/s1600/DSCN6780.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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So after 5 or so days on the beach, I decided it was time to get a move on.<br />
While typing this I had a sudden realization: The Pacific Ocean has been a recurring theme on this trip. I have seen a lot of the west coast coast! Anchorage is on the ocean, I saw it again in Canada when I took the ferry from Prince Rupert down to Vancouver Island, then the Washington coast, then San Diego, then multiple visits in Baja, then Mazatlan, then finally Oaxaca. For an inland dwelling soul that is a lot of saltwater! It's been great, Pacific ocean. Goodbye!</div>
Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12996123128989604910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880795294849350125.post-80344072638532642792014-12-09T19:02:00.002-08:002014-12-22T16:17:43.004-08:00Days 163-165: Pueblos Manconmunados to Puerto Escondido<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After a wonderful time in the tranquil mountains of Oaxaca, I decided that my bike may be in danger of breaking an axle or derailleur on the unbelievably steep and rocky roads. My bike is designed for pavement and light gravel, not trampling over mountains with 50 pounds of extra crap tied to it. </div>
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I regreted that decision as soon as I was back on a busy highway huffing exhaust from passing vehicles. When you are in a perfect place, you forget about all the things that make it perfect. </div>
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But there was no way I was going to climb back up the mountain, so I kept going in search of the next big thing. The next big thing turned out to be the world's largest tree. But wait, I thought I saw the largest tree in Sequoia NP? And I thought my other cycling friends saw the largest tree in Redwood NP? Well turns out it all depends on how you define it. In Sequoia, they are very diplomatic and most plaques say "The largest tree in the world by volume." Here, they just say "The largest tree in the world." But let it be known that Thule tree is the largest tree by girth of its trunk.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8svvthAlIjqhohs2lAQQp68PGKoa7YpYY99KDTa6qTV-ph3hkriSknV7KiHe9FUI9XAOpWuvYwD5kpa8siMU_3sq_eBwndWLkRXp_oUHCAics9F19QHJK4HsNecrXUgxSdf0WyRS3Ux9l/s1600/DSCN6609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8svvthAlIjqhohs2lAQQp68PGKoa7YpYY99KDTa6qTV-ph3hkriSknV7KiHe9FUI9XAOpWuvYwD5kpa8siMU_3sq_eBwndWLkRXp_oUHCAics9F19QHJK4HsNecrXUgxSdf0WyRS3Ux9l/s1600/DSCN6609.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">European tour bus riders. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPLjEhWefgHCwhoSfVB8VxDUG4nqewPkcpeNQkWTTLn9-HlgyIOv7DOd5qRwQBs5izKE6Bpv0Y3cPGcaRGCVU6WtBQhKvysMddSH2q_IpSZhooc0Cy5hy3SK3l-bTJ8zYRZ4CH9gSmL8S/s1600/DSCN6613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPLjEhWefgHCwhoSfVB8VxDUG4nqewPkcpeNQkWTTLn9-HlgyIOv7DOd5qRwQBs5izKE6Bpv0Y3cPGcaRGCVU6WtBQhKvysMddSH2q_IpSZhooc0Cy5hy3SK3l-bTJ8zYRZ4CH9gSmL8S/s1600/DSCN6613.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This elicits the child in me to imagine all sorts of things. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnJioAXv9tOKsAq5A221hN5Y-E99ZEfp2qpLfZR2dWchaxCmz4Raa8FO5WunX10vd0Me7ksniufu8AQ-h3czm3hCOpXVIx1-M6YCZbToeMWAdgqljNO7O8-l-5C3Ehy80lgc6__xnEM5s/s1600/DSCN6621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnJioAXv9tOKsAq5A221hN5Y-E99ZEfp2qpLfZR2dWchaxCmz4Raa8FO5WunX10vd0Me7ksniufu8AQ-h3czm3hCOpXVIx1-M6YCZbToeMWAdgqljNO7O8-l-5C3Ehy80lgc6__xnEM5s/s1600/DSCN6621.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me standing in front of El Arbol de Thule</td></tr>
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I blew past Oaxaca, the capital city and went on to a more seculded section. I was not ready for modern civilization yet. But before I got too far out of the city, I decided that it was time to cut the beard. It just wasn't fun anymore.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikOKeQGU8qOPZsFDibyemsEpSGgmqfRbH8RICCqbXIMoo7jTBJxLnCKdV7X3IUEnvQdQs3rLJkOrC_ej9NK0Ld7hf5pD88i_B8zBLmJteEZsApQbKX3Ra2vcwx18IW_ifW1QNamLbFBTZG/s1600/DSCN6637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikOKeQGU8qOPZsFDibyemsEpSGgmqfRbH8RICCqbXIMoo7jTBJxLnCKdV7X3IUEnvQdQs3rLJkOrC_ej9NK0Ld7hf5pD88i_B8zBLmJteEZsApQbKX3Ra2vcwx18IW_ifW1QNamLbFBTZG/s1600/DSCN6637.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
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I felt very naked, but it was a relief to have it gone. I don't feel any remorse. I did feel a lot of razorburn, however.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-bkNCD9-f6YyJcP1MlUBLOw8cObw9AceUbwxt_o9VLen7SPOIWrOEfUx88GTdzdZru2E9oVABJRJumKzM0c080SgYRny41125Sp_Dm1oxPt5NYRTBcat7v2522MaAkYcrr6vgtHOVYII/s1600/DSCN6639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-bkNCD9-f6YyJcP1MlUBLOw8cObw9AceUbwxt_o9VLen7SPOIWrOEfUx88GTdzdZru2E9oVABJRJumKzM0c080SgYRny41125Sp_Dm1oxPt5NYRTBcat7v2522MaAkYcrr6vgtHOVYII/s1600/DSCN6639.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
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It took me a couple days to get all the way to the coast. After a day of easy riding, I encountered the western set of mountains, and boy were they rough. Many potholes plagued the highway, which was incredibly treacherous on the downhills, and in the places where they were repaird they did not smooth out the patches so it is like they decided to invert the pothole and turn it into a plateau! I decided that if it was time for my wheels to fall off, so be it.<br />
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They didn't fall off, it was just mildly annoying.<br />
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One fun thing that happened was that my timing coincided with a massive supported group ride from Oaxaca towards Puerto Escondido (but not all the way). Hundred of people accompanied me as I rode. What amazed me the most was that many of them were riding single speeds. Nothing against single speeds, but they are not usually the prefered choice of bikes for 15 miles of sustained climbs at 6 % or higher gradient. As a result many of them walked, but they never gave up. I was very impressed.<br />
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In addition to the company, some of the support trucks and vans gave me goodies as I was on my way. I don't know if they thought I was part of the group, or if they were just nice, but I got a sandwhich, oranges, soda-pop, red drank, and sweet bread. Not all at the same time though.<br />
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While riding with the group, we passed through a long stretch of nothing on the mountain. I assumed that because the other riders were still riding, a city must be close. I was wrong, and ended up having to ride through a rainstorm that turned into one of the most gorgeous sunsets I've ever seen because the sun lit up the clouds from below, making the entire sky yellow and orange, and against that backdrop you could see the individual raindrops falling through the sky. And of course all of this is happening while I careen down the mountain at 25 miles and hour trying to avoid the treacherous potholes I described earlier. For safety's sake and because I was feeling emotionally overwhelmed by all the beauty, I didn't take photos of the sunset. But I did get a photo of a massive rainbow.<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfv4IApL9WLPUiJ_jUtJKK9dP8Ab8GWnQbZXeK6rjF9As0WcPm7bn5YCyqEdw46hsw6bK9sSUjgzSQ8fZD8KLu5VitQ4yBBHNU_hdLsWpN-jBWye20h9EVJs24C_pi5CaX1X4pIYILeIq/s1600/DSCN6649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfv4IApL9WLPUiJ_jUtJKK9dP8Ab8GWnQbZXeK6rjF9As0WcPm7bn5YCyqEdw46hsw6bK9sSUjgzSQ8fZD8KLu5VitQ4yBBHNU_hdLsWpN-jBWye20h9EVJs24C_pi5CaX1X4pIYILeIq/s1600/DSCN6649.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I made it to the next city after dark, and was allowed to camp in a park where many shops and comedors were taking advantage of the huge number of visitors. The next morning I plodded onward up some more mountains, (see the pattern?) and then down, down, down to Puerto Escondido, a touristy citty that is famous all over the world for its beaches and surfing.<br />
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For over half the trip, I greeted mountains with vigor and spirit. But the western range of mountains in central Mexico were my undoing. Now that I am on the Pacific Coast (again) I will proceed as slowly as possible to delay my inevitable reentry into the mountains.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1BHylO81zVGLpQDDFUQRo5n9_ECdOQQ706uWUARuNz4u9MP_2F-0ML1OSWf0dqQLjnLjhDZhYcftr1A-sea5JLnPxklyptP1cPsDMECDOEXQWqLE_CcSUc4R0ELWKL_pQaJVSCjeRDJl/s1600/DSCN6658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1BHylO81zVGLpQDDFUQRo5n9_ECdOQQ706uWUARuNz4u9MP_2F-0ML1OSWf0dqQLjnLjhDZhYcftr1A-sea5JLnPxklyptP1cPsDMECDOEXQWqLE_CcSUc4R0ELWKL_pQaJVSCjeRDJl/s1600/DSCN6658.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here are some photos that are interesting:<br />
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I may have posted this one already. I tried drying my socks over a fire in the mountains. This worked, but after they dried they very quickly started to melt the polyester/nylon. These were my only socks. I now must buy new ones.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflp5lMtjVdvhGqiogTY5b2cRSqGPrIqhkd7odtT88rtHGrwx5LlE1-6VzwhYWYoHrmiehiNrIitYy6jZ5VF0ASp9Edp820ohnp9qmuMfUEvEr4_R-T0KD3gVR6cfK1YzA5gaVpzZieAWF/s1600/DSCN6643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflp5lMtjVdvhGqiogTY5b2cRSqGPrIqhkd7odtT88rtHGrwx5LlE1-6VzwhYWYoHrmiehiNrIitYy6jZ5VF0ASp9Edp820ohnp9qmuMfUEvEr4_R-T0KD3gVR6cfK1YzA5gaVpzZieAWF/s1600/DSCN6643.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Each region has their own style of taxis. Some of them are motorcycles with wagons attached. This area uses tri wheeled... things. </div>
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Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12996123128989604910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880795294849350125.post-34661233989562361972014-12-08T18:37:00.001-08:002014-12-08T18:37:46.433-08:00158-162: Los Pueblos Manconmunados<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After leaving Llano de los Flores, I made my way for a group of small pueblos of indiginous people known collectively as "Los Pueblos Manconmunados." Together, they have created an ecotourism industry that is well organized. I have been looking forward to this since Daisy and Jason told me about them over a month ago! </div>
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I was not disappointed when I got there. The villages are remote and there are very few cars and traffic. Although I had to walk my bike up many of the hills because they were so steep and bumpy, I didn't mind because it was so beautiful and relaxing. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2xsVdGUeYziQClPAFEMnUmNIRjGk5q7IHFekLh3jvh0fyoPWQlpPKc2BDOD7M6GgJvnAhV5FV_ZHrC9DL-e1cP3uN3maaAuS7DP1S_Msnx4ZSi10g8uSJzXwus4kTlelkKG7q2EFfBjn/s1600/DSCN6476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2xsVdGUeYziQClPAFEMnUmNIRjGk5q7IHFekLh3jvh0fyoPWQlpPKc2BDOD7M6GgJvnAhV5FV_ZHrC9DL-e1cP3uN3maaAuS7DP1S_Msnx4ZSi10g8uSJzXwus4kTlelkKG7q2EFfBjn/s1600/DSCN6476.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evil road. No potholes, but there are many sharp rocks and it is very steep. </td></tr>
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The first town was called Amatlan. I set up camp, read my book, and admired the magestic nature of mountains. This admiration was heightened by the last three days of climbing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3UoTqfXSk1efZaWI8l7FDgF79GLHN7B8NXcmaHsWLp4A31CeCcqAv4qIOk00HDHcv-1DG5btToDc7DzmjabGnXHZrTI2lqSq8BPow5IOzV-b-gTLI9pu0Y_DMVA52zZd3oXHjaw0H60h/s1600/DSCN6494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3UoTqfXSk1efZaWI8l7FDgF79GLHN7B8NXcmaHsWLp4A31CeCcqAv4qIOk00HDHcv-1DG5btToDc7DzmjabGnXHZrTI2lqSq8BPow5IOzV-b-gTLI9pu0Y_DMVA52zZd3oXHjaw0H60h/s1600/DSCN6494.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Campsite in Amatlan. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mine from 1910 that you can enter until a rubble pile blocks your way 60 yards in.</td></tr>
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The next day I went to Yavesia. The road was awful and I did a lot of walking, but luckily it is less than 10 miles away.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwll1ZZkXhjkJCjyUW0lTIhfHOPTS3vYSfJ8VEdUsr0e_pKnouptKkBG8d1DAPRXniRW2gya_MIILRJDaHhW0tVLzfLn2SiroFt4jec5h3IBt9G0XG4OGfn2Ly4DBRBDeAAbYKSe5D9SSY/s1600/DSCN6514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwll1ZZkXhjkJCjyUW0lTIhfHOPTS3vYSfJ8VEdUsr0e_pKnouptKkBG8d1DAPRXniRW2gya_MIILRJDaHhW0tVLzfLn2SiroFt4jec5h3IBt9G0XG4OGfn2Ly4DBRBDeAAbYKSe5D9SSY/s1600/DSCN6514.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More evil roads, made even more evil by slippery water.</td></tr>
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In Yavesia I hired a guide to show me around the city. Things got weird when he took me to his house and the professional-customer relationship started looking more like a friendly host-guest relationship. I rolled with it while worrying about what sort of bill I was racking up.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQr6DmLvR0z20iBlAx7IaH10BeknSOSAK38Pfq9Peo0yNO5C0_XJuxdeFqZOfasb_TTzzZDiVgZqPpEvVlzxIeeQU-W1heqNhoJu9RKEkSFtYPbVmtT_r572EmlUbKxqXt4pNszACu1DRQ/s1600/DSCN6515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQr6DmLvR0z20iBlAx7IaH10BeknSOSAK38Pfq9Peo0yNO5C0_XJuxdeFqZOfasb_TTzzZDiVgZqPpEvVlzxIeeQU-W1heqNhoJu9RKEkSFtYPbVmtT_r572EmlUbKxqXt4pNszACu1DRQ/s1600/DSCN6515.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helped deshell chocolate beans and walnuts.</td></tr>
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The guide let me stay on his porch, which he said would be warmer than the ground. His wife also cooked me dinner, and then breakfast in the morning. All my worry about the cost was unfounded, he was just being very hospitable!<br />
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The next morning I took his advice and hired a car to take my stuff to the next village so that I could walk through the forest with the guide and get to see what that was all about. It was the steepest hike I've ever been on. I was glad I had a guide because the trail is completely unmarked, and there are many branches that you could get lost on. Also, Israel has a deep knowledge of the nature there and is passionate about sharing it. I learned a lot about the plants, the history of the place, and the animals that live there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRef5ZUZSyJ79brPoxiPjZAoHLnOMadq7eXbWADWaZ2kXAeUfmp1LhwOOUx5FB7s2a2pSmwVHx2yWwLAAOLnNb-Mf1onnZdxjZbJ0VPCprL65VDDiygkEybezHK6yTGHR2lhT_ikHQs6UY/s1600/DSCN6521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRef5ZUZSyJ79brPoxiPjZAoHLnOMadq7eXbWADWaZ2kXAeUfmp1LhwOOUx5FB7s2a2pSmwVHx2yWwLAAOLnNb-Mf1onnZdxjZbJ0VPCprL65VDDiygkEybezHK6yTGHR2lhT_ikHQs6UY/s1600/DSCN6521.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using a scythe to break open walnuts.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrpDi_Q5Rz5qrMZaC-oVxM1mfH8b6E04IYs_HOtcWYQk9X1cCHxEwUgJIhV3X4KVgML4GXQhf7DrqfBr1uCLzgGfnN5PabIjzRIlV8H0_PysH6RA3hoPACvGfbArje2DjePs96-hi48Q_/s1600/DSCN6522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrpDi_Q5Rz5qrMZaC-oVxM1mfH8b6E04IYs_HOtcWYQk9X1cCHxEwUgJIhV3X4KVgML4GXQhf7DrqfBr1uCLzgGfnN5PabIjzRIlV8H0_PysH6RA3hoPACvGfbArje2DjePs96-hi48Q_/s1600/DSCN6522.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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I slept in a rustic cabin in the middle of the woods at the trailhead that night. And the next morning I went on another hike with a different guide in Cuajimoloyas, but shorter and less intense.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHexNBl957DF06KUVOHz0FmKsXY2LpzIEoqbgwEN9OinmQmYGmXr0ZUV4MRERCoinEJnTsR2Go197NO8o2rgghw-VQAldGZDIWeSw2kNwPKakaVN4tq13i1MCzD3W3nQ6UnJzKJcEOsoQI/s1600/DSCN6527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHexNBl957DF06KUVOHz0FmKsXY2LpzIEoqbgwEN9OinmQmYGmXr0ZUV4MRERCoinEJnTsR2Go197NO8o2rgghw-VQAldGZDIWeSw2kNwPKakaVN4tq13i1MCzD3W3nQ6UnJzKJcEOsoQI/s1600/DSCN6527.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A medicinal plant, not to be confused with the plant used to make Mescal, a liquor sort of like Tequila.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhts7aVVElzOgqa3r3c7ZC5E5MvNWVbl9C24UXoGaXwXfe33WWWnXnWCn8vacli2Gd0yDYwznqV-krlNUjZGfF2Kt65-ZaiFPrSMBXHYeexb4N6x9axXhgECrYUalHsy5jKj5j8kfP2Y-Hs/s1600/DSCN6549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhts7aVVElzOgqa3r3c7ZC5E5MvNWVbl9C24UXoGaXwXfe33WWWnXnWCn8vacli2Gd0yDYwznqV-krlNUjZGfF2Kt65-ZaiFPrSMBXHYeexb4N6x9axXhgECrYUalHsy5jKj5j8kfP2Y-Hs/s1600/DSCN6549.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did not realize that there was no ruck underneath where I was standing until I saw this picture.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my general attitude while up in the area. Relaxed, content.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02Vd-XxzjPoMgJyd7JMpMhTkCPYAVZnq18ub_lXvpS-OhKmZEPJt0kaox4CSX6O2tpS7w15s0oE3VmobRvEy7Jq0-ocC38II_eTdVlzMRUsgewgqMZcuqxdSIYTrQa-FTrmY53dI9E28a/s1600/DSCN6578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02Vd-XxzjPoMgJyd7JMpMhTkCPYAVZnq18ub_lXvpS-OhKmZEPJt0kaox4CSX6O2tpS7w15s0oE3VmobRvEy7Jq0-ocC38II_eTdVlzMRUsgewgqMZcuqxdSIYTrQa-FTrmY53dI9E28a/s1600/DSCN6578.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coyote Canyon</td></tr>
