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| Gas Station in Williams, AZ |
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| Neat gas station |
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| Beautiful woman with an old car. |
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| Great photo |
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| A great smile with the Dam in the background. |
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Route 66 and Las Vegas
We left Flagstaff, AZ around 8:30 am for our 3 plus hour drive to Las Vegas. Our first stop is about 20 miles away for breakfast in Williams, AZ. Finally, we find a country restaurant which had a a great breakfast. After breakfast we left the beautiful little town of Williams and headed for Route 66 to Kingman, AZ, This route took us off the the interstate to a beautiful drive through old route 66 with some small towns with incredible scenery.
After driving for about 1 hour we discovered a wonderful little place off the side of the road with many memories and memorabilia about Route 66.
From here we headed to Kingman, AZ which was a bit of a disappointment. So we headed out to Nevada with a stop at the Hoover Dam and the new highway.
We arrive at my brother's house around 3:00 pm and emptied out some items in the car so my mother would be able to ride around with us. My mother can not walk without aid any more which is sad. However, we were still able to get around town a bit. Three days is about my limit in this city. Tonight the family is going out to dinner for barbeque. Tomorrow we will be heading toward California via Death Valley.
Leaving New Mexico and heading to Flagstaff, Arizona
On Wednesday, October 5, 2011 we left Santa Fe and our first stop was 50 miles away Old Town, Albuquerque. The old area was small and very easy to walk around in a couple of hours. The center square was quite nice and the shops were a bit more reasonable then Santa Fe. Interesting thing we learned in talking with one of the store owners is that New Mexico is the only state that has USA on it's license plates. I guess there are a lot of people who do not realize the New Mexico is part of the US. We made a few purchases and then headed out again.
We drove for a few more hours and then needed gas. I kept seeing a billboard advertizing a burger called Laguna . I had no idea what this meant until we came to this exit. There is a Native American tribe in New Mexico called Laguna. The stop for gas also had a dinner called Laguna. For $3.99 we had best freshest 1/2 pound burger ever. We head out again for Arizona. This drive had some very beautiful scenery as shown in these photos.
We make one more stop for the elusive Native American pottery. This happens to be at the continental divide in New Mexico.
We arrived in Flagstaff around 5:00 pm. We checked into simple motel walking distance to downtown. After settling in we walk into town. We found a very popular Thai restaurant and had a wonderful, wonderful meal. On to Las Vegas.
We drove for a few more hours and then needed gas. I kept seeing a billboard advertizing a burger called Laguna . I had no idea what this meant until we came to this exit. There is a Native American tribe in New Mexico called Laguna. The stop for gas also had a dinner called Laguna. For $3.99 we had best freshest 1/2 pound burger ever. We head out again for Arizona. This drive had some very beautiful scenery as shown in these photos.
We make one more stop for the elusive Native American pottery. This happens to be at the continental divide in New Mexico.
We arrived in Flagstaff around 5:00 pm. We checked into simple motel walking distance to downtown. After settling in we walk into town. We found a very popular Thai restaurant and had a wonderful, wonderful meal. On to Las Vegas.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Taos NM and the mountains
This was one a Elenita's suggestions and I have to admit I was not crazy about it. However, I was very happy we did this. Let's see this is Tuesday, October 4, 2011. Taos is a little higher up the mountain then Santa Fe. The drive was amazingly beautiful. We took one road up and a different route down. Taos is a bit more charming then Santa Fe. It is also a bit smaller however, we did notice a bit more pricey also. After about 3 hours we headed back on the different but very beautiful mountain road.
Once we returned to Santa Fe we decided to eat at a recommended restaurant Tomasitas. This is an authentic New Mexico cuisine restaurant. The food is similar to Mexican but different. In New Mexico a lot of food is cooked with green and red chiles. A lot of sauces are also made with these chiles and poured on top of the dishes. The food we had this night was wonderful and memorable. Our next stop will be Flagstaff, Arizona.
Once we returned to Santa Fe we decided to eat at a recommended restaurant Tomasitas. This is an authentic New Mexico cuisine restaurant. The food is similar to Mexican but different. In New Mexico a lot of food is cooked with green and red chiles. A lot of sauces are also made with these chiles and poured on top of the dishes. The food we had this night was wonderful and memorable. Our next stop will be Flagstaff, Arizona.
Driving to Santa Fe, New Meixo USA
Wow talk about a boring drive. Living in California I always thought that interstate 5 was a boring drive until this part of New Mexico.
