Moving through Michuacan

It it day four on our little road trip and we have made it to the land of artisian's, Patzcuaro. Patzcuaro is located somewhat in the middle of the state of Michuacan, thousands of feet above sea level. Us from the land of beach and sun find it difficult at times to stay warm, and have a slight yearning at times for the 80 degree weather that is a constant in La Manzanilla. But, as mi amigo Joe points out, the tequila helps with that...only kidding mama, only kidding.

Our road trip began heading south out of La Manzanilla, and then heading inland to an active volcano outside of the city of Colima. After navigating our way through Colima, and lets be honest, we were with no directions, no map and no idea of where we were going so "navigating" might be a little misused, but, at last we stumbled our way up to Laguna Carrizalillo. There we found...a pond...not a lake. But, the scenery was beautiful, the campsites empty and the volcano del Fuego right before our eyes. So up went the tent, out came the campstove and we began our two days of camping. The dogs loving the fact that they could roam freely and chase the rocks into the water when thrown. The frisbee being a different story as neither dog seemed to retrieve that so well out of the "lake". Our second day into the trip, as we started tossing the frisbee with beer in other hand, my friend Joe yells out..."stop, I need to get the camera, the volcano is about to blow". I thinking that maybe evacuating may be a better idea than a kodak moment, but I stuck around and let the photographer do his work. Not without thinking, "Sweet Lord, that better be something it does often, I am not ready to relive Mt. St Helens all over again". Thankfully the volcano was just letting off some steam and we were able to drive down at normal speeds when leaving.

After our couple of days there, we left and again headed south east, ending up in Paracho, home of all the guitars in the world, or at least Mexico. The monument at the base of town was a guitar about 40 feet tall, so all can know they are in the right place if they desire a guitar. Which, Joe, the guitarless traveler was eager to purchase. It took the first store, and about 5 minutes for him to emerge with guitar in hand. And the strumming began, and really hasn't stopped much since then.

Now, we are in Patzcuaro starting a week of cabin life while the festivities around us take place for Semana Santa, which besides being Easter, is the BIGGEST MEXICAN HOLIDAY OF THE YEAR. Mucha gente. (Many peòple). And many things to buy, see and do. Mamma...put some more money in my bank account...

As I sit here in yet another internet cafe, my friend Joe passed on to me a website where some of his pictures are displayed, check it out if you so desire, it is fun to see: http://www.banderasnews.com/profiles/joe-lusk.htm


so while he is on vacation, and I, well, I guess I am always on vacation down here, his painting will have to wait.

Again I wish salud, will write again soon. And I promise, I promise, I promise...always carry the mace...as many of you have requested.

xoxo-Heidi, Maddie Moo - Joe and Lulu too.