spaswinefood: Crossing into Mexico at Agua Prieta, Sonora

We have done the border crossing into Mexico many times. This time we will cross at Douglas, Arizona and Agua Prieta, Sonora and head south towards our final destination Guatemala. We have driven the west coast and central highlands routes of Mexico to Guatemala previously so this time we will drive down the east coast. Our plans for this trip are to head east across Mexico to Saltillo, south to Tampico then onto Yucatan where we will enter Belize and then onto Guatemala.

Now a few photos from our drive from California.

Crossing the Mohave Desert © Spaswinefood

Crossing the Mohave Desert © Spaswinefood

On this trip we took three days to drive from the Bay Area to Douglas, Arizona (stopping in Los Angeles, Luaghlin and Tuscon). We once did this drive in one day but this time we are taking it at a slower pace. We did encounter some unusual weather along the route. During the drive from California to Arizona we experienced rain in the Mohave Desert. The Mohave Desert occupies parts of California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona. It is bordered on by Great Basin Desert in the north and the Sonoran Desert to the south.

Raining in the Mohave Desert © Spaswinefood

Later when we entered Arizona the next morning there was evidence of a snowfall overnight. It was a record snowfall for this time of the year.

Snow along I40, 10 miles east of Kingman, Arizona © Spaswinefood

Further along the route on US93 we saw Saguaro Cati. The Saguaro Cactus is the symbol of the southwest desert. I love seeing this cactus when we drive US93.

Saguaro Cacti along Highway US93 © Spaswinefood

Saguaro Cacti along Highway US93 © Spaswinefood

After an overnight in Tuscon we picked up the last few supplies for the road and drove onto Douglas. Here are a few photos from the last part of the drive to the border.

Route 80, South of Tombstone, Arizona © Spaswinefood

Route 80 Bisbee, Arizona © Spaswinefood

Route 80 approaching Douglas, Arizona © Spaswinefood

Now arriving at the border reminds me of an art installation I visited. We recently returned from the European Wine Bloggers Conference in Italy. While in Italy we visited Castillo di Ama, a winery that features art. One of the art installations was by a Cuban artist on walls. Needless to say the wall between the United States and Mexico was part of the installation.

Wall Installation at Castillo di Ama © Spaswinefood

Here are more photos of walls.

On the drive south to Guatemala I hope to capture for Spaswinefood images of culinary delights and hot springs along the route. While we will not be driving through Mexico's wine region (Baja California) I will report on wine happenings along the route.

More later, because we are at the border crossing. November's Spaswinefood posts will be along the route, as we drive through Mexico. I invite you to join me in my travels through Mexico in search of the best in Spaswinefood.

Sharon

November 2011