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After the hike I went to the campground down yet another rocky, steep road. I rode the brakes the whole time and worried that I would bust a spoke, an axle, or break another rack. My bike is not designed for such roads. But nothing extreme happened and I made it to the camping area, which was also where they have a small trout farm and a kitchen to cook them in. I ate two. I got to help the woman net the fish out of the holding tank and watched as she prepared it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1bAIzOe6_vsomumwKZqH6mYz5BSTcmIfjihQEJMzWS_yZRh8liPTD4TE6Ks0JQi7aNHlzGKJRhYjpZAIFxVJIo9e1SW7b9jSW6-o1XOja3F8Y0fY5j96tLXTr1sS_UKZAAqUXceNsIhj/s1600/DSCN6593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1bAIzOe6_vsomumwKZqH6mYz5BSTcmIfjihQEJMzWS_yZRh8liPTD4TE6Ks0JQi7aNHlzGKJRhYjpZAIFxVJIo9e1SW7b9jSW6-o1XOja3F8Y0fY5j96tLXTr1sS_UKZAAqUXceNsIhj/s1600/DSCN6593.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instead of a swift bashing of the skull, she tapped the fish on the head "So it doesn't die quickly." I'm not sure what her reasoning is for wanting the fish to die a slow death, but it brought back memories of cleaning fish with various friends in the Boundary Waters and the jokes about the savagery of fish cleaning. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCT-kwJMj1q28tcF_Nd5rU7EhAOQBw_WIXRvnehXTcHrc7vljjOWDG-pd9le1i5duRy0j7lLgVldHSKt6T2-rxKP0RoG2JrIMSYB_jOREk-VXCPXHH5Uyo1dupGmSWRNfS-tdf7y-v9oKY/s1600/DSCN6592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCT-kwJMj1q28tcF_Nd5rU7EhAOQBw_WIXRvnehXTcHrc7vljjOWDG-pd9le1i5duRy0j7lLgVldHSKt6T2-rxKP0RoG2JrIMSYB_jOREk-VXCPXHH5Uyo1dupGmSWRNfS-tdf7y-v9oKY/s1600/DSCN6592.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The main big tank. They divert water from the stream, fill up the tanks, and then send the water right back in downstream.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xG6gnO6kJjF3ZOcKHk0AnNXvyzBNTtFrLUdewUw-my3CM6SB5y4ADMBuN0amud_Sb00y9EkeAsEvfgiLZgcAANkE0hhtKqtt8jcWv-0LQ0B791p5LEXFKc_naCDNIS0aV5ijbFjqgFlI/s1600/DSCN6596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xG6gnO6kJjF3ZOcKHk0AnNXvyzBNTtFrLUdewUw-my3CM6SB5y4ADMBuN0amud_Sb00y9EkeAsEvfgiLZgcAANkE0hhtKqtt8jcWv-0LQ0B791p5LEXFKc_naCDNIS0aV5ijbFjqgFlI/s1600/DSCN6596.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know Minnesota is colder right now, but it was still quite cold to be camping up here.</td></tr>
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I regret not staying longer, but I was worried that the poor roads were taking a toll on my bike and I couldn't risk having my bike malfunction. So I began my descent down the western slopes and on towards Oaxaca, the capital city of Oaxaca, the state.<br />
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Did I mention that I was camping at 3,200 meters? That's almost 10,500 feet. That's pretty high up there.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhK2kgb5zHSos1GMv1ht0g3uZ5Af_ZcCfHiSOklmcSaoM-MEH9MF0hlSyTOA7BRjmsQzL8IKUvETIZn4UNdLRiMiEmnXsodWwwuDQGao-3ooIjSkgHci_vp5mvUOUKEE1m5106O4_MtGSs/s1600/DSCN6602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhK2kgb5zHSos1GMv1ht0g3uZ5Af_ZcCfHiSOklmcSaoM-MEH9MF0hlSyTOA7BRjmsQzL8IKUvETIZn4UNdLRiMiEmnXsodWwwuDQGao-3ooIjSkgHci_vp5mvUOUKEE1m5106O4_MtGSs/s1600/DSCN6602.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12996123128989604910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880795294849350125.post-10476050968053545362014-12-08T17:50:00.002-08:002014-12-08T17:51:00.105-08:00Day 155-157: Tuxtepec to Llano de los Flores<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A few weeks ago I decided I was done with mountains. I promised to avoid them at all costs. This is an impossible promise to uphold in Mexico unless you limit yourself to the coast. I wanted to go to the Pacific Coast, which has been recommended to me by many people, so I broke my promise to myself and climbed the ridiculously steep, long, mountains once again.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitgA9I04WUfJDrbyNdSXyC34O-Jmt2Cng8qBuTvkQdtTo9Skbe4r6tnixpz11J_h7pnckYGksnukw1xcOnHZuwsYqolS52UC9q1M03JICD5t5_VCMKWEJZrUjQIRTUOiwT0s0Uexwc3YNO/s1600/DSCN6414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitgA9I04WUfJDrbyNdSXyC34O-Jmt2Cng8qBuTvkQdtTo9Skbe4r6tnixpz11J_h7pnckYGksnukw1xcOnHZuwsYqolS52UC9q1M03JICD5t5_VCMKWEJZrUjQIRTUOiwT0s0Uexwc3YNO/s1600/DSCN6414.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfalls are good for cooling off and rehydrating in.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBHuFZ-lXA1hYSA-g33YwnSj1a4JIxfLChN8iTxkCfQmRxFoOajXQyyatyWrVHndTmEergSCgsfrV8quPixnt-VAqQTMgKqgBJ_ebSmKJp-M8wURuMVussr9t7fSpeVba07n2PQs6qUWI/s1600/DSCN6424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBHuFZ-lXA1hYSA-g33YwnSj1a4JIxfLChN8iTxkCfQmRxFoOajXQyyatyWrVHndTmEergSCgsfrV8quPixnt-VAqQTMgKqgBJ_ebSmKJp-M8wURuMVussr9t7fSpeVba07n2PQs6qUWI/s1600/DSCN6424.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of green. And a waterfall.</td></tr>
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In a city just before the climb, I met a man named Surefin. He told me that if I made it to La Esperanza, a couple thousands feet up from where we were, that I should ask the woman at the first restaurant for him. I made it just in time before the sunset and the rain began. I found Surefin and he invited me into his house to spend the night. I was grateful for the bed and hot meal, even more so because it was so cold and rainy!</div>
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That was Thanksgiving Day. </div>
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I wasn't able to eat turkey, but I was able to see some living ones, and the kindness of strangers gave me yet another things to be grateful for. In addition to the things I am always thankful like friends and family and all those good things, I gave thanks especially for having the opportunity to do this trip, and for going for it to make it happen! So many amazing things have happened to me because of the trip I can't even count.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeding teh chickens and turkeys.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just the day before I was down in the valley.</td></tr>
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The day I left La Esperanza, it was cold. And rainy. It was the coldest day since the first week in Alaska. 40 degrees, windy, and wet. For some reason it was miserable, but it didn't make me as nervous as when I was in Alaska. It took a lot of yelling to the road and the rain to keep myself, if not sane, at least moving forward on the bicycle and towards a warmer place.<br />
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As in Alaska during my and Nic's days of toil and misery, there was a fortuitous restaurant at the top of the mountain with cheap coffee. I ate and drank 4 cups of coffee. I didn't necessarily want to drink so much coffee, but I really did not want to go back into the cold and rain. I got a little beligerant from all the coffee, chummed it up with some of the other patrons, and finally mustered up the courage to face the cold.<br />
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Alarmingly close to sunset I made it to this camp area. I couldn't see far enough to know which way to turn at the crossroads. I figured it out and eventually stayed at "Llano de los Flores." It is an overpriced ecotourism site, but I didn't mind.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFQpZLzSYrrD0rmKcM51HLceOJn8BtimrMRKuv0qDpMszX-D_hABCeKzLgAKyAvwLyO8_w-TVhxdIbb5TLNtbtLTL1ojTXAEGUV-Mweq3CvfexerYkeZUERbdGgUPO87g3Zpdi6Dr6bd9/s1600/DSCN6454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFQpZLzSYrrD0rmKcM51HLceOJn8BtimrMRKuv0qDpMszX-D_hABCeKzLgAKyAvwLyO8_w-TVhxdIbb5TLNtbtLTL1ojTXAEGUV-Mweq3CvfexerYkeZUERbdGgUPO87g3Zpdi6Dr6bd9/s1600/DSCN6454.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meadow in front of Llano de los Flores</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEk_gdkLIt5gHi_v24x8E41FGjGseGdaK9GUCdcFjJhXUJJpJb7jIKeJgqFPfgd24j2w2jjHlmmsGvhDcS_VVBqBEXAulsHUqF-1S8z3sbgwk75Z3afqtakFU79KyDye4ToS3xpC9seQ89/s1600/DSCN6460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEk_gdkLIt5gHi_v24x8E41FGjGseGdaK9GUCdcFjJhXUJJpJb7jIKeJgqFPfgd24j2w2jjHlmmsGvhDcS_VVBqBEXAulsHUqF-1S8z3sbgwk75Z3afqtakFU79KyDye4ToS3xpC9seQ89/s1600/DSCN6460.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same valley as photo above, but in the morning, with frost.</td></tr>
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In the morning I awoke and paid a guide too many pesos in order to take me on a hike. It was a good hike, and we got to see some caves, and a beautiful panoramic viewpoint. I stayed two nights so as not to destroy my legs on the impossible mountains.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzXZT6PP3zHCx7Qi-BVCT-pQDUFhyphenhyphen5L2JNWcc6ZV-ZXw_CK7AquMTG-ie090C5WyqlUL7u4bppTDLKpC6G6PJojMHcQXin2V6FfvTvwKRes8g20lcCwbTvV5FH9mtQ3ZqGDt-8WTYjHLt/s1600/DSCN6463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzXZT6PP3zHCx7Qi-BVCT-pQDUFhyphenhyphen5L2JNWcc6ZV-ZXw_CK7AquMTG-ie090C5WyqlUL7u4bppTDLKpC6G6PJojMHcQXin2V6FfvTvwKRes8g20lcCwbTvV5FH9mtQ3ZqGDt-8WTYjHLt/s1600/DSCN6463.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pasali? A moss that gorws on the trees. Very light and fluffy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3w9VoyGIh0zODAzjLZGMOcwL92yBQDAoby0leUAPC_Sl8NkS-cUXXkK_-VipLGdH82NTBnMTv7daRuHXRmajN32uELAVXNzhI-iMEbWzUu6GbCpYoEgbTiUnEOyiaGMD4BFUmNc2yokXK/s1600/DSCN6474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3w9VoyGIh0zODAzjLZGMOcwL92yBQDAoby0leUAPC_Sl8NkS-cUXXkK_-VipLGdH82NTBnMTv7daRuHXRmajN32uELAVXNzhI-iMEbWzUu6GbCpYoEgbTiUnEOyiaGMD4BFUmNc2yokXK/s1600/DSCN6474.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm disappointed this is so blurry. I'm in a cave. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5gZKKYE2H0s1Jp6m8HDK0KBcYljnroQZWLlFONng4e6oCAp2vn6JGfZf9yLuRbOMyNoG5AcmAoXZjs46o857YahuBntW68uRfEEiBE9jYyTmxK_NNlzrSlqDhrfbvMnfRSNyyX_FZQyIu/s1600/DSCN6465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5gZKKYE2H0s1Jp6m8HDK0KBcYljnroQZWLlFONng4e6oCAp2vn6JGfZf9yLuRbOMyNoG5AcmAoXZjs46o857YahuBntW68uRfEEiBE9jYyTmxK_NNlzrSlqDhrfbvMnfRSNyyX_FZQyIu/s1600/DSCN6465.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the mouth of the second cave.</td></tr>
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<br />Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12996123128989604910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880795294849350125.post-35350257596594705552014-12-08T17:23:00.004-08:002014-12-08T17:23:56.671-08:00Day 153-154 Veracruz to Tuxtepec<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It has been a long time since I've been able to update the blog. In fact, the last time I updated it I was on the Gulf of Mexico. Since then I have traversed Mexico's mountainous spine and am back on the Pacific coast. I can split up my adventures into three parts: Going to the mountains, the mountains, and coming down from the mountains. Here is what happened between Vera Cruz and the mountains.</div>
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<b>Going to the Mountains</b></div>
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Going out of Veracruz was very fast. The wind was incredibly strong. At times I was pushed uphill without having to pedal at all. This would have been a much more welcome boost if the road only went in one direction, and the wind wasn't prone to changes in direction and gusts. At lest fortunate times I had to lean perilously sideways just to not fall over (weird, right? leaning over to not fall over), and often it was hard to maintain a safe, straight path.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCXHN95QRW9FQMu2osXBwjpI0TR8DUVvF9fAzXfn_iFmcQ6llP5b5zE_BCMjlwhXllN9-KU_9SZEyKRtti55aJ0vMGJ-XS3ubaHTXovCA01hqLs2X3DoIxJ5skVz5dPTx3Qg5lGOZGa4d/s1600/DSCN6392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCXHN95QRW9FQMu2osXBwjpI0TR8DUVvF9fAzXfn_iFmcQ6llP5b5zE_BCMjlwhXllN9-KU_9SZEyKRtti55aJ0vMGJ-XS3ubaHTXovCA01hqLs2X3DoIxJ5skVz5dPTx3Qg5lGOZGa4d/s1600/DSCN6392.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Observe the wind.</td></tr>
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I have had extremely good luck with flats. I was much less cautious than many of my riding companions when it comes to avoiding road debris, and my tires aren't as tough as others, but I seem to get fewer flats. When I DO get flats, they are spectacular. First my tire gets a 1 inch slice on its side (over 2000 miles ago) and now a nail that went in through the top, and out through the side. I was able to patch it, and put a special "tire boot" on the tire. It has held up so far. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exit wounds.</td></tr>
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The region is known for sugar cane. In this one they are burning it. I don't know for what purpose, but it sounds really cool because you can hear the sugar crackling. It's like sap popping on a thousand logs at the same time. You can see the black specs of ash flying in the air. I'm sure my lungs are worse because of this.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I passed this slow moving tractor pulling sugar cane.</td></tr>
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In Tuxtepec I rented a hotel room. I inspected it and found the bed, faucet, and wifi to be functional and worth what they charged, so I paid and moved in. As I was about to lay down for bed, I though "Wow, the traffic is sure loud in the courtyard. I better shut the window." I went over and saw that there was no glass in the window pane. And so from now on I will check to make sure my hotels have glass in their window panes.<br />
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The oddest thing about Veracruz has been the coolness of the people. Coolness as in reserved and unhelpful. At a busstop I asked "Could someone help me find an ATM?" And one woman just looked away with headphones in, and a teenager sat with his sweater pulled over his ears like a turtle. I thought maybe this was an isolated incident, but I got odd responses in the next town when I asked for a hotel. It was an odd, complete change from what I have been accustomed to. I felt uncomfortable. Since then, after crossing the Veracruz/Oaxaca border, the people have been normal. Don't know if it was a regional thing, the weather, bad luck, or what. I feel much more comfortable now that the people are friendly and helpful again. </div>
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I also took the time to clean my filthy bike and put some new bling on my bike. Check out the gold chain. </div>
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<br />Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12996123128989604910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880795294849350125.post-64909229305293429762014-11-24T20:03:00.000-08:002014-11-24T20:03:10.990-08:00Day 148-152 Sierra Gorda to the Gulf of MexicoThe last week has been classic bicycle touring: Major frustration, a stroke of good luck, great roads, terrible roads, complete change of plans, beautiful sights, weird sights, new foods, new people and accomplishing a major milestone. <br />
