Mexico Day 66: Where the desert meets the jungle

La Gloria Tolontongo, Hidalgo //

Waking up in the upper parking lot of La Gloria is an entirely different experience than being parked in the main lot. Many workers and patrons pass by but we remain all to ourselves rather than blockaded by all the traffic. It looks like spending another day here will be much more pleasant.

Mark and I reside inside our camper for the duration of the morning, working, resting, and taking refuge from the heat of the sun. However, once the camper passes ninety degrees inside, we put on our swimsuits and make our way down to the water. It’s remarkable how a hundred yard walk takes us from an arid, brown, cactus-covered desert to a lush, green, jungle. It’s a vivid illustration of the life-giving power of water.

We descend five hundred steps before coming across a stunning pool that we must have passed by without noticing yesterday. With no one else around, we don’t hesitate to select this gem as our destination. A waterfall cascades into one side of this natural pool while the other side cascades over the rock and down to the river below. Shade from the towering trees protects us from the heat of the sun while the water temperature, which matches that of the air, is just right for a nice long soak. It blows us away that $20 a day covers our camping fee AND access to this magical oasis.

Making our way back up the maze of stairs, out of the tunnel of trees, and into the dusty parking lot feels like walking through a portal between ecosystems. It’s still ninety-two degrees in the camper when we return and we’re relieved the sun is only minutes away from dipping behind the mountain for the day. Over dinner the four of us decide on a loose plan for tomorrow. We’ve reached the last of the days we paid for here at La Gloria, something we had to decide at the entrance station which resides miles above us at the top of the canyon, and so tomorrow it’s back to the road. I wonder how long it will be before we lay eyes on another natural wonder as impressive as what we’ve just seen.

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