As the stock market goes south so do we. We had our oil changed at Mobile One Express Lube in Laredo before we crossed the border. This process tested our patience which we sadly failed. “Express”, they were not nor were we patient…..it took an hour! As we waited we watched the business news and Bruce worried about the competence of the mechanic and the plunging of the DJIA…this did nothing to lessen his angst. I, as usual, blithely go through life leaving the worrying to him. I'm glad we bypassed the Texas Liquor and Gun store.
We drove over International Bridge #1 with only having to play a $1.5 USD toll fee on the US side. On Mexico side stood a young soldier, rifle draped on shoulder, dressed in green army camouflage…..this had the opposite affect of what it’s intention was, he did not blend in with the surrounding grey concrete. Getting our tourist cards and vehicle permit took about an hour. This time we did pass the patience test.
Once through Nuevo Laredo we easily got to Mex HWY 85 that eventually split into a “libre” (free) road or a “cuota” (toll) road. The toll roads have light traffic but many fast moving semi’s. In total we paid 290 pesos ($26 USD) today, thus no jalopy vehicles on the road………we read only tourist, trucks and rich Mexicans take the toll roads. So far, so true.
We drove through dry brushy desert then a Joshua Forest which was a pleasant surprise. These are cactus-like trees densely growing in a large span of land as we ascended into the mountains near Monterrey. Also here were thousands of yellow butterflies…..a few hundred met their end our windshield.
The name Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia) was given by a group of Mormon settlers who crossed the Mojave Desert in the mid-19th century. The tree's unique shape reminded them of a Biblical story in which Joshua reaches his hands up to the sky in prayer. Ref: wiki.
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