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Some photos to demonstrate:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding through the jungle. I think it is still jungle.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ferry. The guys have a lever that the use on the cable to push the ferry across the river. Side note: The dog just hopped on and got off on the other side. I have no clue if the dog actually knows what she's doing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Share the road with trucks, motorcycles, cyclists, and machete wielding workers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridge and river</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of fields on very steep hillsides.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I learned to adjust the exposure on my camera so you can actually see the clouds, instead of just one big blob of white.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amapola China: my new favorite fruit. You crack open the peel and suck out the seeds. It's the sweetest, juiciest fruit I've ever had. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In addition to letting me stay in a vacant office space, they cooked me nopal con queso. Last time I tried to eat a cactus I ate it raw and it wasn't good.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIJYxmOyZZtS9WGEttLnXJpUKOdGD3yQ5xGWkJTQhD5_piIjJqzpuBPm8lAb2OZyBt9AELEvQl3uH7CVKt0FXzB0L71U9EDu1ltmWSZA1zhIkLk3yyfcydvJ55wmmhF2Wmsy38xGMZGJO/s1600/DSCN6259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIJYxmOyZZtS9WGEttLnXJpUKOdGD3yQ5xGWkJTQhD5_piIjJqzpuBPm8lAb2OZyBt9AELEvQl3uH7CVKt0FXzB0L71U9EDu1ltmWSZA1zhIkLk3yyfcydvJ55wmmhF2Wmsy38xGMZGJO/s1600/DSCN6259.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Gigantic statue to honor the orange workers of the region. Oranges and citrus are huge in this area.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange market. One of many escalators. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilo3Yc5digelDFbRA3TKMKPEIobKX59r_ovw5_VxU2YFeiRYYyN9305tlcl4WxaEfTnQp72JMKqYct282k_CRARf-OTQj4Z6OCuY_1z2tZhv51a2EMhtfeXTSnb_2mu4Ae_LG2RhKkcZdI/s1600/DSCN6265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilo3Yc5digelDFbRA3TKMKPEIobKX59r_ovw5_VxU2YFeiRYYyN9305tlcl4WxaEfTnQp72JMKqYct282k_CRARf-OTQj4Z6OCuY_1z2tZhv51a2EMhtfeXTSnb_2mu4Ae_LG2RhKkcZdI/s1600/DSCN6265.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy invited me to stay at his friends place. A little awkward but they were very generous, and I was able to practice my spanish a lot. It is getting much better.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLsSrcph2eR8Qti7I4Ckyoy-YupICtI13Gw9QB-rEAu5F4a3H1dxT9hK6VYnT3kXeIdKucYcsr2ab3CdyBLtcl1i2qdlJbIzG0Fmq_tEtP7eYXVCjNYO9c5ghKyTPoIXEkTo_F8pJTgHo/s1600/DSCN6270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLsSrcph2eR8Qti7I4Ckyoy-YupICtI13Gw9QB-rEAu5F4a3H1dxT9hK6VYnT3kXeIdKucYcsr2ab3CdyBLtcl1i2qdlJbIzG0Fmq_tEtP7eYXVCjNYO9c5ghKyTPoIXEkTo_F8pJTgHo/s1600/DSCN6270.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7000 miles! But I'm not in Panama yet? My grandma asked me if someone moved Panama. I think maybe I got lost.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXWIFmt8eMDPU4YDO_fV-bo_soSmoBya3gTjq0iK0HLJDWEpiGrww232zWcwX2N1dXrqzVcmE6kLY8NUNad8txYNQKQ8gnRUuq_Cuo074kiOTyM2T9vuflztSzGCsIpm6NwOaHwmrrG4L/s1600/DSCN6295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXWIFmt8eMDPU4YDO_fV-bo_soSmoBya3gTjq0iK0HLJDWEpiGrww232zWcwX2N1dXrqzVcmE6kLY8NUNad8txYNQKQ8gnRUuq_Cuo074kiOTyM2T9vuflztSzGCsIpm6NwOaHwmrrG4L/s1600/DSCN6295.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruins of Tajin. The largest structure they built was also the last. Both inspiring and foreboding.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOYx_us0WPUAiDqkgy_Qr-jbaRiwT-0-2oTi4I46jciSw9rBqy42KW214wpEyzzB1gniCuOc7rm1-1XMnDHDCphKMvZKVBgUBSnZe_KtVsvnEWcRibbxf6pV5Hw4dPVRvSzaNl3DQGi5z/s1600/DSCN6303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOYx_us0WPUAiDqkgy_Qr-jbaRiwT-0-2oTi4I46jciSw9rBqy42KW214wpEyzzB1gniCuOc7rm1-1XMnDHDCphKMvZKVBgUBSnZe_KtVsvnEWcRibbxf6pV5Hw4dPVRvSzaNl3DQGi5z/s1600/DSCN6303.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hill overlooking the excavated ruins of Tajin.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6DkcjC1P5o-lX0YZOvXSmCyaXseChVKVjv1CsxjwldqmxCsJhuq08Lo3UnyJS7aSj1VTdsjf9Vly2xq6tii0WSADEBQ6VgJa1ZF_4wNlgGGhipfQUev7SW0snILgAlbuT2ALdqCVg1Gn/s1600/DSCN6341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6DkcjC1P5o-lX0YZOvXSmCyaXseChVKVjv1CsxjwldqmxCsJhuq08Lo3UnyJS7aSj1VTdsjf9Vly2xq6tii0WSADEBQ6VgJa1ZF_4wNlgGGhipfQUev7SW0snILgAlbuT2ALdqCVg1Gn/s1600/DSCN6341.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made it to the beach! Yay.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQBix_ozttJ-Yq2eOSkG_pGvBrl5h-NMV_KRp0-VH30Qcm6NhXo69U0BJfqbbae_5PvFbqQSQI8N7yfDmWr7e4inSvw303r_smORCSxOdFpDlHfEEc8sc1mIkIEfCbJ0i-krBx11MKKc-/s1600/DSCN6345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQBix_ozttJ-Yq2eOSkG_pGvBrl5h-NMV_KRp0-VH30Qcm6NhXo69U0BJfqbbae_5PvFbqQSQI8N7yfDmWr7e4inSvw303r_smORCSxOdFpDlHfEEc8sc1mIkIEfCbJ0i-krBx11MKKc-/s1600/DSCN6345.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Topless sunbather 1</td></tr>
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As I type this I am in Anton Lizardo. Tomorrow I will head south towards Oxaca, and spend some more time in the mountains.<br />
<br />Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12996123128989604910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880795294849350125.post-598896557135736002014-11-24T19:10:00.002-08:002014-11-24T19:10:28.254-08:00Day 146-147: Sierra Gorda<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="text-align: start;"> The Sierra Gorda is a place of incredible beauty. My first day I enjoyed sunny weather. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qvb2V8TrdTyOfLP5JFMDA80yH62rByFUl0LkZrFa4jzV75MLvW_ppGRxUSjyUSPZtBHzk5qyTk1J3hacJdTCE_Kh7oqNime77eRSM5Y8RAk8anxv9ZLqksyMpCk2DFMN3fZIvYuFa14O/s1600/DSCN6156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qvb2V8TrdTyOfLP5JFMDA80yH62rByFUl0LkZrFa4jzV75MLvW_ppGRxUSjyUSPZtBHzk5qyTk1J3hacJdTCE_Kh7oqNime77eRSM5Y8RAk8anxv9ZLqksyMpCk2DFMN3fZIvYuFa14O/s1600/DSCN6156.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Average view from road. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIC0_4ZKZgGtgbzrmswT0SrRouGQpO2zjtdfP55EsydKQHKoNSYR8I0lRLBfnEOkMJZAqAImBzYGPzlLAvpddKto5C73QS89UGLsslnfO3X-TwygoNf9Dc1SntvbueiN6L-pL6bOwE9LT/s1600/DSCN6160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIC0_4ZKZgGtgbzrmswT0SrRouGQpO2zjtdfP55EsydKQHKoNSYR8I0lRLBfnEOkMJZAqAImBzYGPzlLAvpddKto5C73QS89UGLsslnfO3X-TwygoNf9Dc1SntvbueiN6L-pL6bOwE9LT/s1600/DSCN6160.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road to Cascade el Chuveye</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cascade El Chuveye</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYO9YqQB-1L_OsDVze62tbHIUMLcRK8XNPNqqQuoPtTe7VdGj6Rqr_GfmT4no_tOjqFRmfM3vn8hNiCrKswyXfX3CAW9Z9DllIDZBX3CON9JiVSllvXyll1VV8_-4VmrZLfCotERAyUePg/s1600/DSCN6183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYO9YqQB-1L_OsDVze62tbHIUMLcRK8XNPNqqQuoPtTe7VdGj6Rqr_GfmT4no_tOjqFRmfM3vn8hNiCrKswyXfX3CAW9Z9DllIDZBX3CON9JiVSllvXyll1VV8_-4VmrZLfCotERAyUePg/s1600/DSCN6183.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't expect the park for the waterfall to be used as a grazing grounds, but it is!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEVPfl6r-HGy1wQzEw0mQa5xhudR8d6FsRg2t4sEthLixZSu7evvmGKSHxR1MuHjwf_pkRvLJ5n_n5nUCqOTFYqc547lbKOja5ZrKrSknR3WIrn2AkWWQPpxeCljqSDFwnR3l0QvZe0Nr/s1600/DSCN6185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEVPfl6r-HGy1wQzEw0mQa5xhudR8d6FsRg2t4sEthLixZSu7evvmGKSHxR1MuHjwf_pkRvLJ5n_n5nUCqOTFYqc547lbKOja5ZrKrSknR3WIrn2AkWWQPpxeCljqSDFwnR3l0QvZe0Nr/s1600/DSCN6185.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Folliage</td></tr>
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On my second day, I did not have good luck with the weather. As one would expect, it rained in the rainforest. Dense fog made visibility very poor, and the roads were slick. Add to those two conditions steep winding roads and traffic and things can get bad.<br />
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I did have good luck with people. I hadn't gone more than 3 miles when a truck stopped. Unlike the last truck that stopped for me, a scary stranger did not get out and tell me to get in. Instead, it was a warm showers host that I had messaged but was unable to stay with. He offered to take me to Xilitla, which was over 70 km away. Puro subido. So I cheated again, but I do not regret it at all because of the dangerous riding conditions, and because Rodrigo, the warm showers host, was so wonderful.<br />
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Basically, he has changed the scope of my trip. I have been thinking over when I want to end my trip, and how much money I want to have left over, and been worrying in general about being in a rush to get to Panama. Also I officially burned myself out of mountains. I want to avoid them like Ebola.<br />
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With Rodrigo's help, I changed my route through Mexico to include a little of the central Gulf coast, the Pacific coast again, and the southern mountains in Chiapas. I will not make it to Panama this trip, and I am happy with that. I would rather spend the remainder of my time and money enjoying Mexico than rushing to an arbitrary destination.<br />
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Rodrigo and I drank coffee, made notes in my map, and talked cycling and Mexico. I am very glad we were able to meet up. I rode 3 total miles on my bike that day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWE0s16E-W1XJ0kVuJVdzq5_AvdZVsATfDyfweAaFOk9V6v8eYabvHfuv58OFvFx1oDAFO3jj00oQSFqkFwiVj0XzYVDyvvSroDYRUhNFMsfR2vFZdeIdCG1kZWqfhMjxFhWwhCqCTZyyN/s1600/DSCN6199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWE0s16E-W1XJ0kVuJVdzq5_AvdZVsATfDyfweAaFOk9V6v8eYabvHfuv58OFvFx1oDAFO3jj00oQSFqkFwiVj0XzYVDyvvSroDYRUhNFMsfR2vFZdeIdCG1kZWqfhMjxFhWwhCqCTZyyN/s1600/DSCN6199.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Town of Xilitla in fog and rain.</td></tr>
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Before leaving, I got directions to a campground on a ravine. I paid 50 pesos and because no one else was there and it was raining, the owner let me stay in one of the primitive cabins.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZAvrtEsQajxavx9Ojx4p6Os7t9IXV1xlzqPSUF8CpFrmupNoZM1FIu3M4yMiS-A8DyHFKujG_iiAzvIRr0lU9EB165uMGZjDENvV3_qEb7OHsBnlZSyp2vr05cMhRlGJZ-FHJhg6Kws0/s1600/DSCN6200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZAvrtEsQajxavx9Ojx4p6Os7t9IXV1xlzqPSUF8CpFrmupNoZM1FIu3M4yMiS-A8DyHFKujG_iiAzvIRr0lU9EB165uMGZjDENvV3_qEb7OHsBnlZSyp2vr05cMhRlGJZ-FHJhg6Kws0/s1600/DSCN6200.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An endearing little road leading to my campsite.</td></tr>
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<br />Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12996123128989604910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880795294849350125.post-45536563550443593762014-11-24T18:34:00.002-08:002014-11-24T18:34:58.165-08:00Day 144-145: Sierra Gorda, or, Fat MountainThe night in San Miguel de Allende was my last night with the Philtrons. We are two different bicycle tours and the time was right for us to part. They will be going at their pace on their route, and I will be going on mine. I didn't stop to think about it until Daisy pointed it out that we rode together for 6 weeks.<br />
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That's a really long time.<br />
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So thanks to Daisy and Jason for rolling with me, or me with them! And best of luck to them on their journey.<br />
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A lot happened in the Sierra Gorda. The first night I stayed at a police station because I thought it was the firefighter's station, and fire stations are common sites for cyclotourists to camp at. To compare getting permission to camp at fire station to camping at the police station, I would have to say that the police station is more intense. I had to talk to the police commander myself and explain to him who I was and what I was doing, and he didn't seem very excited about it. I also had to give my name and apparently they put it in their records that I camped there.<br />
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Of course it was all just a chest-thumping-power-trip-show because I got permission and they offered their showers and several of the subordinates were very curious and excited about hearing my story. But next time I will look more closely for the firefighters before talking to the commander.<br />
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The next day I really entered the Sierra Gordas. They are high enough, but to make me work even harder, I had to drop down what must have been at least a thousand feet in elevation before beginning the climb. In the photo below you can see the Sierra Gorda in the background, and right in front of me is a huge descent that just means more climbing later on. Urrrrg!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEBrncFMVyyOMrvF0Swn0eea4dPVII4CLB4Vd6HY8VJ10IQRGpuu05ggs-iQ4RpgNfACmBd-lR8YhOte4Dm9aoaQj47ntKdJotE848mdRmSl1YEtnlsuJXKeAssd_LeeVI-efB-OCL6xp/s1600/DSCN6127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEBrncFMVyyOMrvF0Swn0eea4dPVII4CLB4Vd6HY8VJ10IQRGpuu05ggs-iQ4RpgNfACmBd-lR8YhOte4Dm9aoaQj47ntKdJotE848mdRmSl1YEtnlsuJXKeAssd_LeeVI-efB-OCL6xp/s1600/DSCN6127.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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After "todo derecho," for "all straight," I think that "puro subido" is my next favorite expression used when giving directions. It translates to "Pure uphill." For me, the adjective "pure," when used to describe ascents, is absolutely terrifying. <br />
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When the puro subido begain, it really was pure uphill. And steep. I had been at it for an hour or so when a truck pulled over in front of me. More accurately, it stopped in front of me. Two men got out. The driver spoke in a voice that was deep and gravely with a thick spanish accent. If you were casting a movie and it called for "sleazy Mexican who speaks English with 95% grammatical accuracy and is a little scary," this was your guy.<br />
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"Where you goin, man? Get in the truck. I take you up the mountain."<br />
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"I'll be embarrassed if I don't do it myself..."<br />
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"Who cares about embarrassment's a long ways up. Get in the truck. We give you a ride."<br />
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Between his charm and the "puro subido" I was up against, I was easily convinced. And so I accepted, for the first time, a ride in a truck. He took me to a small city and turned off the highway. I realized that this was the moment of truth: either he would come to a complete stop and let me out, or he would take me up the dirt road, kill me, and feed me to the buzzards. I prepared to jump out the back.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31oNWN9g3HhKuKzr9h1acfrOfHxNZ-qvRoyKlIov-9E6K5qfVRYCQcYnPHrWY5aLQzYpjF3a0ieCeE92QMkw5u7zqHlD5Vfo3VrXmAeXgbHR3a-tOtp4T56W2ZQ0T6yKA3MhJ_eO5bwhK/s1600/DSCN6132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31oNWN9g3HhKuKzr9h1acfrOfHxNZ-qvRoyKlIov-9E6K5qfVRYCQcYnPHrWY5aLQzYpjF3a0ieCeE92QMkw5u7zqHlD5Vfo3VrXmAeXgbHR3a-tOtp4T56W2ZQ0T6yKA3MhJ_eO5bwhK/s1600/DSCN6132.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't get too close to the edge.</td></tr>
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The scary man let me out and I was off on my way. I climbed and climbed and climbed. The trees became more green, and the views crazier.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzO2Nf6s-TVdieeAemcQbs1VI4WPLRALLGaBn_5XfOb8rqnI0QDlZAmZCZXZ_zR9EQDHRFQ5GnalDmp4e8Su-7y_aGqKG-gRDrphG8vWgGpKzBVDpZQ6cINx0k6OiCuv64MG6aojr1zRZR/s1600/DSCN6144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzO2Nf6s-TVdieeAemcQbs1VI4WPLRALLGaBn_5XfOb8rqnI0QDlZAmZCZXZ_zR9EQDHRFQ5GnalDmp4e8Su-7y_aGqKG-gRDrphG8vWgGpKzBVDpZQ6cINx0k6OiCuv64MG6aojr1zRZR/s1600/DSCN6144.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Eventually there was a passage that marked the top of the pass. On one side was sparse trees and shrubs, like the above picture, and on the other side was dense rain forest. Below you can see the road as it goes into the rain forest. This pass is called something like Passage to Heaven. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMftI_Mdi1SJgq5gJ-Hi3QqrdtUqqu1RPFXwgjkfQ6m6oWxdpzogxhZVbVDAju7AShk67_OInwfcIlUZ_KKb9cDTX7riRaQLCeD7bBX0hLp9KdWQx2KdL0p90EwA-FheFBeT0rSRauTtM/s1600/DSCN6148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMftI_Mdi1SJgq5gJ-Hi3QqrdtUqqu1RPFXwgjkfQ6m6oWxdpzogxhZVbVDAju7AShk67_OInwfcIlUZ_KKb9cDTX7riRaQLCeD7bBX0hLp9KdWQx2KdL0p90EwA-FheFBeT0rSRauTtM/s1600/DSCN6148.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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I enjoyed the downhill on the other side, but it was getting dark and so I sought shelter. I asked a man working at a store if her knew a place I could camp, and he offered a grassy patch of land by his store. Three children who were playing by his store helped me set up my tent, and I practiced giving directions in Spanish. I then realized that my grammar is about the level of a 6 year old.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjKKpuXeDlDEmUgJNdmFtfykxL0-MMitzJ29-5mLtxkDG4Xm29GTfQ4-YLW2xJy5L9iV24eaxPkgWbpP5jKOYZkdXL-mnctOYsf8V8eV_LSbz7pH00u35sPWwjH7m0mY7pwz-znP3qvIG/s1600/DSCN6150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjKKpuXeDlDEmUgJNdmFtfykxL0-MMitzJ29-5mLtxkDG4Xm29GTfQ4-YLW2xJy5L9iV24eaxPkgWbpP5jKOYZkdXL-mnctOYsf8V8eV_LSbz7pH00u35sPWwjH7m0mY7pwz-znP3qvIG/s1600/DSCN6150.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35-DqHVkvu7lCmxoMvK7Nw7LVbwbH8sv_db5ABnwoZhneXjT2NNmPBu8_yDuI27H3YCdmFyBxyOSr2mzkyoAkVgPXHzorhYLtvW9cnKtV2Biji0dGnjDBZE4sIXJvcvYjFP-44pHdZibK/s1600/DSCN6151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35-DqHVkvu7lCmxoMvK7Nw7LVbwbH8sv_db5ABnwoZhneXjT2NNmPBu8_yDuI27H3YCdmFyBxyOSr2mzkyoAkVgPXHzorhYLtvW9cnKtV2Biji0dGnjDBZE4sIXJvcvYjFP-44pHdZibK/s1600/DSCN6151.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I ended up being a celebrity amongst the youngsters there as the three children spread word throughout the village.<br />
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As I was about to turn in for the night and sleep, a group of guys slightly younger than me asked if I wanted to play soccer with them at the fustal court beside the store. I scored several times in the process of getting my clothing completely soaked with no chance of getting it dry overnight.<br />
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I did not understand a single non-cuss-word they said, but words weren't necessary. We spoke the universal language of soccer.Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12996123128989604910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880795294849350125.post-70562588052114224232014-11-24T17:27:00.002-08:002014-11-24T17:27:41.867-08:00Day 143: Guanajuato to San Miguel de Allende<div>
November 14, 2014</div>
