Mexico called and said it missed me.
My friend MotoHank asked me come along with him on a short trip to Real de Catorce with two other riders. They had to get back quickly but I decided I'd stay a bit longer. I left DFW and headed south to Austin for lunch with a MotoBro, then on to San Antonio to meet a few of Hank’s riding buddies at La Tuna before ending up in Dilley for some shuteye. The next day at Hank's shop I had the bittersweet surprise of seeing my old 1998 R1100GS Anniversary and meeting it’s new owner from San Antonio. It felt a bit strange to see my bike rolling in with a different rider after all the years of adventures, but he turned out the be the perfect new owner.
I'd sold my home in the Hill Country and most of my stuff to fund an open-ended road trip. To celebrate I decided to pick up a newer R1200GSA for the next leg of life's adventures. The 98 Annie was and still is a superb bike and it was hard to let it go, but it's new owner sold his Super Teneré for it and couldn't be happier.
This being the first trip of any substance on the new-to-me R1200GSA, I was looking forward to getting some real road and terrain time on it, having spent time on it only in the DFW area where I'm camped temporarily. Sunday morning we four met at Hank’s shop, blew down I-35 and hit Nuevo Laredo for Immigration and Vehicle Importation paperwork. Sunday is a good day to travel as the immigration lines are minimal at the border and traffic is a little less in Monterrey.
We throttled out of the border town by 10-ish for our destination, Santiago, a beautiful and peaceful town a little south of Monterrey. Dodging and lane splitting in Monterrey is always fun, but there was no traffic and we moved through easily.
https://youtu.be/0XGawK8otEM
The square in Santiago was in full swing when we arrived late in the afternoon, live music playing, families and children filling the park. The church overlooking the center had services going with a street festival on the flagstone road adjacent. Sitting in the plaza, I was struck by the wholesomeness of the scene - families laughing and playing, lovers holding hands on park benches, elderly couples dressed up and strolling slowly. It is a rich experience and one I wish I could see in the United States.
(Little Juanita runs in terror from the sudden appearance of Manuel the Archangel)
The fresh mountain air and a gentle midnight rain sang a lullaby through the open windows of the hotel that evening.
Mañana...
My friend MotoHank asked me come along with him on a short trip to Real de Catorce with two other riders. They had to get back quickly but I decided I'd stay a bit longer. I left DFW and headed south to Austin for lunch with a MotoBro, then on to San Antonio to meet a few of Hank’s riding buddies at La Tuna before ending up in Dilley for some shuteye. The next day at Hank's shop I had the bittersweet surprise of seeing my old 1998 R1100GS Anniversary and meeting it’s new owner from San Antonio. It felt a bit strange to see my bike rolling in with a different rider after all the years of adventures, but he turned out the be the perfect new owner.
I'd sold my home in the Hill Country and most of my stuff to fund an open-ended road trip. To celebrate I decided to pick up a newer R1200GSA for the next leg of life's adventures. The 98 Annie was and still is a superb bike and it was hard to let it go, but it's new owner sold his Super Teneré for it and couldn't be happier.
This being the first trip of any substance on the new-to-me R1200GSA, I was looking forward to getting some real road and terrain time on it, having spent time on it only in the DFW area where I'm camped temporarily. Sunday morning we four met at Hank’s shop, blew down I-35 and hit Nuevo Laredo for Immigration and Vehicle Importation paperwork. Sunday is a good day to travel as the immigration lines are minimal at the border and traffic is a little less in Monterrey.
We throttled out of the border town by 10-ish for our destination, Santiago, a beautiful and peaceful town a little south of Monterrey. Dodging and lane splitting in Monterrey is always fun, but there was no traffic and we moved through easily.
https://youtu.be/0XGawK8otEM
The square in Santiago was in full swing when we arrived late in the afternoon, live music playing, families and children filling the park. The church overlooking the center had services going with a street festival on the flagstone road adjacent. Sitting in the plaza, I was struck by the wholesomeness of the scene - families laughing and playing, lovers holding hands on park benches, elderly couples dressed up and strolling slowly. It is a rich experience and one I wish I could see in the United States.
(Little Juanita runs in terror from the sudden appearance of Manuel the Archangel)
The fresh mountain air and a gentle midnight rain sang a lullaby through the open windows of the hotel that evening.
Mañana...
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