Where the Eyes Go: And That's Mexico (at 60-120 kmph)

We had internet last night but we were too dang tired to update, sorry!

When we left our first campsite in Tampico, Google Maps told us we had a seven hour drive to reach Lake Catemaco where we planned to crash. Google Maps is full of crap. It turned out to be over 11 hours. I'm assuming Google Maps doesn't factor in my new least favorite thing ever. (Congrats "Call Me Maybe" you're now Number 2.)

Don't get too excited... Tope is Spanish for "3 foot tall speed bump with square edges." These things are gnarly. However, for their intended purpose, they are effective. Nothing slows down traffic like asphalt moguls in the middle of a highway. Most of the time, they are placed before towns but sometimes they are in the middle of nowhere. Usually there are signs, but not always.

So when it became apparent that we weren't going to make it before dark, we had a choice to make. Continue on in the darkness of a Mexican night and risk all sorts of terrible things we had read about in guidebooks and on the internets, or camp somewhere we know nothing about. To be completely honest, I was fine with either. Kaytie felt more comfortable going where we knew we would have a safe place to camp. As the sun went down we were driving on a glorious span of divided highway with no topes. Initially, we wondered what all the worry was about. Then the time came to exit and continue town to town on a two lane road. After slamming into pothole after pothole and launching off of a couple unmarked topes, the reason to avoid driving at night became clear. It was a long two hours but we made it with a few new squeaks in the Montero's suspension to show for it. I can only imagine what kind of condition it would be in if I had left the old, warn out shocks and springs installed. The camp site was tucked up in the trees next to a restaurant on the late. We didn't see much when we pulled in but it turned out to be very beautiful in the morning. We had breakfast in the restaurant, walked around the grounds and then hit the topes again.

This place would be nice if it wasn't so busy...

Once back on the road we were blown away by the incredible mountain and ocean views. We will definitely be coming this way on our return trip. Every town begged to be explored.

We made better time to our last stop in Mexico. We paid for our spot of grass next to a hotel and then set off to explore the surrounding area. We came across a bridge that had been washed away sometime in the past. Rather than rebuild it, they just left it where it ended it up and now you probably should have 4WD to cross. We took the opportunity to put on our suits and take a bath with the Montero.