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Defying all odds, I made it out of Guanajuato. I was nervous about navigating the tunnels, winding roads, truncated roads, and "glorietas" (traffic circles), but I went "todo derecho" (all straight) in the opposite way of San Miguel de Allende and somehow ended up making a large U shape to get to the highway, all the while staying on what seemed to me like the same road. <div>
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I arrived in San Miguel de Allende an hour before sundown, and used the cell phone that I had just bought to try and call the Philtrons. They did not answer because they were trying in vain to find the host we planned on staying with. It was selfish good luck for me that I didn't know anything about their troubles any earlier because by the time I was able to contact them, they had made their way to a hostel for the night. </div>
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We met some fun travelers at the hostel. It was clean. </div>
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The ride was amazingly beautiful and calm. Heavenly. And the clouds!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJvc1mB-bCTcYW1zPi0k6tMLKRfabLNY_Uuzk7V5a_IweHEoQlcVDPQk_aHIbezdmuYuEfAY_jEmz599y4EbobGq6QYnb9j4BuZmF2BElGLoGVfRBcVThY6z9uRY7F-hL9WFDiVbRtUHn/s1600/DSCN6104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJvc1mB-bCTcYW1zPi0k6tMLKRfabLNY_Uuzk7V5a_IweHEoQlcVDPQk_aHIbezdmuYuEfAY_jEmz599y4EbobGq6QYnb9j4BuZmF2BElGLoGVfRBcVThY6z9uRY7F-hL9WFDiVbRtUHn/s1600/DSCN6104.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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My missing shoe did not show up. I am no longer in denial, and am now in the angry stage. Angry at myself for losing things all the time.<br />
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I decided the most fitting place to deposit my remaining shoe would be on the side of the road, where it can rest with thousands of other mateless shoes, and be a mystery for someone to ponder... <i>How did this shoe get here? Where is the other?</i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYrpqa0SsNFS01elRVQQsbc92Dp0sNhgLeauZsBmIaYliBdIzhaal7q-nElTHcbyLcCn2AJzmiRquBiv4p6wZne-AeQZsDTPRPVx55q4JhyWzbkLRiGpvVDhSI_d14cTValr6CGgQIpvd/s1600/DSCN6111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYrpqa0SsNFS01elRVQQsbc92Dp0sNhgLeauZsBmIaYliBdIzhaal7q-nElTHcbyLcCn2AJzmiRquBiv4p6wZne-AeQZsDTPRPVx55q4JhyWzbkLRiGpvVDhSI_d14cTValr6CGgQIpvd/s1600/DSCN6111.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rest in peace, left shoe.</td></tr>
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Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12996123128989604910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880795294849350125.post-41867460927418103812014-11-11T12:33:00.001-08:002014-11-11T12:33:36.786-08:00Day 139-142 Aguascalientes to Guanajuato<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
November 8 - November 11, 2014</div>
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Progress continues through more of Mexico's prominent cities. Before leaving Aguascalientes our host, MJ, showed us around the city. Aguascalientes has a beautiful downtown area and many modern parks which you can search for on the internet for pictures because I took none. Thanks MJ for a wonderful time in Aguascalientes! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixMIcY434zLP7qVYfMJOD9Fle1ZV6RbBnkeB67jvWnZY68KP9iNYwUH0ORBp7_yGh456uW_nXMvWfAZWnW48hSJ2wGTX87g3Q3O4PvwCHiiJ9aY1tJbRFM3vv-ZlADRKZsMq8DeRelcCMg/s1600/DSCN6075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixMIcY434zLP7qVYfMJOD9Fle1ZV6RbBnkeB67jvWnZY68KP9iNYwUH0ORBp7_yGh456uW_nXMvWfAZWnW48hSJ2wGTX87g3Q3O4PvwCHiiJ9aY1tJbRFM3vv-ZlADRKZsMq8DeRelcCMg/s640/DSCN6075.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last photo we will ever take looking into the sun.</td></tr>
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We left Aguascalientes and took two days to arrive in Leon, stopping for the night in Incarnacion de Diaz. The highway we used to leave town was awful, and had tons of debris which gave Jason and i a flat each. Another mechanical problem was created when I foolishly decided to ride down a steep, rocky side road after I took this picture: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNSst0oLWIg6NDQnCI-DLDxUsZ-UWD7Shg3fRlF-GtiO_jGFYoovYU62H2SCChR2ZrVWpzj-RIItizErM4zXw1KvtJPVM3keOJ8UiN4UyqmJNw8P5uvD7r_PRR2jy2T93w7YpIV6n-sTu/s1600/DSCN6077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNSst0oLWIg6NDQnCI-DLDxUsZ-UWD7Shg3fRlF-GtiO_jGFYoovYU62H2SCChR2ZrVWpzj-RIItizErM4zXw1KvtJPVM3keOJ8UiN4UyqmJNw8P5uvD7r_PRR2jy2T93w7YpIV6n-sTu/s640/DSCN6077.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The damage it caused is proving more serious to fix than the flats: my front rack snapped off at a crucial place. I knew when I bought it that I was taking a slight risk by buying an aluminum rack. I gambled and lost. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYQqM7GiY7TozsyNpnzfLa2AOAiTyeIUSUFACQo7XLS0IVf49DAZoBi6aQpNmA5SGdUsofjcfO78d4-x3MLBImQyEPYzz71nuLRld2s1A7fmS3AcJScGLj7qQWHLHdhbH8DN-IXPcK_GV/s1600/DSCN6080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYQqM7GiY7TozsyNpnzfLa2AOAiTyeIUSUFACQo7XLS0IVf49DAZoBi6aQpNmA5SGdUsofjcfO78d4-x3MLBImQyEPYzz71nuLRld2s1A7fmS3AcJScGLj7qQWHLHdhbH8DN-IXPcK_GV/s640/DSCN6080.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That ain't right.</td></tr>
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We will look for a welder who can weld aluminum. For now, my improvised contraption is working, although I have removed almost all the weight from the bag and it is causing me great disorganization. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZKmCy8qWvDYfmP4cHAbm8K59mX_MnuWDbr-mSRnZy-qVksHrMVDHe9HUzyktu8B5UdUeBsB3Z1KDkY1rK9bnBp0eiEBp3KHzSX5lCfH1khZaldv_snpGZVGAXu7EbjGrTsgwyh0_7DAT/s1600/DSCN6081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZKmCy8qWvDYfmP4cHAbm8K59mX_MnuWDbr-mSRnZy-qVksHrMVDHe9HUzyktu8B5UdUeBsB3Z1KDkY1rK9bnBp0eiEBp3KHzSX5lCfH1khZaldv_snpGZVGAXu7EbjGrTsgwyh0_7DAT/s640/DSCN6081.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Leon has a beautiful city core and we were fortunate enough to have warm shower hosts, Fernando and Frida. We stayed with them in their house and conversed in Spanish. He gave us his sister's address so we had a place to stay in Guanajuato as well! Muchas gracias a Fernando and Frida!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibU9qy_RQT9gS5xrvMxkcKOsq2A71KcqwysYs0famogn6fWKCHLggrzrq7P1_fjpBXxbkbQ8ttNix4DzkZHMe9VQiGq9U25WXQMJX5EtBvpds1dIQOgUiA03E1531cXhioIq4flh0j-eEM/s1600/DSCN6091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibU9qy_RQT9gS5xrvMxkcKOsq2A71KcqwysYs0famogn6fWKCHLggrzrq7P1_fjpBXxbkbQ8ttNix4DzkZHMe9VQiGq9U25WXQMJX5EtBvpds1dIQOgUiA03E1531cXhioIq4flh0j-eEM/s640/DSCN6091.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plaza in Leon. These are bustling places! It gets even more crowded than this picture.</td></tr>
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Before leaving for Guanajuato, we had the memorable experience of talking to Fernando's chemistry class. We stood infront of 42 high school students and answered all sorts of questions about who we are, what our trip is like. After class was over, we were mobbed for photos, and requests for beard touching. I told them no, but at least one student sneaked a beard tug.</div>
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Guanajuato is just a short ways from Leon, and it only took us an afternoon to get there. We were surprised to find out that Fernando's sister, Laura, was more than asked by Fernando that we would be staying at her house. She didn't seem to mind, and by the end of the night I could tell for sure Jason and my Spanish speaking is improving! Being forced to converse in Spanish is wonderful practice. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRhq7_2AJsINbvBnstgVeMYUe68VssJxdRHGuvjttkqlByifChDZ4eLjGMelc1O8lDRYz76qZ9NRV44rN5GjBW6tZxdIyOs8huwuKmNJxKDuLR5zzkZQ-VIlWZUzD56fMrZssijQUAI5H/s1600/DSCN6098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRhq7_2AJsINbvBnstgVeMYUe68VssJxdRHGuvjttkqlByifChDZ4eLjGMelc1O8lDRYz76qZ9NRV44rN5GjBW6tZxdIyOs8huwuKmNJxKDuLR5zzkZQ-VIlWZUzD56fMrZssijQUAI5H/s640/DSCN6098.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plaza in Guanajuato</td></tr>
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We left Laura's house to explore Guanajuato. We will spend tonight in a hotel downtown. Guanajuato is beautiful and has lots to do and see. Despite its charm, it put me in a foul mood as I got lost in its streets. I stupidly lost one of my cycling shoes off the back of my bike. I tried to retrace my steps but that is an exercise in futility as the streets are impossibly difficult to navigate because they criss cross and end and make curves with no sense of direction. Of course the crazy streets help give the city its charm, but it can be an aggravating charm nonetheless. I will have to add "shoe" to the list of things I have lost on this trip. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RSue18MEmahNxc3nPOEBy47REK0gVw6XXMx1Y9btmC0Mvyy87fcpucQ_0SqiUkSfeCS5xw21QgAdWpRn8WSm-RXUnSsekYrpr_hhCremF7ofPxgIZKBZXV_0Qe40uKoENrG3Kuh1DqzJ/s1600/DSCN6094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RSue18MEmahNxc3nPOEBy47REK0gVw6XXMx1Y9btmC0Mvyy87fcpucQ_0SqiUkSfeCS5xw21QgAdWpRn8WSm-RXUnSsekYrpr_hhCremF7ofPxgIZKBZXV_0Qe40uKoENrG3Kuh1DqzJ/s640/DSCN6094.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guanajuato from afar. </td></tr>
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Here are some of the sights along the way.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3Ml7uyyyx7QK6tV6kw7LbHkF1l393D-PRH7brmtj8NryqwIttzxQjokEthFYV1vG9tH8P5rjIHeyJ0nH682cKra_AuBLvPXO_SOKe4UtiG1bniFMV2cOncgfmLBWr5I2gIK9e_bye0DU/s1600/DSCN6089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3Ml7uyyyx7QK6tV6kw7LbHkF1l393D-PRH7brmtj8NryqwIttzxQjokEthFYV1vG9tH8P5rjIHeyJ0nH682cKra_AuBLvPXO_SOKe4UtiG1bniFMV2cOncgfmLBWr5I2gIK9e_bye0DU/s640/DSCN6089.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you love dogs, you will love and hate what you see in Mexico. Lots of puppies and interesting mixes of breeds, but many live in the streets. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAiBOzL6IB0g9-ZapPW87b2RqYtMDJZiil0q1cAICxC8znRFnq37zf3ZBgJvNHaTeyXFX5lIjIcV0ycFaBA72W8PzqCivOzmK6bkH7SrxxG6XJ86DKhXtE8Bu0sLJch4Alb6zPGxVLaow/s1600/DSCN6083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAiBOzL6IB0g9-ZapPW87b2RqYtMDJZiil0q1cAICxC8znRFnq37zf3ZBgJvNHaTeyXFX5lIjIcV0ycFaBA72W8PzqCivOzmK6bkH7SrxxG6XJ86DKhXtE8Bu0sLJch4Alb6zPGxVLaow/s640/DSCN6083.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Somewhere between Aguascalientes and Guanajuato</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuVayNF0Iytw4pox_dew_8Ci_-7Vwx5qildN-AV3LOMqJrM8TNd0ss7scNRrr-BHfvKmsiGwooCSh47K2vCnNVKVY61JSzEO5TW3gqLG7j2YcCY2nMrvWkNkwhwJl1gDOC7J4n_7s7RQ9/s1600/DSCN6086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuVayNF0Iytw4pox_dew_8Ci_-7Vwx5qildN-AV3LOMqJrM8TNd0ss7scNRrr-BHfvKmsiGwooCSh47K2vCnNVKVY61JSzEO5TW3gqLG7j2YcCY2nMrvWkNkwhwJl1gDOC7J4n_7s7RQ9/s640/DSCN6086.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are many "Yonkes" or junkyards around, but this one has to be the best organized. </td></tr>
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Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12996123128989604910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880795294849350125.post-15210588401939068542014-11-07T18:59:00.003-08:002014-11-07T18:59:48.658-08:00Day 138: Zacatecas to AguascalientesNovember 7, 2014<div>
74 miles</div>
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Yesterday I became separated from the Philtrons and so I took the most prudent course of action and stayed in a hotel in Zacatecas instead of cycling past the city towards Aguascalientes. So today's main goal was making up the lost distance and reunite with the Philtrons in Aguascalientes. </div>
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I woke up bright an early to rain, and 50 something degrees, which is a perfect combination for cold, uncomfortable riding. Add to that is the cobblestone streets and Mexican traffic and you have very dangerous riding. The fog was pretty though.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6x5vrIOcE3G5TzePdRH6KCJOjdfYettVYoywps3JdAQtyA8f8DLNaF24hHYbckdgb4QncXn28m-TNnMLMqVXldqDPsi3vv0wZ5ecCxnc_65pTIqpGTdfUczJXr05p4ravA3TcaGzOOn5i/s1600/DSCN6068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6x5vrIOcE3G5TzePdRH6KCJOjdfYettVYoywps3JdAQtyA8f8DLNaF24hHYbckdgb4QncXn28m-TNnMLMqVXldqDPsi3vv0wZ5ecCxnc_65pTIqpGTdfUczJXr05p4ravA3TcaGzOOn5i/s1600/DSCN6068.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I tried to make my way to an alternative highway after deeming the route to the toll road too dangerous, but I got lost and overshot the alternative highway and found myself very close to the toll road. Because the toll road was only 3km away, I decided to battle semi trailers and rain and fog for that distance to get to the toll road and its nice wide shoulders and lower traffic levels rather than. I almost got knocked off the road twice before I decided to bike along the parallel dirt path. </div>
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On the toll road things were slightly better. For some reason the cars and buses weren't giving me my space! And then I hit a construction zone and rush hour at the same time which forced me to salmon. Regardless I made it to a McDonalds in Aguascalientes to use their wifi and figure out where Daisy and Jason were. 70 miles at an average of 12 mph is not bad for a tour. I am a little tired, but it is a good tired.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CwlH4ogThdHsx477_RdxidlY1aUgG4vDa2qDDsoPUlwJzp8Yn9n7GzQ43TUd1LRA5N30VOESrQLiakYV6p6F65ETUGfHk8N0etprc00H_iWlBINxx4Mq7x0UamOW9Bp6eiRfGlykSFv2/s1600/DSCN6073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CwlH4ogThdHsx477_RdxidlY1aUgG4vDa2qDDsoPUlwJzp8Yn9n7GzQ43TUd1LRA5N30VOESrQLiakYV6p6F65ETUGfHk8N0etprc00H_iWlBINxx4Mq7x0UamOW9Bp6eiRfGlykSFv2/s1600/DSCN6073.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salmoning!</td></tr>
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Turns out Daisy and Jason hopped a barrier and went into a store when I went past the construction. When I went back to look for them they were out of sight and so missed them. If I had been with them I would have been able to sleep in the cheapest hotel so far: 100 pesos. </div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7iQZhP8J_0RWEo6Y0UHwBz5vCX0qlYQJ-U_G61BdMbnOqwGe3aFuDrekroA0kl2KWS5ppN53kz6fU1zfGCbz3_Ah1tv5ePbW2dj7-THSOxDCJr4pPHGdPJYuYH9171oI33tVAQN6JtCa-/s1600/DSCN6071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7iQZhP8J_0RWEo6Y0UHwBz5vCX0qlYQJ-U_G61BdMbnOqwGe3aFuDrekroA0kl2KWS5ppN53kz6fU1zfGCbz3_Ah1tv5ePbW2dj7-THSOxDCJr4pPHGdPJYuYH9171oI33tVAQN6JtCa-/s1600/DSCN6071.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">New State!<br /></td></tr>
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All is well and we are happily staying with a warmshowers host who is a Peace Corps member. He is very friendly and he even made us some food!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12996123128989604910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880795294849350125.post-77125611244167995112014-11-06T16:36:00.005-08:002014-11-06T16:36:53.944-08:00Day 134-137 Durango to ZacatecasNovember 3-November 6<br />
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After riding the highway to Durango and Dia de los Muertos, the last few days of riding seem somewhat bland in comparison. It feels like the day is without purpose. Of course this isn't true. As I look back at the photos I took, I remember that bike touring isn't about having awesome things happen all the time. It's also about noticing all the little things that happen that most people don't notice because they are moving too fast. With that said I guess I have to go and play kum-ba-yah after I add captions to these photos.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUs6iNZSwUYRGWaGtTPMV6adRbBmwqJd4sD2baDYMvUnmO_2s1HW58IxRPnLHgrkuAI9CevCEoxFthMUyegqFgUJFyUJXfro-8GlVqeybfLlpXVBEt630GXH7L0m_nH4id-2Gux5A7gX_/s1600/DSCN6038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUs6iNZSwUYRGWaGtTPMV6adRbBmwqJd4sD2baDYMvUnmO_2s1HW58IxRPnLHgrkuAI9CevCEoxFthMUyegqFgUJFyUJXfro-8GlVqeybfLlpXVBEt630GXH7L0m_nH4id-2Gux5A7gX_/s1600/DSCN6038.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does this need a caption?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaT1J5vnDVdJHXRdSdfqikq9fccer9JceyEO5pngRVNBPTc6seJDliwRolW2Qq9CZuF7EfI4iTGLr-GzYb4MCeQTAHe07B-EV8okcpX-2cE3rOxSADCBRvntFp4jB6tkG9tFo7Yrfks-O8/s1600/DSCN6039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaT1J5vnDVdJHXRdSdfqikq9fccer9JceyEO5pngRVNBPTc6seJDliwRolW2Qq9CZuF7EfI4iTGLr-GzYb4MCeQTAHe07B-EV8okcpX-2cE3rOxSADCBRvntFp4jB6tkG9tFo7Yrfks-O8/s1600/DSCN6039.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While we were staying at this hotel, I was fortunate enough to meet Alan. I got to talk with him in Spanish while we ate the lentil, rice and veggie dish I made.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTp2w3TrGMG-9dCpKKXIgtMMv5dwIlivRZBAKUOkNLbsYfzOgu8o8jWRrvfMbFSSiqby6NaXSAaSO0BnlFjQbn_-PO6-Nuc_wB6GtlT7t9_yuAZNWWz-g9ctPX2MhfYW_J1kMfXUQ75Ca/s1600/DSCN6045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTp2w3TrGMG-9dCpKKXIgtMMv5dwIlivRZBAKUOkNLbsYfzOgu8o8jWRrvfMbFSSiqby6NaXSAaSO0BnlFjQbn_-PO6-Nuc_wB6GtlT7t9_yuAZNWWz-g9ctPX2MhfYW_J1kMfXUQ75Ca/s1600/DSCN6045.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yum.... tuna!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1B4LBu2hWJ4X3JcChULN7IJTF25CD_7bS4AkFr87l_MdDWBnYCSZdQBfiKtvABQBEKyvHi56ZxIu21sJ6JvmgTthtAxjfqJtx_hi6xDIwcgbc19fPEXjH5d2MwAeMOaM1SqlUxxo9KWm/s1600/DSCN6046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1B4LBu2hWJ4X3JcChULN7IJTF25CD_7bS4AkFr87l_MdDWBnYCSZdQBfiKtvABQBEKyvHi56ZxIu21sJ6JvmgTthtAxjfqJtx_hi6xDIwcgbc19fPEXjH5d2MwAeMOaM1SqlUxxo9KWm/s1600/DSCN6046.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A charming little city called Sain Alito. We agreed that we got more thumbs ups, waves, and friendly honks in one day here than we did in all of the United States. This is true most days in Mexico.</td></tr>
