Mexico has three main routes that run in a north to south direction (west coast, central highlands and east coast). Given that we entered Northern Mexico near the beginning of the central highlands route we continued down the central route to Torreón where we headed to the east coast. After entering Mexico at Agua Prieta, Sonora it took us two days to get to Torreón,
Coahuila. On day three we left Torreón, the largest city in Coahuila on Ruta 40 east towards Saltillo, the capital of Coahuila. As we left Torreón I captured these photos on my iphone.
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| Exiting Torreón on Ruta 40 © Spaswinefood |
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| As we exited Torreón on Ruta 40 the moon was quite visible in the day sky © Spaswinefood |
Shortly after leaving Torreón the elevation stated to increase. As we continued along Ruta 40 to Saltillo we experienced spectacular scenery.
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| Climbing into the mountains on Ruta 40 © Spaswinefood |
It was smooth travelling along Ruta 40 to Saltillo. From Saltillo we took Ruta 57 south to Matehuala, San Luis Potosí. Here are a few photos along Ruta 57 from Saltillo to Matehuala.
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| Joshua tree forest along Ruta 57 © Spaswinefood |
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| Joshua tree forest along Ruta 57 south of Saltillo © Spaswinefood |
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| Margarita time © Spaswinefood |
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| Tortilla chips and salsa © Spaswinefood |
We ordered the following for dinner:
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| Guacamole © Spaswinefood |
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| Sopa de Tres Chiles © Spaswinefood |
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| Sopa de pollo © Spaswinefood |
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| Spaghetti Primavera © Spaswinefood |
We shared a flan for desert.
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| Flan © Spaswinefood |
From Matehuala, the fourth largest city in San Luis Potosí we headed east again to
Tampico, Tamaulipas. Here are a few photos along the route from Matehuala to Tampico, a full day of driving (Ruta 57S to Ruta 80 E to where we took 85S to Cuidad Valles then 70E to Tampico).
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| It was raining as we left Metahuala on Ruta 57 south © Spaswinefood |
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| Driving through the Altiplano Portosino on Ruta 57 south of Matehuala © Spaswinefood |
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| Vegetation starts to change as we head east on Ruta 80 © Spaswinefood |
Starting at the junction of Ruta 57 and Ruta 80 we start to experience marked climatic changes from the landscape of Altiplano Potosino to tropical lowlands by the time we arrived at the east coast. On Ruta 80 we pass through corn fields enroute to Cuidad de Maiz.
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| Corn fields along Ruta 80 © Spaswinefood |
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| Ruta 80 going east towards Cd Maiz © Spaswinefood |
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| Ruta 80 going east towards Cd Maiz © Spaswinefood |
After Cuidad de Maiz we climbed through a mountains where we saw lush vegetation and oak trees.
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| Climbing into forest after Cd Maiz © Spaswinefood |
Shortly afterwards we descend into the tropical lowlands. We took Ruta 85 at Antiguo Moreles to Cuidad Valles.
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| Descending into tropical lowlands on Ruta 80 © Spaswinefood |
In the lowlands we encounter fields of sugar cane.
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| Sugar cane fields along the route © Spaswinefood |
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| Enroute to Cuidad Valles, Ruta 85 © Spaswinefood |
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| El Callejón de los Milagros, Tampico © Spaswinefood |
After we were seated the waiter brought us a platter of tortilla chips and salsas go with the margaritas we ordered.
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An inviting platter of tortilla chips with a variety of salsas © Spaswinefood
Margarita at the end of the day © Spaswinefood |
We ordered salad and soup.
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| Ensalade Mediterranea © Spaswinefood |
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Sopa de Mariscos © Spaswinefood
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| Camarones al Ajillo © Spaswinefood |
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Quesadilla flor de calabaza © Spaswinefood
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Next morning we were on our way down Ruta 180 to Veracruz. I am sure there is another margarita or a bottle of wine waiting.
I invite you to join me in my travels through Mexico in search of the best in Spaswinefood.
Sharon
November 2011
Merida, Yucatan
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