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This sign was at a rest stop in New Mexico. After arriving in Santa Fe 2 1/2 hours later we decided to walk around town. Wow Santa Fe is filled with many high end art galleries, restaurants and shops. The town was nice but a little bit over the top. We then went back and checked in to our hotel . We rested a little and went back to the old town to look for a place to eat. But first we wanted to just have an appetizer and then walk around before eating dinner. We go into a place called The Shed at about 5:15 pm and notice that the place has a line of people waiting to have dinner at 5:30. This was an interesting town because a lot of the shops close and 5:30 and everyone just goes out and eats. We did walk for a little while and were able to find some opened. We then want and had a salad at a small restaurant and then returned to our hotel for the night. |
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Driving toward Santa Fe New Mexico
Monday, October 3, 2011
Saturday in Texas
In a small town outside of San Antonio there is a large German population, Fredericksburg. We decided to venture out and visit the area. It was also the beginning of Oktoberfest. The town was charming and quaint however, like most of the places today it was crowded and mostly had shopping. We never were able to eat in any of the restaurants because of the amount of people. After a few hours we headed back to San Antonio and stopped at another little town Boerne for dinner. This town was less crowded and was very charming.
The 60 Birthday
Our drive to San Antonio took about 3 hours from the border. We checked into our very nice Best Western hotel about 3 blocks from the riverwalk. The hotel and the location could not be any better. We rested for a few hours and then headed out for a wonderful dinner on the Riverwalk.
To celebrate Elenita's 60th birthday here are some photos and a little music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpTR15iOACM
To celebrate Elenita's 60th birthday here are some photos and a little music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpTR15iOACM
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Traveling to the border
On Thursday, September 29, 2011 we started our 5 month journey through Mexico and the US. Our first stop was Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico. This city is a nice 6 hour drive from San Miguel and 2 1/2 hours from the border. So this was a perfect place to stop for the night. We pulled into the recommended hotel Rancho el Morillo. The hotel had simple rooms but a very beautiful and extensive garden area.
After checking in we took a taxi to the central part of the city. We spent some time at the famous Sarape museum. We then walked to the Katrina museum. This museum was the work of one man and quite interesting, He not only made all the Katrina's, he was also our tour guide through the museum. Afterwards we walked around central and met a gentleman who spoke English and was very proud of his city. He explained several things about Saltillo and what to see. He is a teacher and a tour guide. He asked us to help him correct one of his students papers. We then walked over to the the Alameda park and spent some time walking around. Afterwards we went and had a nice dinner and then went back to the hotel.
Friday, September 30, 2011 we awoke to a beautiful day. We had breakfast at the hotel and then started our 2 1/2 hour drive to the border. The beginning part of the drive around Monterrey was absolutely beautiful with majestically tall mountains surrounding the city. After turning north toward the border the land went from hilly to flat but stayed very green. After crossing the border we then headed to San Antonio, Texas to celebrate Elenita's 60th birthday.
After checking in we took a taxi to the central part of the city. We spent some time at the famous Sarape museum. We then walked to the Katrina museum. This museum was the work of one man and quite interesting, He not only made all the Katrina's, he was also our tour guide through the museum. Afterwards we walked around central and met a gentleman who spoke English and was very proud of his city. He explained several things about Saltillo and what to see. He is a teacher and a tour guide. He asked us to help him correct one of his students papers. We then walked over to the the Alameda park and spent some time walking around. Afterwards we went and had a nice dinner and then went back to the hotel.
Friday, September 30, 2011 we awoke to a beautiful day. We had breakfast at the hotel and then started our 2 1/2 hour drive to the border. The beginning part of the drive around Monterrey was absolutely beautiful with majestically tall mountains surrounding the city. After turning north toward the border the land went from hilly to flat but stayed very green. After crossing the border we then headed to San Antonio, Texas to celebrate Elenita's 60th birthday.
Monday, September 26, 2011
On the road again
This Thursday, September 29, 2011 we are heading out for a 5 month trip. Our first stop will be the beautiful city of Saltillo,Coahuila, Mexico. Saltillo is about a 6 hour drive north of San Miguel. Our plan after checking into our hotel is to visit the museum of woven multi-coloured sarapes.
http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/920-saltillo-mexico-color-culture-and-colonial-charm
You can follow us by adding your email address on the right FOLLOW BY EMAIL. You will then receive email notifications every time we add a new page to the blog.
http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/920-saltillo-mexico-color-culture-and-colonial-charm
You can follow us by adding your email address on the right FOLLOW BY EMAIL. You will then receive email notifications every time we add a new page to the blog.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
The ruins and the magic of Jerez
On Saturday, August 27, 2011 we decided to explore areas around the city of Zacatecas. Our first destination is about 1hour and 15 minutes south of the city an ancient ruin called La Quemada La Quemada grew into the largest pre-Columbian settlement known in southern Zacatecas. Its original name is unknown; it was christened La Quemada by the early Spaniards who found evidence of a great conflagration. On our arrival we watched a short movie about the area and what little information is known about the indigenous people who built the ruins in the area.
