Which means we've already bitten a big chunk out of our total 4,500 km drive. Only 3,237 kms to go!
But yesterday's drive had miles and miles of boring scenery. Now we know why this is not a popular route south!
It started off not bad...
Getting on the toll road near Cuencame, heading for Chihuahua.
The road pretty much to ourselves.
Looks like it's going to be a nice drive!
But after that range of hills, we approach the outskirts of Gomez Palacio and Torreon. We don't actually have to go through those cities, but it's a dusty windy road that bypasses them, and not much to see. After that, the road is straight and flat and boring! For miles and miles!
Nothing to see for miles.
There is the odd little village. Can't for the life of me figure why anybody would live here!
Another Mexican state we've never been to before!
As we got closer to the city of Chihuahua, the landscape started to change. Much more agriculture, with huge nut farms growing walnuts, pecans, and pistachios. Oh, and peanuts.
Some kind of nut tree. Thousands of them!
We pulled in to the city of Chihuahua (pop 825,000) around 3:00pm. There had been an hour time change at the state border so we're now 3 hours behind eastern time. We had made arrangements with our couchsurfing host Urbano to meet him downtown in front of the University where he teaches.
Interesting thing about couchsurfing, you never quite know what you're going to end up with. This time, Urbano has a small apartment near the central area, but he also very often stays with his grandfather or his parents who both live in the city. So this time, he has simply given us his apartment and he has gone to his parents. Oddly enough, the apartment has no kitchen! I guess when you're a young single guy, you don't need a kitchen!
Ruth, doing some computer work in Urbano's apartment.
Today is a day off driving for us, so we're going to explore the city of Chihuahua. So far, we're impressed with what a modern city it is. Stay tuned for pictures tomorrow morning!
Yesterday's drive, 550 kms (341 miles).
Already completed 1,263 kms (783 miles) in three days!
You've made great progress! Thanks for returning your old map style, the direct links to Google Maps don't work on my tablet.
ReplyDeleteThe only reason that Kevin included the direct link to Google Map the other day was that the distance he was showing was such a large distance you were unable to see the map in more detail but by including the link people could see it better.
DeleteAwesome, soon home! Be careful in Chihuahua, don't stay out after dark. I saw a documentary about the area and they said it's pretty dangerous....
ReplyDeleteSo far we just see a normal city going about it's business. We are surprised at how modern and clean it is here. I think the going out at night part is more if you are in the drug business and maybe hang out in the bars which we don't do.
DeleteWow 260 mile a day for 3 days in a row. You've got more stamina than I do that's for sure. Love it that Urbano will give up his apartment to total strangers and go somewhere else to stay in order for you to have a place. I need some trusting lessons. I don't think I could ever do that knowing all the scammers in the world. Safe travels!
ReplyDeleteWe don't normally like to travel those distances in one day either but there really wasn't much to see along our route anyhow and we were driving the car not the motorhome which also makes a difference. I don't think Urbano uses the apartment much, we think he spends lots of time at his father's or grandfather's place. This apartment really isn't set up as a long term residence yet. We think that people that sign up for couchsurfing are like minded people and the host can also check your references which makes a big difference as well.
DeleteI love Chihuahua, great highways and scenery. Be careful in the U.S., lots of guns and crazy people.
ReplyDeleteToo funny!!!!!! Good one Chris!
DeleteChris if there was a "like" button on our comments, I would press it now. :)
DeleteNever heard of an apartment without a kitchen. I guess there is always "mom's."
ReplyDeleteI think Urbano uses this apartment as a little getaway. He visits with his father and grandfather at their places as well as his apartment during the week. I think he still has some work to do here to make it a long term residence.
DeleteYou passed by the Zona del Silencio! Any sightings?
ReplyDeletehttp://croftsmexico.blogspot.com/2008/03/zona-del-silencio.html
Technically it was a little to the east of us but no sightings and we didn't hear a thing!!!! :)
DeleteAgree it is good to see the maps and follow your progress. What a trip you have ahead of you. Guessing you are going to be making it pretty fast being without Sherman. Take care.
ReplyDeleteWe have about 19 days from today to be at our new job so we will be moving along but also taking time so see some of the sights along the way. We don't want to be up north to quick as it is still pretty cold up there with lots of snow and ice.
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