Lots of new pictures on the photos page
We are in Valle de Bravo, a beautiful lake in the mountains. To get here we rode
52 miles, up a mountain pass for 15 miles, which took about 4 hours, and then down for 25 miles, which took just a few hours more. This was the longest
descent I have ever done. I felt like I was in the Tour de Mexico, speeding
down the pass at 40 miles an hour with a fully loaded bike. I was motivated to
not let the tour buses catch up with me. They pass way too close. It is so strange that in the mountains you can hear what kind of vehicle is struggling up the mountain and how many vehicle are behind it. If there are more than two large vehicles like dump trucks, or full size buses and an assortment of cars behind that coming up behind me as I climb, I have plenty of notice from the sound echoing up the mountain pass to know when to get off the road and wait until the horde of metal monsters pass. Going down a mountain pass is not as hairy because we go at the same speed as everyone else or close to it. The similar speed makes working with the traffic a lot easier and more harmonious, the larger the difference in speed makes for more contrast and chaos. I can see a lot in my helmet mirror. Sometime I see multiple cars passing each other in the far distance but as they get closer to us the chaos melds into a manageable line of cars and trucks We all work together.

When we arrived in Vale de Bravo we wode around the lake The afternoon sun light shimmered on the huge mountain lake and all the forest trees were very distinct as they were dark in the afternoon light. The whole lake was surrounded by volcanic peaks as far as the eye could see. We stopped at a yacht club and had a refresco (a soda) on the grass, in the beautiful sun. We played catch with 4 dogs. It was wonderful to relax in such an awesome place. I reflected on how that moment is a once in a lifetime moment which will be etched in mind forever.

We stayed in a 16th century mexican posada (hotel) with a two story open
courtyard and flowering trees, old wooded railings and ceramic tiling
everywhere. The walls are white washed stucco. In the background was the two
spires of the main church. In New Mexico this would cost $150 to $200 an
night. It did cost $200 a night here but that is 200 pesos which is 20 dollars
American.

Last night there was a hugh political rally. Huge! There was actually duelling
bands blasting out their music from alternate corners of the plaza. The election is next sunday. The PAN party, a coalition of the PRI and the Green party, the PDR, and the Partido de Trabajo (worker's party) seem to be battling it out.
Elections are a very important here. I think everyone in the region was
bused here. There was a parades. and truckloads of flag waving supporters.

The state police and regional traffic cops were found in abundance. As we ate
pizza, 5 policemen with their submachine guns came in to eat. Now where do five cops put their submachine guns sitting at a small table in a crowded little hole-in-the-wall pizzeria?
On their laps, pointing at us, and not two feet
away. They also had had pistols, if automatic rifles were not enough. Each police
officer seemed to be in his mid 20's.