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As you can see from these photos, it is cloudy! And I'm wearing a rainjacket! The wind made it sufficiently cold enough to force me to wear a jacket. First time I have worn it since Yosemite in early August. Also, it rained for a little while each of the last two days.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzqqlU4DOrNEt__zXk_LhCQWKFzdtiFInObBX28qT0e4oo94usu0gb25jdQvUhiFl7P3pp1blMVd0ztc1KmBXHPHQ1P3dHrRTi8OYKv1Y30u6D55i-tSWvZRhCW1Pwq5UgjA3WXYUEBxX/s1600/DSCN6057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzqqlU4DOrNEt__zXk_LhCQWKFzdtiFInObBX28qT0e4oo94usu0gb25jdQvUhiFl7P3pp1blMVd0ztc1KmBXHPHQ1P3dHrRTi8OYKv1Y30u6D55i-tSWvZRhCW1Pwq5UgjA3WXYUEBxX/s1600/DSCN6057.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snack time on tarps!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPr6E3bNB-eX_g3w1Dm90BY_bkMZewnEtntgb8fj-sCcfpmgyWEih-3Lts6f-dX-v_YPp6tp0e2LLiOw37-jTpfavkwCRIU1KosxfJ4IiFTghab37iRTOVcpATDjU4GMk4lHGkeb_XnCUS/s1600/DSCN6063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPr6E3bNB-eX_g3w1Dm90BY_bkMZewnEtntgb8fj-sCcfpmgyWEih-3Lts6f-dX-v_YPp6tp0e2LLiOw37-jTpfavkwCRIU1KosxfJ4IiFTghab37iRTOVcpATDjU4GMk4lHGkeb_XnCUS/s1600/DSCN6063.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathedral in Zacatecas. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGMV5CpZ1OW4UVxce51EWv7c4OTV3s6G0m9CaJqdtjBC0FVwDwar1672MprzjkfDyvqWe4FtqLtyB92gEDWM5Hysw8ljSI3LnDiQSMSGKp7S01AHFoE9w1Urvp3UE3tt9Khw52UDI_0oo/s1600/DSCN6064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGMV5CpZ1OW4UVxce51EWv7c4OTV3s6G0m9CaJqdtjBC0FVwDwar1672MprzjkfDyvqWe4FtqLtyB92gEDWM5Hysw8ljSI3LnDiQSMSGKp7S01AHFoE9w1Urvp3UE3tt9Khw52UDI_0oo/s1600/DSCN6064.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail work on the Cathedral in Zacatecas.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZB_Xlf8OOzY27Bk6Fh8hWZSK0naWbjfZ49uRDDRhuHOKYAzUza5u9CDj0qWrdk5TUy934GWM78jWCENYDpmeyDQLgtf23jwiJvQjttSEMDqA0ydjawJWMvTazLqsPpcZ86YcqjnhzNc9x/s1600/DSCN6065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZB_Xlf8OOzY27Bk6Fh8hWZSK0naWbjfZ49uRDDRhuHOKYAzUza5u9CDj0qWrdk5TUy934GWM78jWCENYDpmeyDQLgtf23jwiJvQjttSEMDqA0ydjawJWMvTazLqsPpcZ86YcqjnhzNc9x/s1600/DSCN6065.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how we park our bikes at a restaurant.</td></tr>
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Currently I am by myself in a hotel in Zacatecas because I accidentally got separated from Jason and Daisy. I went up and over a bridge on a very busy highway, and apparently they did not. I have been relying on them for the map and directions, which I see now was a silly thing to do. After I lost them I had no idea how to get to the next city without using the highway that I deemed too dangerous to ride. I decided to not rush myself or do anything crazy so I got a hotel room and a map. Tomorrow I will try to make up ground!<br />
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What an exciting little hic-up.Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12996123128989604910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880795294849350125.post-81611891115730174782014-11-06T16:06:00.000-08:002014-11-06T16:06:16.266-08:00Day 133: Durango: Dia De Los MuertosNovember 2, 2014<br />
0 Miles<br />
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Hoy es Dia De Los Muertos!<br />
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Our second day in Durango we did not miss the festivities for Day of the Dead. Because our hotel was so close to the central plaza, we had a first hand view of the goings on. There were colorful statues, papel picado (colorful cut paper), colorful lighting, bands playing, and lots of street vendors.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2sZVJQx5VDzApdgpUwC4p2t8TK0NP6zvWZdzvHsjAOh0xZ0J3GnoYU84zRwiHN32CrtCpr7pyzGWMw6KOndocc8Rcfci3xDMOkEUCHP3LSmCVNJnc35HbXxOHB4QQFMU6digMoPCoi59l/s1600/DSCN5997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2sZVJQx5VDzApdgpUwC4p2t8TK0NP6zvWZdzvHsjAOh0xZ0J3GnoYU84zRwiHN32CrtCpr7pyzGWMw6KOndocc8Rcfci3xDMOkEUCHP3LSmCVNJnc35HbXxOHB4QQFMU6digMoPCoi59l/s1600/DSCN5997.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We ate at a very nice restaurant, and they had this entirely appropriate papel picado. </td></tr>
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One problem we discovered was that some of the decorations made it difficult to know what was normal Durango, and what was holiday Durango. What was very frustrating was when we went to educate ourselves at the mining museum, only to find that it had undergone a conversion into one of those tunnel of doom things where people jump out and scare you. Normally the museum is a mining shaft that has exhibits and placards with information about mining in Durango. You go down into the entrance in the Central Plaza and exit 2 blocks away. When we went down, there were dead bodies stuffed into the mining carts, spiderwebs hanging from all the rafters, and, most bizarre of all, jars of animal fetuses in one of the exhibits. It made for a strange museum experience.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcNM0Erm4xwX6DhD4_Sv-SWlyNazlGWARjUvOCCmZoW5Jdh-HEVwcyOiyskFvHPEM-wE_COTfHmVUZ4U9VGNyTRFbsPPKgq80oyFYu8FZYCy6Yr8ftOc1pV4KsCq9p1YoIIMy7Fk3XVKl/s1600/DSCN6002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcNM0Erm4xwX6DhD4_Sv-SWlyNazlGWARjUvOCCmZoW5Jdh-HEVwcyOiyskFvHPEM-wE_COTfHmVUZ4U9VGNyTRFbsPPKgq80oyFYu8FZYCy6Yr8ftOc1pV4KsCq9p1YoIIMy7Fk3XVKl/s1600/DSCN6002.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exhibit in the mining museum.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhicKEvDxDZwX7cPG6Zw9sYFG8FMFn9PlehtvEmiYJDeUOUC5JuBijliAl85knaF2ld3Eags1jhzQct7-PrXgy1nHTMZholUgJ7cWXoXU-ewZpauEfDROUCI-VlaZBujIiTTpm73qysssaG/s1600/DSCN6008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhicKEvDxDZwX7cPG6Zw9sYFG8FMFn9PlehtvEmiYJDeUOUC5JuBijliAl85knaF2ld3Eags1jhzQct7-PrXgy1nHTMZholUgJ7cWXoXU-ewZpauEfDROUCI-VlaZBujIiTTpm73qysssaG/s1600/DSCN6008.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pickled pork. </td></tr>
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Here are some photos of the festivities in the plaza:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtUeW5kK0yDJKdE799kXogNDa6NIwsfX8FZxDBs6m2twAc_BWZsMcb_buO8Xvuc3AtTqJOCg-v1Jkd5ObQLwmmbqEvZRYcHf3O8kmswgAgx5KiTOleGHAvtKYKbbJxUU9EyUSrsJc9TIt/s1600/DSCN6030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtUeW5kK0yDJKdE799kXogNDa6NIwsfX8FZxDBs6m2twAc_BWZsMcb_buO8Xvuc3AtTqJOCg-v1Jkd5ObQLwmmbqEvZRYcHf3O8kmswgAgx5KiTOleGHAvtKYKbbJxUU9EyUSrsJc9TIt/s1600/DSCN6030.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Band playing music!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHs2hKJYPsKk_WhLcmixsPi52-ZdJYVXN_YQXw-JW8Y4VvOfGqkOFTduOYJVBMdzZPrzS9OpXcdE5d0Kcafp1Lds-GpqGMqbwglHpQB61AfUG-S_i7CDrYqjKEfHoIyK7N1Po6vCCzwG4T/s1600/DSCN6032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHs2hKJYPsKk_WhLcmixsPi52-ZdJYVXN_YQXw-JW8Y4VvOfGqkOFTduOYJVBMdzZPrzS9OpXcdE5d0Kcafp1Lds-GpqGMqbwglHpQB61AfUG-S_i7CDrYqjKEfHoIyK7N1Po6vCCzwG4T/s1600/DSCN6032.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As you can tell from the photo the dancers wouldn't stop spinning! Their dresses were very colorful. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyA14X-IeOmn6lIFqt4N_sy_x-gZreZd4YB38PZG_S0rJuAJWL6IEbIhlWhKikLNhgSjwhO4mTspvErVSqAJxsbKSkccxsDXxASb1T_rwXZfWlXeFxnKVoGwx9H25ujRYucjvBNUpTJPmL/s1600/DSCN5920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyA14X-IeOmn6lIFqt4N_sy_x-gZreZd4YB38PZG_S0rJuAJWL6IEbIhlWhKikLNhgSjwhO4mTspvErVSqAJxsbKSkccxsDXxASb1T_rwXZfWlXeFxnKVoGwx9H25ujRYucjvBNUpTJPmL/s1600/DSCN5920.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the statues in the Central Plaza</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUy1HyIiG5NS0y96hf68V6MmMsx5HpoARJFYZP-l0-YYQE2dNwbeyoB-mXgkBDDtX0LNKofJlFmJtE1KST3vgUDwM76t7t2XTtLOUXa0C71L1OKEC_TW7aObXWpcnQGP6GeX3pgN4uzu0/s1600/DSCN6021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUy1HyIiG5NS0y96hf68V6MmMsx5HpoARJFYZP-l0-YYQE2dNwbeyoB-mXgkBDDtX0LNKofJlFmJtE1KST3vgUDwM76t7t2XTtLOUXa0C71L1OKEC_TW7aObXWpcnQGP6GeX3pgN4uzu0/s1600/DSCN6021.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">La Joven Michoacana: the most beautiful in my humble opinion.</td></tr>
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Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12996123128989604910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880795294849350125.post-47611600284213609962014-11-06T15:42:00.003-08:002014-11-06T15:42:53.357-08:00Day132 Durango and Old West!November 1<br />
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0 Miles</div>
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Happy Dia de los Angeles, and Dia de los Muertos!</div>
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That is, Happy Day of Angels and Day of the Dead! We were fortunate enough to be in a large city for this popular Mexican festival, which is like Halloween combined with Memorial Day, minus the military emphasis, and more upbeat and celebratory. Sort of. That's a simplistic and somewhat misleading explanation but it's the best I can do right now.</div>
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We have been enjoying our hotel, which was about $35 a night. It is right in the main downtown area, across from a plaza where there are stages, statues, and vendors all out for the holidays. </div>
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But before exploring the festivities, we went to "Viejo Oueste," or, "Old West." Hollywood used to shoot films in and around Durango. Now there is a vacant set here that has become a tourist destination. For a little more than 3 dollars we got a ride to the place and entrance. There is a half hour show that plays out, complete with campy western music playing in the background. What was strange about this tourist trap was that it was mostly Mexican families who visited.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2G4PLQzdJpY8NsQz2PGmtACUEuvYNfDSF4vduez3bReJ4h2q0Oz_efGK8ehQmJzbUIA5AJAY6uqD7cqBZ-LNNUDh5fOY3G_fAbULsCnKnOOE1wFWTtn5q1BKcd3UCyfDxTQ1_c03eUA2z/s1600/DSCN5928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2G4PLQzdJpY8NsQz2PGmtACUEuvYNfDSF4vduez3bReJ4h2q0Oz_efGK8ehQmJzbUIA5AJAY6uqD7cqBZ-LNNUDh5fOY3G_fAbULsCnKnOOE1wFWTtn5q1BKcd3UCyfDxTQ1_c03eUA2z/s1600/DSCN5928.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCcwFFXncUYhGoqRA-lx1FERov9jSqziMvJlQgnmNa__aw77YS0fQ0QlZwTEwHmo6b6__gTaI79sgZv1YW-tDVaOMTd-g9gHgBez36K9YsBYcJ0anRPQGkEYMJQC_Ou0vQCBHFTNQArJo/s1600/DSCN5933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCcwFFXncUYhGoqRA-lx1FERov9jSqziMvJlQgnmNa__aw77YS0fQ0QlZwTEwHmo6b6__gTaI79sgZv1YW-tDVaOMTd-g9gHgBez36K9YsBYcJ0anRPQGkEYMJQC_Ou0vQCBHFTNQArJo/s1600/DSCN5933.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRlkO6KvnQREo7YE3GcI9OGEWMJ9kJu3p-z2RpZ1w57hyBmlEgKvIxxNnCOwjZ8QddoG9pNvpkQ-De2aUbB7p9yFG-oBxp9uChXD5e3PyIqkD0BANEK2mZPtNapt3dhqzISfkTk3pgmIz/s1600/DSCN5943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRlkO6KvnQREo7YE3GcI9OGEWMJ9kJu3p-z2RpZ1w57hyBmlEgKvIxxNnCOwjZ8QddoG9pNvpkQ-De2aUbB7p9yFG-oBxp9uChXD5e3PyIqkD0BANEK2mZPtNapt3dhqzISfkTk3pgmIz/s1600/DSCN5943.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They said this is future me if I don't put down the bottle. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZx_moSLFug181DnNAd4DOND1ryGcXONFEY6fbkvSMuQKvFcSSmnEbvK0TInpoXLoWy-mO6HoXT1_XIHniMuZVjEZL08CKfDWAEZEgI5uY0Ptr0J1fl02jbF8nyFn9s_g3tQmQ7fJWQqgr/s1600/DSCN5950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZx_moSLFug181DnNAd4DOND1ryGcXONFEY6fbkvSMuQKvFcSSmnEbvK0TInpoXLoWy-mO6HoXT1_XIHniMuZVjEZL08CKfDWAEZEgI5uY0Ptr0J1fl02jbF8nyFn9s_g3tQmQ7fJWQqgr/s1600/DSCN5950.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speedy justice.</td></tr>
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The plot was somewhat hard to follow, but from what I can tell there were many bad guys, a couple good guys, and some good guys who became bad. But if you don't get into the plot, there was plenty of kicking and fighting, shooting to make up for that. If you are not into the violence they had floozies in brassieres and corsets running around. They weren't central to the plot, but they did provide some eye candy. And if you are not into sexy women, the Indian characters did a shirtless dance after the show, complete with lots of hip thrusting. Something for everyone! We had a great time, and all for just over 3 american dollars!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNl9yQ7QYMHzuoLtK2CST1PLUuLy1BqtOnWzVsuBdHb5nzWIXLN9VuJmlD0tFd4w7DhKJvM3QybdQMAF3cnmeMHRzmAD1_lY9FYqXo3KGIKvn7_LkISI3D8xJx_8kChRRhxm4HdWVpxtXj/s1600/DSCN5960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNl9yQ7QYMHzuoLtK2CST1PLUuLy1BqtOnWzVsuBdHb5nzWIXLN9VuJmlD0tFd4w7DhKJvM3QybdQMAF3cnmeMHRzmAD1_lY9FYqXo3KGIKvn7_LkISI3D8xJx_8kChRRhxm4HdWVpxtXj/s1600/DSCN5960.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ceremonial I Know You Want Me dance.</td></tr>
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After the show ended we were stranded for another hour or so before the return bus arrived. In that time we walked around and spent ten pesos to dress up and take photos in the jail. It was the best money I ever spent at a tourist trap.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7eYCZgfHb4rNEDP4WHSQ-nb8dUASAdnY4PIdGYjliDJAt2D3bjr_b-AFmNe47QAAe2Y4s0A31XIOIpzJEWnuRF8RnvB9bGqOPj6_zxa-yM9zao7swDk96IIYN4NpwIhHAnmtjfPjTqU8F/s1600/DSCN5973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7eYCZgfHb4rNEDP4WHSQ-nb8dUASAdnY4PIdGYjliDJAt2D3bjr_b-AFmNe47QAAe2Y4s0A31XIOIpzJEWnuRF8RnvB9bGqOPj6_zxa-yM9zao7swDk96IIYN4NpwIhHAnmtjfPjTqU8F/s1600/DSCN5973.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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We ended the day by cooking a delicious soup on the balcony of our apartment. From there we could hear the Dia del Muerto festivities in the plaza. Our timing was a little off and we missed the action. But we still have tomorrow!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EEl9xDL24AMOlXQSlPP8jK-1QaAAcvqywc-34A2ZuLUbkQB_2DmZ9L-HM4UegothhkqLTgWGgvPOwAx3ws_q8YPAC5uwtp63mB6nWpQmdFib5lqiuoCQITplA3hUFPeOno-twSIXOOCR/s1600/DSCN5984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EEl9xDL24AMOlXQSlPP8jK-1QaAAcvqywc-34A2ZuLUbkQB_2DmZ9L-HM4UegothhkqLTgWGgvPOwAx3ws_q8YPAC5uwtp63mB6nWpQmdFib5lqiuoCQITplA3hUFPeOno-twSIXOOCR/s1600/DSCN5984.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of our two balconies on the third floor.</td></tr>
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Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12996123128989604910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880795294849350125.post-62382403218127857992014-11-02T09:15:00.000-08:002014-11-02T09:15:11.895-08:00Day 131: El Salto to Durango<div>
October 31, 2014</div>
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52 miles</div>
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Exito! Success! We have finally completed 40D La Quota from Mazatlan to Durango! 4 days of gruelling hills starting at sea level in the jungle, rising up to the alpine forests, and continuing on across rolling plains and rocky canyons to the arid Mexican highlands. And we have logged our first 50+ mile day in over a week.<br />
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At the end of the day we sat in our hotel room sharing a giddyness that can only come from bike touring. We all agreed that Mazatlan to Durango is extremely difficult, but also extremely rewarding.<br />
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When we woke up this morning there was frost on our tents. This made me happy because I have completely missed Autumn, the Minnesota kind that I know and love with its crisp biting air. I feel like I found it 2,000 miles south, and 9,000 feet up in the mountains.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHyVHhOFpFNF_O6PoIcOE40O5I-6di5JZzzuG3kHEMj4ZrKQGfPDrQAkYKmK2t4leZEwNy7exZsPLzPb2Iq-bFxNmsJr9EXLcFpkmpUb02dFA6ojL-hM23HwWr1UMt52EHUZ5LjxxUFTHY/s1600/DSCN5896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHyVHhOFpFNF_O6PoIcOE40O5I-6di5JZzzuG3kHEMj4ZrKQGfPDrQAkYKmK2t4leZEwNy7exZsPLzPb2Iq-bFxNmsJr9EXLcFpkmpUb02dFA6ojL-hM23HwWr1UMt52EHUZ5LjxxUFTHY/s1600/DSCN5896.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hills feel.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzSNx96qcCo0wuYGUf3h1R03Z_-YjAO66d9NtV4ztffU3DlcRCuZEyG9AgjStFU-HE_xtiosL95SUFjz1Te_kZcYViyYsgf-KDKyzOu41jJhsJ_pwGqvDjXi78xnrOWI9cqR5NMGi-ZxX/s1600/DSCN5908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzSNx96qcCo0wuYGUf3h1R03Z_-YjAO66d9NtV4ztffU3DlcRCuZEyG9AgjStFU-HE_xtiosL95SUFjz1Te_kZcYViyYsgf-KDKyzOu41jJhsJ_pwGqvDjXi78xnrOWI9cqR5NMGi-ZxX/s1600/DSCN5908.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nobody ever told us that Mexico has spectacular canyons like this.</td></tr>
