2.) The Original Trip Concept and How It Changed

Thinking about this trip began about a year ago, in late 2005. I have traveled extensively in Mexico, and speak the language with fair fluency. In the past, I was always at the Intercontinental Hotel or something. Not this time. This time, the goal was to stay completely out of cities to the extent possible.

The original plan was to ride:

1.) Houston, TX to Presidio, TX - While experiencing Big Bend National Park
2.) Presidio, TX to Copper Canyon, MX
3.) Copper Canyon, MX to Topolobampo, MX - where we would catch a ferry to La Paz, Baja California
4.) Ride the length of Baja, south to north
5.) Return to Big Bend via the northern Sonoran Desert
6.) Return to Houston

Our plan was to carry camping gear, camp every night, and eat the indigenous food.

The only reason I go into detail of what the original plan was is to demonstrate just how insanely out of touch with reality our original plan was. All of our ideas were off base. First, camping in Mexico in the Chihuahuan area is dangerous, second, one does not just ride 400 miles a day in Mexico, like in the US, third, we had no concept how much work it is to pitch camp and break camp every day. The list of messed up assumptions goes on and on.

But we adapted.

In the end, this trip morphed from one of quite a bit of structure and planning into one that was almost completely unstructured and off-the-cuff. This change was precipitated out of necessity, as you will see when you read of my experience on the Old Ore Trail in Big Bend.

To tell the truth, I liked the play it by ear approach much better anyhow. It definitely resonates better with the culture of Mexico. Nothing gets done quickly in Mexico. Plus, the new, more flexible plan allowed me to escape the certain damnation of Baja, with its dearth of water.

In the end, here is a close approximation of the trip we did. It began April 21, 2007 and ended 3981 miles later on May 17, 2007.



We found the weather uncharacteristically hot. This, along with the exhaustion we had from setting and breaking camp all day, plus the lack of organized camping facilities in Mexico lead us to change our itinerary from a camping based one to a motel based one.

This was not a financial disaster though. I personally spent less than $750 on food, motels, and gas during the trip. Believe it or not, gas is cheaper in Mexico than in the US. We were in Mexico about 3 weeks in all. Though the country is changing and is becoming more expensive, it is entirely possible to travel on a very small budget if you are willing to "experience" Mexico. You cannot go down there expecting US style accommodations. But there is ample opportunity to marvel in the beauty of a different perspective of culture and values, if you are open minded.

This different perspective pokes you in the senses constantly in Mexico. Mexico constantly stimulates everything. Visually, aurally, olfactorily, everything... That is why I love the country so. It is like cultural LSD.