The beautiful museum has a scale model showing more than 50 terraces and about 1 km2 of constructions. Occupied from about 200 - 300 AD, its population peaked after 500 AD, before the site was abandoned about 1000 AD, 1000 years ago. The residential elite lived on the edge of the hills. We then found a volunteer guide to take us through the site. Once at the site we had no idea how large it was and in the essence of time we realized we could not see the entire site today. Our guide was wonderful he showed us all the highlights and discussed how they believe the city was built and what certain areas were used for. We have visited many different ruins in our travels. This one was very different and interesting.
Our next stop was about 30 minutes down the road to the town of Jerez. Mexico uses a category for beautiful, special and historical towns called Pueblo Mágicos. The town of Jerez is truly a very beautiful and magical place. Our first experience was looking for a place to eat. When I asked a passerby for a recommendation she not only told us of a wonderful place but also took us there. The restaurant was called La Palma. There specialty is Burritos. As the waiter took our order I noticed the tee-shirt he was wearing. I asked him if they sell them. The shirt had the name of the restaurant and on the sleeve was written Jerez Pueblo Mágico. He went in the back and called the owner and said I could buy one for 60 pesos ($5) if I come back in 1 hour. No problem, we walked around the town and visited a small museum, the center park area, the theater and different buildings taking photos. This is a lovely small town with a lot of pride. About a 1 hour and 30 minutes later we returned to the restaurant and not only was my shirt there but a free one for Elenita and then a gift which was a small ceramic boot with the name of the restaurant from a fair this year. One of the many reason we love this country: The People.
The beautiful museum has a scale model showing more than 50 terraces and about 1 km2 of constructions. Occupied from about 200 - 300 AD, its population peaked after 500 AD, before the site was abandoned about 1000 AD, 1000 years ago. The residential elite lived on the edge of the hills. We then found a volunteer guide to take us through the site. Once at the site we had no idea how large it was and in the essence of time we realized we could not see the entire site today. Our guide was wonderful he showed us all the highlights and discussed how they believe the city was built and what certain areas were used for. We have visited many different ruins in our travels. This one was very different and interesting.
Our next stop was about 30 minutes down the road to the town of Jerez. Mexico uses a category for beautiful, special and historical towns called Pueblo Mágicos. The town of Jerez is truly a very beautiful and magical place. Our first experience was looking for a place to eat. When I asked a passerby for a recommendation she not only told us of a wonderful place but also took us there. The restaurant was called La Palma. There specialty is Burritos. As the waiter took our order I noticed the tee-shirt he was wearing. I asked him if they sell them. The shirt had the name of the restaurant and on the sleeve was written Jerez Pueblo Mágico. He went in the back and called the owner and said I could buy one for 60 pesos ($5) if I come back in 1 hour. No problem, we walked around the town and visited a small museum, the center park area, the theater and different buildings taking photos. This is a lovely small town with a lot of pride. About a 1 hour and 30 minutes later we returned to the restaurant and not only was my shirt there but a free one for Elenita and then a gift which was a small ceramic boot with the name of the restaurant from a fair this year. One of the many reason we love this country: The People.
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| City park Map of Zacatecas |
Monday, September 19, 2011
Zacatecas
On Thursday, August 25, 2011 for our 4th wedding anniversary we decided to drive to the city of Zacatecas in the state of Zacatecas. This was a 4 1/2 hour drive north of our home in San Miguel de Allende.We left at 8:45 am and arrived in Zacatecas at about 1:15 pm. It was a beautiful drive through mountain roads with large amounts of Joshua trees. Our hotel was right in the heart of the city. After we checked in we walked over to the tourist office and got some suggestions on how to begin our exploring. We first went to a lovely little restaurant for a simple lunch.
With our suggestions we took a taxi to the highest point of the city where there was a cable car you can take over the city. This is were we started our exploring.
After our ride down we walked a few blocks to see the city below the ground. Zacatecas is a old mining town and they have made the old mines into a tourist attraction. There are some places where we were between 500 and 750 feet below the streets. We were with a small group and had a wonderful guide. At the end of our tour there was an underground bar.