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This is in the running for the <i>Most Meaningless Sign</i> award. Considering we passed multiple toll stations, talked with several highway officers, and that this sign came up only after a hundred miles of riding, I think it is senseless.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuFPGhqGhqUKnPZNdyhxNdbPbSapCDjTWz1IpgqBQXHWHp-6vq6BRYH7EVt2Wk7bjJIBgtXY1aac4Lc1QfhFHvLYke3ln4vPyEEMluDZE-p6sKcCqWHdgd3b-a484bf3wEFjHvmNBF-pp/s1600/DSCN5911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuFPGhqGhqUKnPZNdyhxNdbPbSapCDjTWz1IpgqBQXHWHp-6vq6BRYH7EVt2Wk7bjJIBgtXY1aac4Lc1QfhFHvLYke3ln4vPyEEMluDZE-p6sKcCqWHdgd3b-a484bf3wEFjHvmNBF-pp/s1600/DSCN5911.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12996123128989604910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880795294849350125.post-51845900604684949322014-11-02T08:59:00.000-08:002014-11-02T08:59:35.038-08:00Day 130: Quota headquarters to El SaltoOctober 28-October 31<br />
<div>
Mazatlan to Durango via Mexico Highway 40D: Quota</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Just days after a trip highlight in La Paz, the Philtrons and I have had yet another trip highlight on Mexico Highway 40D: "The Quota" from Mazatlan to Durango. Quotas are toll roads, and to bicycle tourists that means excellent pavement, lower traffic, wide shoulders, and, if the road goes between Mazatlan and Durango, unbelievable scenery and North America's highest suspension bridge. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The road was extremely grueling. Maybe we were a little soft from being off the bikes for so long, but I think we can safely say that riding from sea level to 9,000 feet over the course of 200 kilometers through sticky jungle heat is indeed an intense ride. What made it more difficult was that we were uncertain of what services were available to us because the road is 1 year old and there is little development along it, and by its nature of a toll road there are few exits to the pueblos along the way. So we carried about 10 liters of water each at the beginning, almost 20 pounds of water weight. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What made up for the uncertainty and difficulty were two things: exploration and beautiful scenery. In fact they more than make up for the difficult conditions. I will elaborate with photos and descriptions.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Philtrons' photos are even more impressive, and I recommend you check out<a href="http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=Sh&page_id=396659&v=S" target="_blank"> their blog </a>for these days because the scenery is so incredible.<br />
<br />
October 30<br />
<br />
Last night we skipped 10 miles of riding because the highway officers took us to their headquarters to stay. Because we want the full experience of the road, and Daisy and Jason are on a mission to document services and things of interest to other bicycle tourists, we decided to go retrace our steps and cycle the 10 miles we skipped. Without bags. We left all that at the headquarters.<br />
<br />
First I had to fix some things on my bike. Something very sharp tore my tire along the side wall, which is some serious tire damage. Luckily I had some special patches for the tire that have held up so far. I also switched out my chain and adjusted my brakes. All good to go now! That kept me at the headquarters for a while and I only went about 6 miles back when I caught up with them as they were riding back up the hill.<br />
<br />
Somewhere along the way the scenery transitioned from jungle forests to alpine coniferous forests. By the end of the day we were in the Black Hills, South Dakota. I swear.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5E3Uhe1wG7iVP5nR8XamwRAr_kOaxycwtLJk6o1JTvDO1q4NknYMz28obp47KdR_XOXW8kDJmjEyDTyjVBFlQmky5Qi90_el9VXO_uB9xg0_E7Jpe2j9LjBvtXSwrK6n-83PT0dQkspm/s1600/DSCN5878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5E3Uhe1wG7iVP5nR8XamwRAr_kOaxycwtLJk6o1JTvDO1q4NknYMz28obp47KdR_XOXW8kDJmjEyDTyjVBFlQmky5Qi90_el9VXO_uB9xg0_E7Jpe2j9LjBvtXSwrK6n-83PT0dQkspm/s1600/DSCN5878.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain scenery is starting to look like the Black Hills, but more intense.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCsefppkwf6nhzWhbK7asghPS73mrbeRecbkNKazcXc79y2xYJwVaiu8x5fNZ91d37lERWFpwVOo-qPc99Vjwnuj9kO0ZUjTuAoB53pt3rGx-bf7ixTt0BxRXxVZqTJciQwewitTSWCAq/s1600/DSCN5879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCsefppkwf6nhzWhbK7asghPS73mrbeRecbkNKazcXc79y2xYJwVaiu8x5fNZ91d37lERWFpwVOo-qPc99Vjwnuj9kO0ZUjTuAoB53pt3rGx-bf7ixTt0BxRXxVZqTJciQwewitTSWCAq/s1600/DSCN5879.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicious gorditas for 12 pesos each, and the view comes with it.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZbl782dvuR6ks42H_APam0-W6i0unb1SZMsEpShJ79kb2Gh81HkSzsAJjBCPPxrFS3ZZ8GyXpa1A6r_U3HMPMBsn_wnjwNNGRuwyXkN0_pzCKBIjK5EZq69N2zDcsdKR-BhhlQ1RhswfR/s1600/DSCN5880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZbl782dvuR6ks42H_APam0-W6i0unb1SZMsEpShJ79kb2Gh81HkSzsAJjBCPPxrFS3ZZ8GyXpa1A6r_U3HMPMBsn_wnjwNNGRuwyXkN0_pzCKBIjK5EZq69N2zDcsdKR-BhhlQ1RhswfR/s1600/DSCN5880.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They made a staircase for the water to go down so it doesn't wash out the road.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQSctnH8iuo9lUpkNQQmoFTUu7fVTFXJHjZIMDKSYneMFHOVdr62ELhjj6O7B8pTmHDFalF9SH7V3-GGfKTsSDf_4FRZYnAUpTPfVSPhKFTyY417VtJDA9-dwVI9rOIxOOEMcgDnpVW7l/s1600/DSCN5881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQSctnH8iuo9lUpkNQQmoFTUu7fVTFXJHjZIMDKSYneMFHOVdr62ELhjj6O7B8pTmHDFalF9SH7V3-GGfKTsSDf_4FRZYnAUpTPfVSPhKFTyY417VtJDA9-dwVI9rOIxOOEMcgDnpVW7l/s1600/DSCN5881.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quaint stacks of corn.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UX9aU1eFDle1ycluHGSPecm30n7_RBamgRBBGbeKWtVXQQ6RLXv3gDlQ3M6EtKOWe-HIErBzjds7xGVxyfqgYHFXmyC2TKr5xL1cAYZ-UBnhIQOMnbPGoSptyX70m2Ok2PSuZxMK6qD9/s1600/DSCN5882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UX9aU1eFDle1ycluHGSPecm30n7_RBamgRBBGbeKWtVXQQ6RLXv3gDlQ3M6EtKOWe-HIErBzjds7xGVxyfqgYHFXmyC2TKr5xL1cAYZ-UBnhIQOMnbPGoSptyX70m2Ok2PSuZxMK6qD9/s1600/DSCN5882.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the most beautiful cloud I have ever seen. </td></tr>
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<br />
The altitude, the headwinds, and the continuing uphills made progress slow. Exhausted, we took the El Salto exit to search for a place to stay. While inquiring at the hospital we met Manuela, who told us about a camping place. She said she would find us and if they charged too much she would let us camp at her place in the country. I had just paid the man to camp in the campground when she showed up. We were in an awkward situation of having to ask for our money back seconds after paying. Fortunately Manuela and the man knew each other and he gave it back without any hard feelings. I gave him a piece of rope that we had accepted as a gift from somebody else even though we had no use for it. He seemed even more excited about the rope than about the money.<br />
<br />
"It's rustic," she warned us. It was, but we still felt like we were in a palace because they fed us dinner, let us use their hot showers, and in the morning had hot tea and coffee for us. Daisy and Jason shared photos of their trip and we got to see some of their photos and play with the baby, Enoc. If you like baby photos, <a href="http://thephiltrons.com/blog/" target="_blank">click on Daisy and Jason's blog here to see some crushingly cute baby photos.</a><br />
<br />
And so yet again the kindness of strangers turns an extremely frustrating day into a great day. Muchas gracias, Manuela y Maciel!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAABTBE5SekzrVjy8Kn-oH29WKpo-muEqIFUojBE2amfUjxsJW8WQzu5SX_9wTauHMmE52tmtJQyYDmqtfPIgVhKW4NQQ6wKbobmScPXurSk0uF7A1Eu3MFuqnIMTp0r5qJJ1wX9kEqtCj/s1600/DSCN5888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAABTBE5SekzrVjy8Kn-oH29WKpo-muEqIFUojBE2amfUjxsJW8WQzu5SX_9wTauHMmE52tmtJQyYDmqtfPIgVhKW4NQQ6wKbobmScPXurSk0uF7A1Eu3MFuqnIMTp0r5qJJ1wX9kEqtCj/s1600/DSCN5888.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfall at the first place we considered staying at.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGrF4JoTc5JDZn08NU145h1H9Z-o3tN5IvPkgh2V7gVUjnOg6PBFJfe8JI0vrkqR5VysQx3qLz9cKi54KE_ayBFcSh20BAnELsRDWIzPcCwGFRmnRao30SjuW7u81UYacaLUpv8VGGHRd/s1600/DSCN5889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGrF4JoTc5JDZn08NU145h1H9Z-o3tN5IvPkgh2V7gVUjnOg6PBFJfe8JI0vrkqR5VysQx3qLz9cKi54KE_ayBFcSh20BAnELsRDWIzPcCwGFRmnRao30SjuW7u81UYacaLUpv8VGGHRd/s1600/DSCN5889.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Must ford river to get to the house.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUGUQ31P66UZxGVClegN-0vDaZ9kkBZ_NDBhSGShbZidgbtl7kkJX2q1nfdjf4X14RVSbNCAkbZ1HnoPRqzV-CSbcCzuKhD4oPHGjTuvykwm44E-vQjBmKn2c3JrO09S7RpeDtzow0Fj3/s1600/DSCN5892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUGUQ31P66UZxGVClegN-0vDaZ9kkBZ_NDBhSGShbZidgbtl7kkJX2q1nfdjf4X14RVSbNCAkbZ1HnoPRqzV-CSbcCzuKhD4oPHGjTuvykwm44E-vQjBmKn2c3JrO09S7RpeDtzow0Fj3/s1600/DSCN5892.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chickens, corn, and a beautiful autumn evening.</td></tr>
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Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12996123128989604910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880795294849350125.post-55243644978277100252014-11-01T13:31:00.001-07:002014-11-01T13:31:05.630-07:00Day 129: 40D Quota to medical headquartersOctober 28-October 31<br />
<div>
Mazatlan to Durango via Mexico Highway 40D: Quota</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Just days after a trip highlight in La Paz, the Philtrons and I have had yet another trip highlight on Mexico Highway 40D: "The Quota" from Mazatlan to Durango. Quotas are toll roads, and to bicycle tourists that means excellent pavement, lower traffic, wide shoulders, and, if the road goes between Mazatlan and Durango, unbelievable scenery and North America's highest suspension bridge. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The road was extremely grueling. Maybe we were a little soft from being off the bikes for so long, but I think we can safely say that riding from sea level to 9,000 feet over the course of 200 kilometers through sticky jungle heat is indeed an intense ride. What made it more difficult was that we were uncertain of what services were available to us because the road is 1 year old and there is little development along it, and by its nature of a toll road there are few exits to the pueblos along the way. So we carried about 10 liters of water each at the beginning, almost 20 pounds of water weight. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What made up for the uncertainty and difficulty were two things: exploration and beautiful scenery. In fact they more than make up for the difficult conditions. I will elaborate with photos and descriptions.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Philtrons' photos are even more impressive, and I recommend you check out<a href="http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=Sh&page_id=396659&v=S" target="_blank"> their blog </a>for these days because the scenery is so incredible. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
October 29, 2014</div>
<div>
42 miles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAxUQ30vCrRMVhJk77BWoTIwrT3LwJc3jymYl1JZNoA0qP-Vt0qsTLothhDl7QbEf64FG_yOXC8NaQIGiPiq5DzucmPvyhEGGF60aOrGB4908d26k3cMxBJJPaPxG_lnc0hb1MPX6VMgQ/s1600/DSCN5840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAxUQ30vCrRMVhJk77BWoTIwrT3LwJc3jymYl1JZNoA0qP-Vt0qsTLothhDl7QbEf64FG_yOXC8NaQIGiPiq5DzucmPvyhEGGF60aOrGB4908d26k3cMxBJJPaPxG_lnc0hb1MPX6VMgQ/s1600/DSCN5840.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCLRUNC6LiPFVoQablhLkWl98bN-sKa_iFDFyzQ0-MS8_OzQvOGTkg8xjxkeBhoX6EK_pkdioaUi0C5Aj2Fwp9tKDRmdu7hDmyrE_88TmageFhVe9PVpEJwZoQkq7ABo9m8mqjCa8jP4g/s1600/DSCN5842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCLRUNC6LiPFVoQablhLkWl98bN-sKa_iFDFyzQ0-MS8_OzQvOGTkg8xjxkeBhoX6EK_pkdioaUi0C5Aj2Fwp9tKDRmdu7hDmyrE_88TmageFhVe9PVpEJwZoQkq7ABo9m8mqjCa8jP4g/s1600/DSCN5842.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTHKvpIIB3e7F6nQSxWazWHWJSl9haaE4CLqe2XvpcvJynKkamDXxsMyYxLGOqkGqeQuyTbCJYwvmrjOfRxJACeWkR3apU2HQuGN0wcdkgubTDUwstiwQtuyLYeqbodFmZXRc-qWZGhHJ/s1600/DSCN5843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTHKvpIIB3e7F6nQSxWazWHWJSl9haaE4CLqe2XvpcvJynKkamDXxsMyYxLGOqkGqeQuyTbCJYwvmrjOfRxJACeWkR3apU2HQuGN0wcdkgubTDUwstiwQtuyLYeqbodFmZXRc-qWZGhHJ/s1600/DSCN5843.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jungle folliage</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcH9QBe0MSv4WaOH3vTGuz72053PfEri_eno2SillP5yu0PznuQ4h0E1_UveqauF4jbHbN5LbvF-QSAIiZIlI_UuAF2JX0zCOIfkbsir8qeD7HW1vQzkO4HS6Beieprf1RlQLvUAGdm7MG/s1600/DSCN5846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcH9QBe0MSv4WaOH3vTGuz72053PfEri_eno2SillP5yu0PznuQ4h0E1_UveqauF4jbHbN5LbvF-QSAIiZIlI_UuAF2JX0zCOIfkbsir8qeD7HW1vQzkO4HS6Beieprf1RlQLvUAGdm7MG/s1600/DSCN5846.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the tunnels have these vents/natural lighting arches in them. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvC3v4U6FTBlQoJzmIm38tyeJMVZ3tcHl-4aed8mObo1v8aMGqZ-yXyTDZMWcRCnwFVCHHVhtufqh1tGDGzdLaVqgKg3lSAIdv8iZsOYlGS0iDncjk9P9zPHJ7-EI0hZiWTonU85zpn1S/s1600/DSCN5849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvC3v4U6FTBlQoJzmIm38tyeJMVZ3tcHl-4aed8mObo1v8aMGqZ-yXyTDZMWcRCnwFVCHHVhtufqh1tGDGzdLaVqgKg3lSAIdv8iZsOYlGS0iDncjk9P9zPHJ7-EI0hZiWTonU85zpn1S/s1600/DSCN5849.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many crazy spiders.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlohADhUs7PZmnCeAfOrwhE55DkzMt2tjF0EsPHVaUfnBcRS1ypkLjYaswACcnsSzr9KLkrq_sgRDgowbucCVzFWfDscJxYIVua88Kv64omPfMkXAcVx-fgyGQkk5mqB3SC7ND2DMeDxgb/s1600/DSCN5851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlohADhUs7PZmnCeAfOrwhE55DkzMt2tjF0EsPHVaUfnBcRS1ypkLjYaswACcnsSzr9KLkrq_sgRDgowbucCVzFWfDscJxYIVua88Kv64omPfMkXAcVx-fgyGQkk5mqB3SC7ND2DMeDxgb/s1600/DSCN5851.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imagine living here. Photo taken form one of the many many bridges.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-crZ7wSu7dDv3P3UWbLIthlNcJIaYUQ-LkKkg_UU3P6ArFzLPVRG79YC6pxYvKhyphenhyphenhq15MaCXMtf513_VAQFLKSdx7pPybQ-9qA5XkO2zlAZggRqySol2JWZNhOQ2BwWQhNUSMWOSf4rcn/s1600/DSCN5854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-crZ7wSu7dDv3P3UWbLIthlNcJIaYUQ-LkKkg_UU3P6ArFzLPVRG79YC6pxYvKhyphenhyphenhq15MaCXMtf513_VAQFLKSdx7pPybQ-9qA5XkO2zlAZggRqySol2JWZNhOQ2BwWQhNUSMWOSf4rcn/s1600/DSCN5854.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the tropic of cancer again!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKBCvLuMB-eP0QSjWN0aG9RAk5rt3qIrZZw_b-kcABrNi60fxgzH5miyv9hJva7RhpHNdcqoV13C0rErdubOHx2ncYyjh5tMM8AVglp3eqLDIR1DTQKWfLJ1mQZdSsnFyQujRtoqkNyxp/s1600/DSCN5857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKBCvLuMB-eP0QSjWN0aG9RAk5rt3qIrZZw_b-kcABrNi60fxgzH5miyv9hJva7RhpHNdcqoV13C0rErdubOHx2ncYyjh5tMM8AVglp3eqLDIR1DTQKWfLJ1mQZdSsnFyQujRtoqkNyxp/s1600/DSCN5857.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvyHRvpuTnccLh2RdAk-MLNWzJP4BVUxZVWJFCH6RNiLWxdFiSGIrovr3oYQwj4IXnbr1xcTTup_W2BjAzfBoQm_Yhfkg7Tr4M5bF7mnK22d3FTARhvyAhe-mVlW3FjSqHmfEvnEqSDVm/s1600/DSCN5863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvyHRvpuTnccLh2RdAk-MLNWzJP4BVUxZVWJFCH6RNiLWxdFiSGIrovr3oYQwj4IXnbr1xcTTup_W2BjAzfBoQm_Yhfkg7Tr4M5bF7mnK22d3FTARhvyAhe-mVlW3FjSqHmfEvnEqSDVm/s1600/DSCN5863.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The longest tunnels have lights and fans and the whole deal. This was one of the previous few downhills we had.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkbxDPGjWtIAJTCSX55C2NCpUjXtBLGVYli78-1iZfa0zu1Fxxwa31WDWBOh5BCpiKYuUJqL6sQVoz6XdFuc00xkY0d-ZcR8jq3BtjXv0mJC4xEpv__UmTcW3SgCqVM81Gbx2acIpw4wB/s1600/DSCN5864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkbxDPGjWtIAJTCSX55C2NCpUjXtBLGVYli78-1iZfa0zu1Fxxwa31WDWBOh5BCpiKYuUJqL6sQVoz6XdFuc00xkY0d-ZcR8jq3BtjXv0mJC4xEpv__UmTcW3SgCqVM81Gbx2acIpw4wB/s1600/DSCN5864.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More jungle vistas.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmAIequb1qgics0lWVlHKKlpv88O0BZmKcWAUlpcT763WyupxliWY2oET-dDWaq9DKUl5aJbgSrLV9zMUGGmkrs7KZJO_5Zut3pZ7k5gdRms90PcU3-45wuq5NXD7ytfbrbCYiS5gH2IJR/s1600/DSCN5865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmAIequb1qgics0lWVlHKKlpv88O0BZmKcWAUlpcT763WyupxliWY2oET-dDWaq9DKUl5aJbgSrLV9zMUGGmkrs7KZJO_5Zut3pZ7k5gdRms90PcU3-45wuq5NXD7ytfbrbCYiS5gH2IJR/s1600/DSCN5865.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy is supposed to be monitoring the electronics and computers for the tunnels. I saw him walking around the mountainside with his machete. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59LAnLelfILU-oQlIgaqUcF7bHKLGF4gUHFY3F0MlOelUYNkCGgol90fEg5rD5ml5XoNekk1PMD-ZB1NE8FcX2YzMufCwalxFfhOF9seWCHZKWdmcOdZ5UHHVCw_cSkp778c_4PhBv_bz/s1600/DSCN5870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59LAnLelfILU-oQlIgaqUcF7bHKLGF4gUHFY3F0MlOelUYNkCGgol90fEg5rD5ml5XoNekk1PMD-ZB1NE8FcX2YzMufCwalxFfhOF9seWCHZKWdmcOdZ5UHHVCw_cSkp778c_4PhBv_bz/s1600/DSCN5870.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First suspension bridge. This is the small one.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpg9acX0NyyzMtEbR_4W6OJCgYIcQznT4DqorYT3ni0KJYkLwRP7WoI_JOPimYxalB5R-lFwdKseT2hnkPtiOijgXeDVHdlbPgxlCJBB7i1logyoO0MVyvj6kcLppgG9R8hh5hvIv9O40Z/s1600/DSCN5871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpg9acX0NyyzMtEbR_4W6OJCgYIcQznT4DqorYT3ni0KJYkLwRP7WoI_JOPimYxalB5R-lFwdKseT2hnkPtiOijgXeDVHdlbPgxlCJBB7i1logyoO0MVyvj6kcLppgG9R8hh5hvIv9O40Z/s1600/DSCN5871.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bike. Tunnel. Bridge. Mountains.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9kGqJdU19hOSPIvb-hiqLGBcYD-qDb0fGDpLYCm3lXxz8kor4BtpvcMl1c5qOdmQPo7xTOPTLRRc9U6_DHqp4Z-Ws3UG4NJJrXQnamMTvJ2d0_tTYeYzDAMl1qVrqQ0l-gZxrSjVuwLjn/s1600/DSCN5872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9kGqJdU19hOSPIvb-hiqLGBcYD-qDb0fGDpLYCm3lXxz8kor4BtpvcMl1c5qOdmQPo7xTOPTLRRc9U6_DHqp4Z-Ws3UG4NJJrXQnamMTvJ2d0_tTYeYzDAMl1qVrqQ0l-gZxrSjVuwLjn/s1600/DSCN5872.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the big bridge. 300 meters from deck to ground.</td></tr>
