Saltillo

Today we drove as far as the city of Saltillo. The road from Matamoros to here is shown on the map below with Saltillo at far left. The highways we traveled are all toll roads but absolutely worth it from many standpoints.

As the map shows, once past the beltway around Monterrey, the road enters mountainous country. We left at sea level and are now 5250 feet above it. The population of this city is is 823,100, about a hundred thousand more than Matamoros. Here is a general view of the place ...

Riding by mountains offered photo-ops, a sampling which is shown below. As you probably know, by clicking on a photo you will get a larger view.

Most of the ride is through endless stretches of wilderness. The absence of gas stations and bladder relief centers stirred mild concern but eventually one reaches a toll booth with hospitable plumbing and modest gas provisions which Dan purchased as portrayed in this photo ...

Our hotel here is very agreeable, more like a collection of motels on a gated property.

The hotel restaurant offers a charming ambience where the four of us spent a couple of hours over a supper of enchiladas and wine.

Tomorrow should ultimately deliver us to Dan and Heather's house in San Juan Del Rio. A short stop is planned en route in San Luis Potosi, their former home town, to visit with a young man who is now studying the Bible thanks to an initiative Dan took a while back, approaching him as he sat alone on a park bench. I met him when I last visited Dan and have been exchanging emails with the fellow, so I much look forward to seeing him again too.