The bar was truly amazing. After having a cold drink in a cold place we were ready to ascend to the warmth of the sunlight. We had to wait a little while for a train to take us out. This was the only way we could exit.
After exiting we explored the surface streets of the city looking for a restaurant to have a special dinner. We received some recommendations from locals and after checking them out we decided on a quaint place in a very nice hotel. We explored and then rested. We walked over to the restaurant around 7:30 stopping at times to listen to street musicians. When we get to the restaurant and sit down we are the only ones there. Elenita said thank you for reserving the entire place for our anniversary. We had two waiters, the cook and a maitre d' take care of us all night.
After a great meal and fabulous service it was time to go to sleep and look forward to the next day.
Friday, August 26, 2011 in Zacatecas. We decided to take the tourist trolly around the city. Afterwards we walked around the city shopping and going to museums. The first museum was a mask museum which was donated from a private collection. This was an incredible place displaying masks used in indigenous ceremony's throughout Mexico. Later in the evening we went to an Italian restaurant that again was amazing food especially for the price and quality. We were falling in love with Zacatecas, the people, the food and the beauty of this wonderful city. I believe if the city was not so far away from everything I could live here.
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| Lunch |
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| The Hill |
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| City Views |
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| The teléferico |
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| A beautiful woman at the bar |
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| Waiting for the train |
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| Finally in the sun |
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| The salad |
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| Cooking Elenita's steak |
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| The special dessert |
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| It was wonderful |
After a great meal and fabulous service it was time to go to sleep and look forward to the next day.
Friday, August 26, 2011 in Zacatecas. We decided to take the tourist trolly around the city. Afterwards we walked around the city shopping and going to museums. The first museum was a mask museum which was donated from a private collection. This was an incredible place displaying masks used in indigenous ceremony's throughout Mexico. Later in the evening we went to an Italian restaurant that again was amazing food especially for the price and quality. We were falling in love with Zacatecas, the people, the food and the beauty of this wonderful city. I believe if the city was not so far away from everything I could live here.
One of the things we discover when we arrive in Zacatecas was that this weekend was the end of a two week jazz and blues festival. Tonight after our wonderful dinner we walked over to the Jazz festival and paid our 50 pesos ($4) and for the next 2 1/2 hours we listened to some beautiful music. The setting was lounge like with little tables were one could order inexpensive drinks. The music, the environment, the people were all fantastic. One of the major differences from were we live is we would have paid 200 to 300 pesos ($15 to $25) for this quality of music. We had a great day that ended with a great evening. Tomorrow we are going to venture out and see the country side around Zacatecas.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Introduction
Elenita and I met in 2005. We were married in August of 2007, in November we moved to San Miguel de Allende in the heart of Mexico.
In 2008 we purchased our house in San Miguel. Just outside of the central area but walking distance to everything. Wow what views we have.
In the beginning our traveling consisted of two guided tours. Our first was to the state of Chiapas. We visited the city of San Cristóbal de las Casas and the Mayan ruins of Palenque. Our next trip was to Copper Canyon in the the state of Chihuahua in Northern Mexico. Both trips were very beautiful places and our leader David Rico was amazing.
In 2009 we decided to drive back to northern California for Elenita's son's graduation and then to southern California for a wedding. Our drive along the pacific coast of Mexico took us through the states of Jalisco, Nayarit. Sinaloa and Sonora. We visited the beach city of Mazatlan, the beautiful colonial town of Alamos and then the beach town of San Carlos.
In the winter of 2009/2010 our weather in San Miguel was bitter cold and miserable. In January of 2010 we decided to go to the beach for 10 days with another couple. With recommendations from friends we discovered the southern part of the state of Jalisco, Barra de Navidad/Melaque. Driving around the area we fell in love with this part of Mexico as well as the town of La Manzanilla just 20 minutes north. In March of 2010 we spent a month at a friend's condo in the city of Manzanillo about 1 hour south. We realized how much we loved the beach and made reservations for the following January in the small town of La Manzanilla.
In November of 2010 we traveled to the state of Veracruz with wonderful friends Dick and Trish as traveling partners. We visited many different areas of the state including the city of Veracruz. We stopped in the city of Puebla for three nights in the beginning and it was wonderful.