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And then my camera died, obviously overwhelmed by all the beautiful scenery I forced it to take in.<br />
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In the morning my shirt was completely soaked, but I hardly cared because it was so beautiful out. By the afternoon the temperatures had moderated since we had climbed so high. We tried to camp behind one of the electronic stations for the tunnels. The guy gave us permission after asking his boss. Then the boss showed up and had us get in his truck. He took us to the quota headquarters where we were able to sleep inside with the medical team who were on the overnight shift. They were very helpful and a lot of fun to talk with.<br />
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Part of our mission for the quota is to record and publish information that is helpful for cyclists in the Philtron's blog. When we took the ride in the truck, we skipped about 10 miles of riding. That means in order to accurately record everything, we will have to ride back in the morning (without packs) and cycle the part we skipped.<br />
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Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12996123128989604910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880795294849350125.post-77208261327054670192014-11-01T12:55:00.003-07:002014-11-01T12:55:49.053-07:00Day 128: Mazatlan to 40D Quota October 28-October 31<div>
Mazatlan to Durango via Mexico Highway 40D: Quota</div>
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Just days after a trip highlight in La Paz, the Philtrons and I have had yet another trip highlight on Mexico Highway 40D: "The Quota" from Mazatlan to Durango. Quotas are toll roads, and to bicycle tourists that means excellent pavement, lower traffic, wide shoulders, and, if the road goes between Mazatlan and Durango, unbelievable scenery and North America's highest suspension bridge. </div>
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The road was extremely grueling. Maybe we were a little soft from being off the bikes for so long, but I think we can safely say that riding from sea level to 9,000 feet over the course of 200 kilometers through sticky jungle heat is indeed an intense ride. What made it more difficult was that we were uncertain of what services were available to us because the road is 1 year old and there is little development along it, and by its nature of a toll road there are few exits to the pueblos along the way. So we carried about 10 liters of water each at the beginning, almost 20 pounds of water weight. </div>
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What made up for the uncertainty and difficulty were two things: exploration and beautiful scenery. In fact they more than make up for the difficult conditions. I will elaborate with photos and descriptions.</div>
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The Philtrons' photos are even more impressive, and I recommend you check out<a href="http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=Sh&page_id=396659&v=S" target="_blank"> their blog </a>for these days because the scenery is so incredible. </div>
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October 28, 2014</div>
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Day 128: 32 miles</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXwMn_y24wYKG2-jQaKp7dM-dYx4PLkWzPe0fX6AgbPPXYIbaq5_yHwhP68ApO_w-KfErbBkirXZQM5QaQk3ZEhgmEwQjc1HlIR3FETx0UBbkI8Is1YhO1r7B52ujW2LtjNEllW6ZV11F/s1600/DSCN5818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXwMn_y24wYKG2-jQaKp7dM-dYx4PLkWzPe0fX6AgbPPXYIbaq5_yHwhP68ApO_w-KfErbBkirXZQM5QaQk3ZEhgmEwQjc1HlIR3FETx0UBbkI8Is1YhO1r7B52ujW2LtjNEllW6ZV11F/s1600/DSCN5818.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6000 Miles!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvw1-iiZ71l9uhJuyrWURI9SLIRczSG8baTzp2IHPw01g6ip2JbgTsbduU4yEIIy2sVBQpxS7NSnBSi18iBucy6CFG3T4L55htNRZiq2xQmi6gxwXMKi6MsCGdPj3evcBGJDDCuLfcdQ_y/s1600/DSCN5821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvw1-iiZ71l9uhJuyrWURI9SLIRczSG8baTzp2IHPw01g6ip2JbgTsbduU4yEIIy2sVBQpxS7NSnBSi18iBucy6CFG3T4L55htNRZiq2xQmi6gxwXMKi6MsCGdPj3evcBGJDDCuLfcdQ_y/s1600/DSCN5821.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The quota has sexy shoulders and the smoothest pavement. A cyclist's dream.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5gcsYrIfvtmRliKSvsB4PGLYiUEQaJ7SqyX5QJV_A0t22dTOCYvyWzc7idIhGTr8CTmyv9LNltuqjiuN4xAZ-QmTkjmSW6JA-2MUnxIQpVbCcxEOrCEnDTR-8G-YWWQY9iT6uRZnIizid/s1600/DSCN5826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5gcsYrIfvtmRliKSvsB4PGLYiUEQaJ7SqyX5QJV_A0t22dTOCYvyWzc7idIhGTr8CTmyv9LNltuqjiuN4xAZ-QmTkjmSW6JA-2MUnxIQpVbCcxEOrCEnDTR-8G-YWWQY9iT6uRZnIizid/s1600/DSCN5826.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountainous jungle. So hot and humid it was one of the top 5 sweatiest moments of my life.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhY9srbYopGr1rHWMBrjugrPyP0kkf6rgXS4dxILATE7aXHNOEDbcjKvdDe70mmsdJ1p7sP8Fjp_pFBiaB-4rKALXOBf2zn5yVrJQxaE5NyyxIETgReW1qHms6lNBIMWS6LFSRENcE3z04/s1600/DSCN5829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhY9srbYopGr1rHWMBrjugrPyP0kkf6rgXS4dxILATE7aXHNOEDbcjKvdDe70mmsdJ1p7sP8Fjp_pFBiaB-4rKALXOBf2zn5yVrJQxaE5NyyxIETgReW1qHms6lNBIMWS6LFSRENcE3z04/s1600/DSCN5829.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pueblo in the mountains. Note the bridge in the middle of the photo is the "Libre" the non-toll road from Mazatlan to Durango.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Xgt2jSjGxKOtbBYRsZFGX4kqRjzdEIdmfedY5HZpufi9amNq7TvA9eI8z-xr7jA_fDCwiLNv4OmAD3A50j0EFc7vtgvt0H3kFVWU5lXfLiov1rEL_Rq0_a2t-MjdxLmovIiCid34wB7l/s1600/DSCN5830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Xgt2jSjGxKOtbBYRsZFGX4kqRjzdEIdmfedY5HZpufi9amNq7TvA9eI8z-xr7jA_fDCwiLNv4OmAD3A50j0EFc7vtgvt0H3kFVWU5lXfLiov1rEL_Rq0_a2t-MjdxLmovIiCid34wB7l/s1600/DSCN5830.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First of many, many tunnels along the toll road.<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vbwrprDIKwlbERwyBQLyordU3TYl80ceaOVUMgrv3gY9F3yZj0MzIfRkayxa2EEDVYxaukJKAfNPZv3RczsIcfSP5p0SklKF0SpEyH61dUJ88zgxJN28MKiQWBB1SZJB5He33BlgwAD6/s1600/DSCN5833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vbwrprDIKwlbERwyBQLyordU3TYl80ceaOVUMgrv3gY9F3yZj0MzIfRkayxa2EEDVYxaukJKAfNPZv3RczsIcfSP5p0SklKF0SpEyH61dUJ88zgxJN28MKiQWBB1SZJB5He33BlgwAD6/s1600/DSCN5833.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jason and Daisy conquering the hill.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Z57MGaLqugxCmwNciIsttb4qri7p7Z6aE4Wzxxu4Ofr2Vq0TbsoMN5AW5yrr5yo2HCV_WpDMYDoCrVWKOhDBoktymziyUr2Sq1LyRXuEX0hyphenhyphen6mm1JmotXb_bPJxQhmCNbQrBbnATFiEV/s1600/DSCN5837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Z57MGaLqugxCmwNciIsttb4qri7p7Z6aE4Wzxxu4Ofr2Vq0TbsoMN5AW5yrr5yo2HCV_WpDMYDoCrVWKOhDBoktymziyUr2Sq1LyRXuEX0hyphenhyphen6mm1JmotXb_bPJxQhmCNbQrBbnATFiEV/s1600/DSCN5837.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We wild camped 32 miles from town at this spot.<br /></td></tr>
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And so we concluded our first day on the Mexican mainland. We did fewer miles than I anticipated, but I'm not complaining because the hills and heat are too intense to go any further.</div>
Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12996123128989604910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880795294849350125.post-38462340164006876932014-11-01T12:08:00.004-07:002014-11-01T12:08:54.689-07:00Day 126-127: La Paz to Mazatlan via FerryOctober 26-27, 2014<br />
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There are few certainties about bicycle touring, but I think I can be certain about this: You will accumulate a massive Karma debt. Our La Paz hosts, Jerry and Celine, were incredibly kind to us: hot breakfasts, hot dinners, food recommendations, and a snorkeling guide connection that was superior in every way to the company we had originally planned to go with. Jerry had even more recommendations, but we didn't take him up on all of them. </div>
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So a big thanks to Jerry and Celine for helping us to maximize our time spent in La Paz!</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">But it was time for us to continue to the mainland, and so we said goodbye and made our way to the ferry. </span></div>
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This ferry is much more oriented towards cargo transportation than tourism, like the British Colombia ferry. As such, we had to cram our bicycles into a small control room without touching any of the buttons, knobs or switches. And we had to leave room for Menno, Spencer, Kate, and a fourth German man who we would meet later.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A semi truck is backing into the tunnel in the middle. </td></tr>
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The ferry is an 16-18 hour ride that goes overnight, leaving at 5:00 pm. They provided dinner and breakfast, which was better than I expected. They played movies and so I watched Gravity, which everyone else told me was a ridiculous plot and too far fetched to be a good movie. I got caught up in it and was really excited. Then I saw a picture of the sunset I missed because I chose to watch the movie instead of going up on the sun deck and I got mad at myself. </div>
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While everyone else slept in tents on the deck, I stayed inside to take advantage of the air conditioning. I slept in the chairs, but judging by my the foul mood I was in when we arrived in Mazatlan mid morning I did not sleep well.<br />
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The sleep was so poor and our ability to conquer our chores so diminished, we switched plans and got a hotel. Once again I was able to successfully save 50 pesos by bargaining it down! The hotel reminded me of a Mexican themed Hogwarts, beautiful and with lots of mysterious passageways and staircases to explore. And all of this was for less than 500 pesos, I think. There was a jankey cieling fan and the beds were a little worn, but no matter. for less than 50 bucks you can get 4 beds, wifi, and beautiful hallways, courtyards, and views.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You should see this thing in action. It is terrifying. We turned this fan off before sleeping under it.</td></tr>
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Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12996123128989604910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880795294849350125.post-60658589414463814712014-11-01T11:33:00.001-07:002014-11-01T11:33:13.857-07:00Day 125: Snorkeling in La PazOctober 25, 2014<br />
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Snorkeling has been at the top of my to do list for La Paz, and we were extremely fortunate to have our hosts set us up with two amazing guides who created an unforgettable day on the ocean. This was truly a highlight of the trip. Throughout the day I reminded myself, <i>this is happening, this is real life. </i><br />
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First we went to a place where whale sharks gather to eat krill and plankton and whatever else it is that they eat. We were unlucky and after 20 minutes of put putting around we gave up and headed for Isla de Isantu and to swim with sea lions. They sound really funny, like they are all belching at each other. They are also very graceful and friendly in the water. We got within a meter of some of them as they played with each other around the rocky island.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a small rocky island off the tip of Isantu.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the gap in the island. We were able to snorkel underneath it and so were the sea lions. That's where you could get <u>really</u> close to them. </td></tr>
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Next we went to a beautiful beach on Isla Isantu and swam in the shallows. No stingrays stings this time!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boat we road. Our guide Leo at at the bow and Israel at the stern.</td></tr>
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And after the shallow beach we went to another unique beach that has a pool of freshwater flowing into the ocean. The guide said he had never seen so much water pooled up there. There were also many little crabs scurrying around the sand.<br />
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Then we went to a coral reef where I found interesting shells and a starfish on the bottom. And we did some more playing around with the shoals of fish. Finally, we went back to the spot where there were supposed to be whale sharks. We stopped there on the way out and there were no whale sharks, but on our way back we saw the fins of a whale shark poking above the water, and a group of snorkelers swimming alongside it. We were not as successful as the other group, but most of us were able to get a glimpse of it while snorkeling. I got a good view of its back and tail fin as it swam underneath me. It was so big I wasn't able to see the whole thing at once! And then it dove deep and we did not see any more.<br />
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Menno and Spencer had GoPro cameras that could go underwater. <a href="http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=Sh&page_id=396425&v=1q" target="_blank">Here is the link to Spencer's blog that hopefully will feature some of those underwater photos.</a> He hasn't updated it yet. I will put some of Menno's pictures up on a separate post after I look at them and organize them.<br />
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When we weren't swimming in the water we enjoyed each other's company on the boat. This truly is a great group to travel with, I feel very fortunate to have met every one of them.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was blue day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't you want to know what she's talking about? Leo at helm looking for whale sharks.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The true Mexican experience.</td></tr>
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La Paz is a trip highlight for sure. We could definitely stay longer but more adventures are down the road!Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12996123128989604910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880795294849350125.post-18711117723542547742014-10-25T00:07:00.003-07:002014-10-25T00:07:47.631-07:00Day 122-124: Ciudad Constitucion to La PazOctober 22-24<br />
70ish miles<br />
64ish miles<br />
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When riding a bicycle, there are certain road conditions you always want to avoid. The long and straight road is often forgotten as one to be avoided. And we certainly had a long, straight road for the better part of 2 days. After cycling for 30 miles or so of straight, flat road (I cannot overemphasize this point: there was literally, not a single curve or bend to the road for over 20 miles) we were so happy to see this little bend that Spencer shouted "CURVE AHEAD! CURVE AHEAD!" and I was inspired to take this photo. This was the highlight of the day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGewMt1frMFWEOgWB_oUPZ3mPtudoqM60AO_9Mm-kE6F1BxI3v1x-3U9IIA82O3-XfB2gcaoVZ83Fuc5DtmqaU3V31vyF8BXhUBUurTzG7NxeBbzneFNh7q6vRAG8nS96vr56K_i3y_xp/s1600/DSCN5675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGewMt1frMFWEOgWB_oUPZ3mPtudoqM60AO_9Mm-kE6F1BxI3v1x-3U9IIA82O3-XfB2gcaoVZ83Fuc5DtmqaU3V31vyF8BXhUBUurTzG7NxeBbzneFNh7q6vRAG8nS96vr56K_i3y_xp/s1600/DSCN5675.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Daisy and Jason snagged this campground that also work well for a scene in an indie film. An elementary school's fustal/basketabll court on the edge of a tiny village.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASmxADC5N0V6bY6S97VWEPX_cB8QU22jL4wg30WvopUD4v9JLqXUGjMCpIz5naIVZJAokcCDRkliMRui8xrCeLTEmJ3s9SZy7fXh8ZOMwHYXjxbTxE7wSDqi92A1eZ0Hje6EdA4oDZnnz/s1600/DSCN5677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASmxADC5N0V6bY6S97VWEPX_cB8QU22jL4wg30WvopUD4v9JLqXUGjMCpIz5naIVZJAokcCDRkliMRui8xrCeLTEmJ3s9SZy7fXh8ZOMwHYXjxbTxE7wSDqi92A1eZ0Hje6EdA4oDZnnz/s1600/DSCN5677.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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That village was called "El Cien" which means 100, because it is 100 miles from La Paz. Clever, eh?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72UTM9Yf_ECeodtbRqQBEJzMAuQ3BFelrssR3gFyDA549YAAQGhnbqnV4DyWxI3LlZ7UcQ1G_gSXBB_dDoBtG8q0oyz8XKnWg8I9m1X4PUDFKQgsmFvCIISqfGxdcFUyEFdEKI6CkEcxG/s1600/DSCN5681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72UTM9Yf_ECeodtbRqQBEJzMAuQ3BFelrssR3gFyDA549YAAQGhnbqnV4DyWxI3LlZ7UcQ1G_gSXBB_dDoBtG8q0oyz8XKnWg8I9m1X4PUDFKQgsmFvCIISqfGxdcFUyEFdEKI6CkEcxG/s1600/DSCN5681.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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We woke up the next morning and did it again. Long, straight, boring road. And then it got really exciting when we had to ride through 20 miles of extra dusty construction with lots of loose sand, washboard gravel, and impatient drivers. It was a day of extremes.<br />
