TWO HAPPY CAMPERS

Parras de la Fuente, Coahuila to La Gran Reserve, Coahuila //

Juan’s property outside the town of Parras was a perfecty fine place to spend a night but it holds no real appeal for us.  We pack up shortly after waking up and get back on the road.  Today we opt for a two lane highway that will take us ninety miles to our next destination.  It’s a quiet road with little traffic and is a nice departure from some of the hectic highway driving we’ve partaken in the last few days.  

Mark and I have always lived by the mantra “avoid the interstate”.  We love taking in our surroundings at 55mph and feel like a lot of treasures are missed when speeding across an interstate.  It’s been against our nature to be traveling on Mexico’s primary highways and toll roads since we arrived on the mainland but it’s been the best strategy for getting us to a safer region.  Now that we’ve achieved that goal we’re extremely happy to be back on rural pavement again.

We pass through a handful of small towns and villages along the way today.  I don’t see a single speed limit sign all day but speed bumps (topes) never fail to warn us that we are arriving in a town, continue to warn us that we are driving through a town, and offer a few more parting jolts to the truck after exiting a town.  While Mark watches for topes I wave to locals who stare in fascination as though they’ve never seen the likes of us before.  One of our trucks alone would be enough to draw attention in parts like these but the three rigs altogether make for a sight that’s impossible to go unnoticed.  

It’s not uncommon today to see men wearing cowboy hats riding on horseback through the desert and I wonder if that’s their primary source of transportation.  I’m pretty certain they’re not out riding just for the sport of it.  Seeing these men riding in the dry, dusty Mexican desert feels extremely authentic and I love that this little ribbon of pavement is allowing for the experience.  

Our time on highway 57 concludes when we reach a dirt road that will take us to La Gran Reserve.  First we pass through a beautiful little valley speckled with ranches and then through the small village of Cuauhtémoc before proceeding further up the hill and into the forest.  Every local we pass reciprocates our wave with a smile.  This is one of our primary indicators as to whether or not we are welcome in a place.  

We eventually arrive in a forested area with several spots that look suitable for camping.  We circle the trucks and get settled while noticing how easily this spot could be mistaken for somewhere in the mountains of Idaho, Nevada, or Arizona.  I initially thought we would immediately be immersed in the jungle when we arrived on the mainland but here we are at 8,000’ in elevation feeling like we’re back in the States.  No matter what country we’re in, between the chill highway drive and this beautiful dispersed campsite it’s been a good day.  Now if only the weather will cooperate and the bears will stay away so that we can take a few days to relax.

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