On December 31, 2010, we left San Miguel for our month in La Manzanilla. Our first stop was in the Lake Chapala area, the little town of Ajijic to celebrate New Year's eve with one our favorite groups, The Tallboys Band. On January 1st we headed to La Manzanilla. This was a wonderful month of relaxing, walking on the beach every morning and exploring. We discovered small quaint little beach towns along the Jalisco coast. This is becoming one of our favorite locations. Our plans are to visit every winter. After our month we drove north to Puerto Vallarta and spent 3 days in the city eating at wonderful places and visiting. We took a day trip to the town of San Sebastian about 1 hour east of Puerto Vallarta. We then pick up a friend who wanted to drive back with us from Puerto Vallarta. We stopped along the way at some northern beach towns and then ended up in the town of Tequila for the night. The next day we arrived back in San Miguel to beautiful weather.
We have spent many days visiting Mexico City over the last four years. Of course our favorite B&B will always be The Red Tree House. |We have discovered some less expensive place also so we can go more often. Mexico City is a beautiful cosmopolitan city with many different types of restaurants. The neighborhood of La Condesa will always have a place in our heart.
Also, being music lovers we have gone to some wonderful concerts:
In 2008 we went to the city of Querétaro to see Juanes.
In 2009 Carlos Santana played in the metro area of Guadalajara.
In 2010 we saw Paul McCartney in Mexico City.
We have traveled to many different places around Mexico. We have gotten to know our neighbors in the state of Querétaro very well. We have seen some very beautiful places and hopefully we will continue.
We are learning how much we enjoy traveling around Mexico.Our future goal is to write about our adventures and share them with anyone who wants to know more about this beautiful country.
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| Our wedding day |
In 2008 we purchased our house in San Miguel. Just outside of the central area but walking distance to everything. Wow what views we have.
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| A view from our roof top |
In the beginning our traveling consisted of two guided tours. Our first was to the state of Chiapas. We visited the city of San Cristóbal de las Casas and the Mayan ruins of Palenque. Our next trip was to Copper Canyon in the the state of Chihuahua in Northern Mexico. Both trips were very beautiful places and our leader David Rico was amazing.
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| Palenque |
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| A view of Copper Canyon |
In 2009 we decided to drive back to northern California for Elenita's son's graduation and then to southern California for a wedding. Our drive along the pacific coast of Mexico took us through the states of Jalisco, Nayarit. Sinaloa and Sonora. We visited the beach city of Mazatlan, the beautiful colonial town of Alamos and then the beach town of San Carlos.
In the winter of 2009/2010 our weather in San Miguel was bitter cold and miserable. In January of 2010 we decided to go to the beach for 10 days with another couple. With recommendations from friends we discovered the southern part of the state of Jalisco, Barra de Navidad/Melaque. Driving around the area we fell in love with this part of Mexico as well as the town of La Manzanilla just 20 minutes north. In March of 2010 we spent a month at a friend's condo in the city of Manzanillo about 1 hour south. We realized how much we loved the beach and made reservations for the following January in the small town of La Manzanilla.
In November of 2010 we traveled to the state of Veracruz with wonderful friends Dick and Trish as traveling partners. We visited many different areas of the state including the city of Veracruz. We stopped in the city of Puebla for three nights in the beginning and it was wonderful.
On December 31, 2010, we left San Miguel for our month in La Manzanilla. Our first stop was in the Lake Chapala area, the little town of Ajijic to celebrate New Year's eve with one our favorite groups, The Tallboys Band. On January 1st we headed to La Manzanilla. This was a wonderful month of relaxing, walking on the beach every morning and exploring. We discovered small quaint little beach towns along the Jalisco coast. This is becoming one of our favorite locations. Our plans are to visit every winter. After our month we drove north to Puerto Vallarta and spent 3 days in the city eating at wonderful places and visiting. We took a day trip to the town of San Sebastian about 1 hour east of Puerto Vallarta. We then pick up a friend who wanted to drive back with us from Puerto Vallarta. We stopped along the way at some northern beach towns and then ended up in the town of Tequila for the night. The next day we arrived back in San Miguel to beautiful weather.
We have spent many days visiting Mexico City over the last four years. Of course our favorite B&B will always be The Red Tree House. |We have discovered some less expensive place also so we can go more often. Mexico City is a beautiful cosmopolitan city with many different types of restaurants. The neighborhood of La Condesa will always have a place in our heart.
Also, being music lovers we have gone to some wonderful concerts:
In 2008 we went to the city of Querétaro to see Juanes.
In 2009 Carlos Santana played in the metro area of Guadalajara.
In 2010 we saw Paul McCartney in Mexico City.
We have traveled to many different places around Mexico. We have gotten to know our neighbors in the state of Querétaro very well. We have seen some very beautiful places and hopefully we will continue.
We are learning how much we enjoy traveling around Mexico.Our future goal is to write about our adventures and share them with anyone who wants to know more about this beautiful country.
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