2006 East Coast of Mexico

We entered Mexico later than usual this year through Progresso Nuevo near McAllen, Texas – our 15th visit to Mexico, a wonderful country, friendly and helpful people. You got to love it!

The campgrounds are a different story. They could be called an enigma. Our first stop was Ciudad Victoria. The Victoria Trailer Park has been here for decades, owned and run by Russ and Rosie. Russ is from Wisconsin. They call it the friendliest campground in Mexico. Friendly, yes, but not the cleanest bathrooms. Rosie also turns the hot water off to save money. We make sure we check the water temperature before taking off our clothes. We booked for one month which costs as much as the daily rate times 11. We split our visit with 2 weeks at a time.

Our next stop was to be Gomez Farias in the El Cielo Biosphere Cloud Forest, just 100 km south. The new Lonely Planet Guide Book shows the Hacienda Huasteca Ranch just outside the pretty mountain town. On our way up the mountain we looked for the Rancho and could not find it, continued into town and found a parking spot on the tiny tree covered plaza. Asked the police who took us to the Mayor's office, several locals one of whom could speak some English. No one ever heard of Rancho Huasteca. We decided to carry on another 100 km to Ciudad Mante. We made one stop at Bocatoma Balneario (springs) at the foot of the mountain. A delightful place with lots of birds, not a soul around (one goat shepherd came by with his herd). It would have been a lovely place to spend the night but we did not like the idea of being all by ourselves.

While in Texas we were given a brochure and information on a new campground on the outskirts of the town of Ciudad Mante by a Mexican Tourist Promotion Rep at a Travel Show. Upon arrival in Mante we asked several people about the Campground. Some even made telephone calls for us. Nobody had any idea or ever heard of this resort. We had to stay at the Hotel Mante downtown – they have a few Trailer spots. We then walked to the City Hall and inquired at their Tourist Office. The man obviously did not know, but with the help of our brochure (which he had never seen) he was able to get an answer on the telephone. Fifteen minutes later the owner arrived and drove us to his campground - Swimming pools, shuffleboards, tennis courts, restaurant. An old established social club he had just converted and changed the name. There were no signs, no directions. We were the first Trailer guests. We became friends and we are invited back in the future. “ His casa is our casa”.

On to the town of Ciudad Valles with its nicely shaded Trailer Park right at the Hotel Valles. The nicest hotel in town. A large 3 meter x 1 meter sign “Trailer Park” right at the huge and impressive entrance gate, we drove in and asked at the reception and we were told that the Park had been closed for almost one year. (We had stayed there other years). Nobody bothered to remove the Trailer Park sign. We stayed in the parking lot long enough to do our internet on their wireless service and went on to El Banito. The nice warm water balneario (pools) 11 km south. Great place to stay and our 4th visit.
Across the street is a Golf Course along the river with great selection of birds including parrots, trogons and motmots.

Tamasopo waterfalls, some of the most beautiful ones we have seen was our next stop. We spent a few days birding and hiking to Puente de Dios (Bridge of the Gods) Waterfalls. Our second visit.

After one week on the beach at Barra del Tordo ($3/per day including electric) We are now back in Ciudad Victoria for 2 more weeks and will then return to McAllen, Texas.
For all of you that we have not heard from - How did you spend your winter months? We are interested to know.

For more information on this area and including Ciudad Victoria go to the website www.mexico-with-heart.com It is an interesting blog site.