March 4th - Ciudad Victoria

324 Km.

El Potosino

So last night at San Luis Potosi we stayed at the El Potosino Pemex.  Around 8 p.m., after dark, security knocked on our door and after much back and forth in my slow Spanish and his fast Spanish, it became clear that he wanted us to move to another area.  He and I set off to walk the route and check out the spot.  He wanted us in front of the store over where there was extra car parking.  That is, out of the way of the semi trucks.  His supervisor came out too and we all shook hands and I thanked them very much for taking care of us.   I have noticed that trucks can ballet around each other in a parking lot.  It is like watching a dance they are so precise and fluid in their driving.  But throw a gringo RV with a tow car into the mix and it seems to put them off balance.  Not sure why, because we were perfectly parked on the edge with the trucks.  Perhaps they aren't sure how close to park to us, etc.

We were put under the big sign. 

The morning view with Kirk snagging the Admiral seat.

We set off for Ciudad Victoria through the Sierra Madres.

Windshield dried with dust during cleaning.

Highways were great.

Joshua trees, Cacti and Beargrass

Beautiful but hard to eke out a living here.

Onwards to Tula and Ciudad Victoria

Beargrass blooming

What a fence!

Tula

Tula is a hot and dusty spot and I believe it is a tough place to make a living.  Although this is from my perspective and not from those who were born here.  You see people gathering cut grass from scrubby spots along the highway to feed a few goats or a burro.  Animals are thin from the heat and poor nutrition.  It is the kind of place where tortillas, cactus and beans are a mainstay.  Lots of houses have a cactus garden as a food source.

Tropic of Cancer

We arrived in Ciudad Victoria in mid afternoon.  We had a short tour of downtown when the Garmin decided to take us slightly over from our route.  Luckily this was uneventful although it had its moments.  We quickly rerouted over to the Pemex.  

Menu at Ciudad Victoria Pemex