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Finally, we made it to La Paz, our final city on Baja California. Upon arrival we immediately noticed and fell in love with its distinct cultural... wait... is that a Wal-Mart behind the welcome sign?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB529JhHTb4TZDRDTWyWjzWFOFLC_AH2JSl-uXGCx_67tWEU4IdzqcCqBj5F6_-TQFYtt9t7ZNoJ0ffNWajJQqhrjW5l9TIbZky0oEh2Tp8T5QSNU5LM57zortylvXbU4TIh1q_sdq7vvy/s1600/DSCN5686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB529JhHTb4TZDRDTWyWjzWFOFLC_AH2JSl-uXGCx_67tWEU4IdzqcCqBj5F6_-TQFYtt9t7ZNoJ0ffNWajJQqhrjW5l9TIbZky0oEh2Tp8T5QSNU5LM57zortylvXbU4TIh1q_sdq7vvy/s1600/DSCN5686.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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Seriously La Paz is a beautiful town. I know this is true because at the ferry station I listened to tourism propoganda for 30 minutes while waiting in line. A couple told a story about getting drunk, riding in the back of a pick up truck (which, they quickly pointed out, you can't do in the USA), dropping their wallet on the road, and then having it returned to them with nothing missing, including all $500 in US dollars. I had a good chuckle with that and the videos other exaggerated claims.<br />
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My favorite part of La Paz has been our hosts, who had allowed us to stay in their house for 3 nights and even cooked us dinner and hot breakfast. Jason and Daisy met them at a restaurant in North Baja California while I was sleeping because I was too tired.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9X_lVGtKtzC0d0wWWQouqFCZkO4wEMcxxmoS4kV0-0VL4IO_SM96DNUBiV9dvlPJknDvrNvHcwnM6cQ8FOqgSYzf0-8es4YXF_xmSnsEbL63KfKG30r8H4fFdMQT0yIQn1EmlzNAvbu4/s1600/DSCN5687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9X_lVGtKtzC0d0wWWQouqFCZkO4wEMcxxmoS4kV0-0VL4IO_SM96DNUBiV9dvlPJknDvrNvHcwnM6cQ8FOqgSYzf0-8es4YXF_xmSnsEbL63KfKG30r8H4fFdMQT0yIQn1EmlzNAvbu4/s1600/DSCN5687.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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<b>Talking with Cops episode 2:</b><br />
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After going through 20 miles of hellish construction, I pulled over to rest and drink some water. A couple of cops were standing a short distance away in the shade. One of them waved me over, so I went over to him. He asked if I was hungry, and held out a styrofoam box of beef and rice. I accepted and thanked him.<br />
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He left, and a different officer came up to me after a short while. After talking for only a short while I was surprised at how casual our conversation was. We discussed police corruption and he told me about how it harms the reputation of Mexico's law enforcement officers when people hear about the bribes. Then he told me about Cabo San Lucas, and what happens during spring break. Specifically, he told me what you can watch women and men do together when they become intoxicated. He assured me, "Don't worry, no pasa nada." Later he asked me about what I heard about police corruption and mistreatment of foreigners. I avoided the question by talking about bringing drugs and guns into the country. His response was that it was fine to smoke a joint and he wouldn't bust you.<br />
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I left amazed that I was able to understand everything the cop said, and surprised at the direction our conversation went.<br />
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I finished the meal, Jason and Daisy showed up, and we went to the next gas station for carbonated beverages.<br />
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The desert is full of surprises:<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zSclMVOaj2120e1PVlucsFP2dpEI01M1l0-TUI1lZNRZ5_Rnr0rWH_9y73iX3zFNEIlX3MNBI9qfCMZoACqXhdRuJSdMxLYD_EMQRyDfeh5KYqHdPrjedCzGgKkdg8V43ZdOSyWOEMmz/s1600/DSCN5684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zSclMVOaj2120e1PVlucsFP2dpEI01M1l0-TUI1lZNRZ5_Rnr0rWH_9y73iX3zFNEIlX3MNBI9qfCMZoACqXhdRuJSdMxLYD_EMQRyDfeh5KYqHdPrjedCzGgKkdg8V43ZdOSyWOEMmz/s1600/DSCN5684.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a><br />
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Question: In the photo below, what is the dog missing that makes him unlike most other Mexican dogs? (scroll down for answer)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2pqVukVcuztmTWJDd0OrHxpMqOvmqYsChS2kdbjPLYM3zTDFZxO9SrBBkRRdV6xFtZkXFMOiDQ6EJCSwJVgyWlP92Kb8doOgT0KQ6Wd3rrAg6z4spq9zue3xLI77m_029Y9IVepnlZRq/s1600/DSCN5673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2pqVukVcuztmTWJDd0OrHxpMqOvmqYsChS2kdbjPLYM3zTDFZxO9SrBBkRRdV6xFtZkXFMOiDQ6EJCSwJVgyWlP92Kb8doOgT0KQ6Wd3rrAg6z4spq9zue3xLI77m_029Y9IVepnlZRq/s1600/DSCN5673.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Answer: He's missing his testicles! I'll bet you were going to say "His right ear." Jasper and his litter mate are the first neutered dogs we have seen in Mexico. He is super friendly, old, and has bad knees so when he leans on you he really leans and nearly falls over. Delightful dog.</div>
Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12996123128989604910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880795294849350125.post-24055326881276286272014-10-21T19:34:00.001-07:002014-10-21T19:34:18.609-07:00Day 120-121 Loreto to Ciudad ConstitucionOctober 20-21<br />
12 miles, 68 miles<br />
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We are back in the middle of the peninsula after enduring a set of mountains and a long, straights section of flat land. The mountains were beautiful, but we paid for it later when we had to endure 20 miles of straight flat prairie that looked like it could have been any prairie in the USA. But with cacti.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM76Sfxm8eOvCTFGso7csC17L0Ggr8Njy8WAzK51TKX2UKE9H0dEQs64NdM8A31HDyRcfItYP0yCNXNxEzpaQrWO4nrnxqfdk4AW49OMax3hJ_SAqxBexcurD1uerDcMoP8ydish8UfC6U/s1600/DSCN5660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM76Sfxm8eOvCTFGso7csC17L0Ggr8Njy8WAzK51TKX2UKE9H0dEQs64NdM8A31HDyRcfItYP0yCNXNxEzpaQrWO4nrnxqfdk4AW49OMax3hJ_SAqxBexcurD1uerDcMoP8ydish8UfC6U/s1600/DSCN5660.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_f2uW-v12hENzn9f9wmS2C4xhJy3pvaJeRWDBBKmdYu_VLTPtGfEbNECWdt6_hAaTc0Vsalg6jidJpirukmSbv59-2R9FmSp70bSjiYZ06siKrhk28wjgZdkaEsHjllQbn84SkhT4DIj/s1600/DSCN5657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_f2uW-v12hENzn9f9wmS2C4xhJy3pvaJeRWDBBKmdYu_VLTPtGfEbNECWdt6_hAaTc0Vsalg6jidJpirukmSbv59-2R9FmSp70bSjiYZ06siKrhk28wjgZdkaEsHjllQbn84SkhT4DIj/s1600/DSCN5657.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br /><br />
These are some of the mountains we had to cross. Sorry about the sun. It has been relentless, as it is in the photo.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuQR0DJzALEvzXLhHkPmOrL287osxQ1ilf-zwQYVgm_IGEeiXJbInUcY1bIlFh8F0112PEdB4l80eJfnZFC4tea5Re9VAVFqUPJ8hC_rLNJkGx6KiyCVDhZCAgTVC5QATflRKAa-Qnpce/s1600/DSCN5643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuQR0DJzALEvzXLhHkPmOrL287osxQ1ilf-zwQYVgm_IGEeiXJbInUcY1bIlFh8F0112PEdB4l80eJfnZFC4tea5Re9VAVFqUPJ8hC_rLNJkGx6KiyCVDhZCAgTVC5QATflRKAa-Qnpce/s1600/DSCN5643.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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The enormous tarantula is by far the coolest thing we saw today. Jason spotted it trying to cross the road. Although they only bite when they are disturbed, picking one up is not advised.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLReadIG0_tw8mpf-vNqqYOUFHvY07KK69Z5zWaZJ5I0-AZfucyHcAy_Yu_7d_F0zrLqHhNJcssImf5DwDnwPzy9LW61rEphAfn_826UW39C7hWaEcBZ1124vLcCrzfCqHAbvuv4O64tP/s1600/DSCN5655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLReadIG0_tw8mpf-vNqqYOUFHvY07KK69Z5zWaZJ5I0-AZfucyHcAy_Yu_7d_F0zrLqHhNJcssImf5DwDnwPzy9LW61rEphAfn_826UW39C7hWaEcBZ1124vLcCrzfCqHAbvuv4O64tP/s1600/DSCN5655.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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Here is a photo of the area where we will are spending the night. Between the time I took this photo and now as I type this entry we gained 4 more people and 4 more tents.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5IOOlzV5VvXbQSUQb1_u2evyn9SeQsmQI-bjvcImXCPhKHO7Rt36RgLWGdxvDEv3CXnltfWC11_HuWaYjQuymNVuuD2pmCCEhDmmUXkeJ2yxsFdn6_Kh1q7Xh7fN91wCmaD3BzNzsGOKb/s1600/DSCN5662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5IOOlzV5VvXbQSUQb1_u2evyn9SeQsmQI-bjvcImXCPhKHO7Rt36RgLWGdxvDEv3CXnltfWC11_HuWaYjQuymNVuuD2pmCCEhDmmUXkeJ2yxsFdn6_Kh1q7Xh7fN91wCmaD3BzNzsGOKb/s1600/DSCN5662.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is also the most awesome pool design I have ever seen. I floated on my back around Cactus Island several times.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrWeptZQE0e5UgQNXIK5-WY13OHFprmm0podsf5tWqT5Kwiv-7lRhClQS06ONMYhYDzwhUkwecWjGmkFHb7Z1XWp0QFMyGl02MHluO8NFeFz64SzxeYcgGQ1B_VuPADgn5vSZpm6SdR5A/s1600/DSCN5667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrWeptZQE0e5UgQNXIK5-WY13OHFprmm0podsf5tWqT5Kwiv-7lRhClQS06ONMYhYDzwhUkwecWjGmkFHb7Z1XWp0QFMyGl02MHluO8NFeFz64SzxeYcgGQ1B_VuPADgn5vSZpm6SdR5A/s1600/DSCN5667.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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In an earlier post I forgot to mention that our 11 year old friend, Eduardo, pointed out that I have caspa. It took us a while to figure out that caspa means dandruff. I went into educator mode and tried to impress upon him the importance of personal hygiene. <br />
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Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12996123128989604910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880795294849350125.post-31600208217629427542014-10-19T22:01:00.002-07:002014-10-19T22:01:16.867-07:00Days 116-119 Santa Rosalia to LoretoDay 116-119<br />
September 16-19<br />
Rest day, 40 miles, 13 miles, 53 miles<br />
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Bargaining, Beaches, and Stingrays<br />
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Although it goes against my non-confrontational nature, I have had some success in bargaining for lower rates at the places where we stay. After lowering the rate from 500 pesos to 450 for a night for Kate and Spencer, I successfully got the same rate for Tanja and Meno. Here they are trying to avoid carrying bags up the stairs. Personally I think this looks like more work, but it was definitely more fun.<br />
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On the second night of our two night stay in Santa Rosalia, we walked along the shorefront area and along the streets. The streets were surprisingly busy. There were cars bumper to bumper going along the two main one way streets. I'm not sure what they were doing, but the streets were so narrow, the cars so many, and the sidewalks so close to the cars that by the end of our walk my lungs were noticeably irritated. At the end we also got food at a nice little restaurant. It was a most enjoyable time!<br />
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After Santa Rosalia came the first of two beaches we slept at. It was the first one we came to, and when it looks this good on the approach, how could you say no?<br />
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The sign said 100 pesos for a night (just under 10 dollars) and we decided that was too much. It was 25 pesos more than we had ever paid in Mexico for camping, so we agreed if I could get it knocked down to 75 we would probably all stay there. After back to back nights of successful negotiating, I was feeling lucky so I went to see if I could get a better price. I told her that 75 was a better price for us, and she after she thought for a second, she said "Okay, 70 pesos."<br />
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And that is how I negotiated a lower price than my initial offer.<br />
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And I wasted no time to begin splashing in the ocean!<br />
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Bug net couple. I hope they don't mind me putting this photo up. I love it. The mosquitoes here bite harder than any on this trip so far.<br />
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And we had a nice sunset. Unbeknownst to us at the time we paid, there was a little party going on at the restaurant behind our little palm hut things. So the music went from Mexican/Carribian/Latin themed music, which I was really digging, to 80's rock and pop, then to party pop, and finally hitting rock bottom with <i>Sexy and I Know It</i> and <i>I'm Too Sexy</i>. It was super loud, but I somehow managed to fall asleep shortly after they transitioned back into some Latin based stuff.<br />
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Sleeping is difficult in Mexico because of obnoxious dogs that snarl and bark and yelp in the middle of the night no matter where you go. So even when the music died down, we had to endure two dogs fighting throughout the night. Fortunately sleepless nights on the Mexican beach can be remedied like this in the morning:<br />
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We swam in the ocean for an hour or so in the morning before getting back on the bikes. We rode for a whopping 13 miles before stopping at another beach for the night.<br />
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We stopped at a restaurant/cabin rental place owned by an ex-pat and what I think may be his wife, but I'm not entirely sure. At any rate the woman was rude and mean. We asked if we could get some water, and she told us that we could not because they had just driven 30 miles into town for it. Then when we requested to pay 10 pesos for the internet password (which the sign made clear was available to us for the price as long as you didn't stream, download a lot or otherwise use a lot of bandwidth) she accused us of plotting ot have one person pay and then share the password with everyone else so we could all download high definition, two hour long videos of child pornography porn. She actually did accuse us of plotting to share the password, but not the porn part. I added that part because talked and acted as if that is what we were doing. She was crazy.<br />
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The ex-pat was a cool guy though, and as laid back and nice as she was crazy. "I have plenty of water, don't worry about it," was what he said while she went off on a rant about why we should wait until tomorrow to bike 20 more miles to get more water. He also told us about how to find clams in the water in front of his place. Jason, Daisy, Spencer, and I went to give it a try.<br />
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We found nothing except for Jason's 2 rocks. Then Jason yelled "Ouch!" very loudly. Turns out he stepped on a stingray!<br />
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The proper cure for getting stung by a stingray is to immerse the stung body part in 113 degree water, scalding hot. This temperature is a happy medium that is hot enough to break down the chemicals in the poison, but cool enough not to destroy flesh. It just makes everything swollen. Here is Jason suffering while mellow Ex Pat tells him how he will be fine in the morning. The man talked about Jason's dire condition in the as if it were a bump on the head. His even keeled nonchalance was almost annoying, and probably was extremely annoying to Jason, but I guess he just knew better than all of us that his voodoo-witchcraft-medicine technique actually worked.<br />
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As Jason recovered we mad a pot-luck dinner of lentil/carrot/cabbage soup with chicken broth with sides of rice and cucumbers. It was delightful.<br />
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Stingray beach.<br />
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On October 19, we rode from BuenaVentura to Loreto. This required us to cycle inland a little bit and see some beautiful mountain ranges.<br />
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In town I met Eduardo, who explained to me how gearing works, and figured out what all the cables are connected to. Sharp kid.<br />
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He also was our tour guide. It was fun talking with him, and I think he enjoyed the company. When we left, he laid on my back saddlebags and said "Don't go! Don't go! Don't go!" Spencer has a picture of it and I'll post it when I get ahold of it. Right now we are at Hotel Posada in Loreto. Tomorrow we head for La Paz, where I will hopefully partake in kayaking and snorkeling!<br />
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And now for the daily Mexico fail: This poor dog did not move more than 10 feet at a time until 9:00 at night when the sun had been down for hours and the temperature began to cool. Pet owner fail.<br />
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Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12996123128989604910noreply@blogger.com0