The thousand mile Mexican commute.

[efuentes]

I think that work wise i have it very nice, I can practically walk to my office and have lunch with my wife and kids everyday. . However, every once in a while, there is a project far, far away from home.

We just landed one of those, and now the problem is that I have to drive a thousand miles to work . Seems to me, that the only sensible thing to do is make a road trip out of it.

So off I go, driving from Los Mochis to my first detour, San Blas, Nayarit. A sleepy port close to Puerto Vallarta.

My trusty GPS tell me that I am getting closer to the beach.

The official "I was there" photo.

At the beach i just asked a local restaurant owner if i could crash for the night, nothing like sleeping with the waves crashing 30 feet from you, I like Mexico .

I even got my own personal cantina for the night, it was hard to get the Hielera and the Music up there, and fun getting down at 1 AM, after way too many beers.

 

[efuentes]

After doing the beach thing, I woke up with a solid hangover to help remind me of all the fun of the night before

The plan was a straight shot to Jaral del Progreso, Guanajuato, but after driving along the wonderful San Blas to Puerto Vallarta Road, it was decided that a drive up the mountains was in order, whats an extra 400 miles with a bad hangover. :sombrero:

Tapalpa, Jalisco is one of Mexico`s Magic Towns, meaning that they have made a compromise with the government to maintain its original 1,800s looks.

The town lies south of Guadalajara in the high lands of Jalisco.

A very nice Iglesia and main plaza.

The Artsy photo.

Mmmm, Fresh bread at the end of the little plaza, i have never tried so many still warm empanadas.

The endless mercado.

We were looking for a few brave man ....

But looks like you were looking for a few of our finest also ...

To be continued ...

 

[Tanto]

Cool pics, I like your choice of camp ground. Guess I should have been an IT tech guy.

 

[Desertdude]

That is as they say a "High Class Problem" :victory:

Keep those photos coming :beer:

 

[Ursidae69]

Sweet. :sombrero:

 

[Hltoppr]

Guanajuato is one of my future must do destinations!

-H-

 

[efuentes]

A couple more shots of Tapalpa, Jalisco.

The renovated inside of the main Church

The main Corredor

 

[efuentes]

Upon arrival to Jaral, I had already contacted the local Jeep Club, and had planned a weekend trip with them. So after a quick meeting at work Saturday morning, off we go to La Ruta de las Capillas.

The Guanajuato Jeeperos.com bunch its a nice group of fellows, they planned a route to some of the high desert plains in the state, the trip started climbing the sierra de Guanajuato with some very nice 404 Mogs fresh from a rare government auction, to later reach some really rough river beds where we spend the night.

The high sierra desert of Guanajuato.

The rough river beds, excellent 4x4 driving, lots of fun without lockers and with only 32s

In the front row, my current piece of junk. In the back what I think I really deserve

 

[efuentes]

For Sunday, a very special part of the trip had been planned, The leaders had contacted a couple of Archaeologist from the Universidad Nacional to guide us to some of the Religious Architectural landmarks of the area, where they explain to us the different forms that the Catholic church used to build the vast number of temples in the region during the conquista.

Our Guides, they know their stuff, its amazing .. :bowdown:

Whats even more amazing its my belly, Note to myself, I have take it easy on the beer and tacos

A very early Capilla, those small building represent a more intimate praying place and usually service is offered once a month, this particular one dates from the early 1,700s

They are also characterized by the lack of windows due to they more private nature.

The altar ...

The latest renovation date, nice ...

 

[efuentes]

From there we moved to a creepy place, a local cemetery, the bodies are placed to rest without coffin and at 1 feet depth at most. Whats more, due to the rapid decomposition of the bodies, the place its usually re utilized after 10-20 years.

People in the communities don't mind because everybody is considered relatives to one another.

The Local Cemetery.

A lonely Capilla at the top of the hill ...

 

[efuentes]

After a couple or churches we moved to the big price, the church at Atotonilco, Guanajuato, considered by some the finest example of early catholic architecture.

Amazing frescos ...

One of the few buildings with real gold plating, outside of the Vatican.

Plus the revolutionaries stole the Estandarte de Guadalupe, used during the fighting, from this place.

Mmmm, Blue Corn Gorditas, Guess I'll stay chubby for a while longer ...

 

[adventureduo]

Simple amazing! Keep the photos and writeup coming! Thank you for sharing!

 

[ujoint]

great pics! Glad you're enjoying the trip!

 

[efuentes]

Atotonilco, Guanajuato ...

On the way back crossing the river ...

Finally the Sad Official photo, I really didn't want it to end.

 

[RockyMtnFamily]

Las momias

Great pictures, keep them coming!!!

I thought the soil of Guanajuato pretty well preserves the bodies, or was that the way the preserved them 100's of years ago that does that? A close friend, whom I refer to as my Suegra, is from that area and she can cook:chowtime:! I hope you are enjoying the good typical food of that area. I hope to go with my children some day.

Kevin