Uruapan (day 3)

Yesterday morning we walked 4.5 kms to El Centro. Fortunately, the route took us through the National Park that is located right in the city! This park is special because the Cupatitzio River has it's underground source at the beginning of the park. Throughout the park, underground springs continue to add water to the river, and by the time it reaches 10 kms south of the source it becomes the beautiful Tzararacua Waterfalls.

The Paricutin Volcano

In 1943, a farmer was working in a corn field when he saw the ground start to crack and steam, and a fissure broke open. By the next day, lava had been flowing out of the fissure, and  there was now a cone the size of a house. This was the first ever recorded human witness of the birth of a volcano. The Paricutin Volcano continued to erupt for nine years until February of 1952 when it stopped as abruptly as it began.

Uruapan

Yesterday was a driving day, but not a long one. Only 65 kms (40 miles) but of course it took us over two hours. Partly because we stopped for groceries at a Soriana just before we left Patzcuaro, but even on the toll road it was difficult to get over 70 km/h (42 mph).

El Estribo Grande hike

Yesterday morning, we moved from our couchsurfing friend Jorge's place on the far side of the lake to the Villa Patzcuaro RV Park. Only for one night, and this way we can stock up on groceries and dump our tanks.

Villa Patzcuaro Hotel and RV Park

We are at the Villa Patzcuaro Hotel and RV Park. This is a perfect spot to explore the town and surrounding area.

"I'm going to eat some iguana today."

We didn't exactly wake up yesterday morning with that thought in mind, but that's what ended up happening!

Another hike!

This time, we did about 7.5 kms (4.5 miles) but it included going up 580 steps!

Beautiful day for a hike

We took off for a hike yesterday around 10:30am. We had spent much of the morning on the internet, and it had finally started to warm up. It gets chilly overnight, but daytime temperatures are about 22C (72F).

A visit to Patzcuaro

Ever since we became fascinated with Mexico, we've wanted to visit Patzcuaro. Yesterday, we took the collectivo minivan bus from the place where we are staying, all the way around the west shore of the lake and down to the city of Patzcuaro.

The shore of Lake Patzcuaro

Yesterday was a travel day...a long slow travel day! We only had to drive about 200 kms (124 miles) but between the twisty, windy roads and the topes it was pretty slow going. We figure if you drove non-stop it would take about 5 hours to do this 200 km drive! Once again, never expect to get anywhere quickly driving in Mexico.

Mezcal

Yesterday was a great day. Anytime you get see and experience something that not very many foreigners ever get to see, it's a great day.

Birria

We have eaten birria four times in the last week! Yesterday, we were all invited to Sal's aunt's house for a birria family get together. What is birria, you ask...?

2012

Well, here we are in 2012. I wonder what the year will bring. You can make all the plans you want, but sometimes things don't go the way you expect. We are making plans, but there is nothing written in stone...yet.

December expenses

Once again, we are under our $1,000 monthly budget. Not by much though, and we'll have to be really careful in January when our daughter and grandson come to visit, plus we will have higher gasoline expenses because of our upcoming drive south of Acapulco.

Wedding #2

Yesterday started off beautiful, but we actually had some clouds move in later in the morning and even had thunder in the afternoon. Saw one or two rain drops, but certainly not enough to say it actually "rained" so we are maintaining our rainless streak that now stands at 11 weeks.