We left Monterrey on Sunday morning after few days of rest. The cold Nadia and I had stay behind us as well. We had decided to go southeast in direction of Veracruz, going through Tampico and Tuxpan.
Monterrey is great, and for many reasons I love the city and it’s population, but here, it is as expensive than the U.S., and I can’t really afford it. Anyhow, I will be back in the future and now is time to go.
In the absolute, I would like to not spend more than US$ 5 to get a space to open the tent every night. As we passed Ciudad Victoria, after roadside grilled corn with spice, and as the night was falling, we began to look for a place we could ask for hospitality. The Tamaulipas region seems to subsist on animal farming, and we saw numerous roads leading to ranches on the roadside. At 6:30, as darkness was already here, we settled for one of these roads, labeled “Chocoy”.
The large ranch had many buildings, but the first one looked more modern, and we started large maneuvers to attract attention of the habitant.
It is a delicate affair, since houses have no bells, and anyway, you can’t really go outside of the truck because of the many dogs jumping around. Your best bet is to honk until someone shows up. And as they will probably try to scrutinize you through the windows, turn on the dome light inside the car, and smile already.
After 10 minutes of effort, thanks to a screaming TV inside of the house, we succeeded in getting an old man out, who told us he really didn’t see a problem in having us camping in the driveway. He then disappeared without a good-bye.
After a diner with the friendly dogs, we went to bed.
We woke up late, at 7:30, which is a lot of time in bed, if you consider we were sleeping by 10 p.m.
This is also a sign that the roof-tent setup is really comfortable. Need to get an alarm clock, I guess.
An hour later, I was driving in direction of Tuxpan. As we were driving, it got increasingly hot in the car. At first, I didn’t get too alarmed, as these cars are famous for getting really warm, but as we arrived in the city, it became clear that something weird was happening. Soon, in the city center, the car also began to do A LOT of noise. To be more precise, the same noisy you would get if you had no exhaust pipe. I stopped on the side, and noticed than an oxygen sensor popped out of the exhaust pipe, letting the gases escape.
We found a quiet place, and with the help of young guys we met, bolted back the sensor on the pipe. But of course, the world being a not-so-perfect place, and thanks to the New York rust, we will now travel in a more noisy fashion. Also, soon enough, the car was getting warm again, so I will have to look again for the source of the problem. We went with our new friends to get shrimps, and after good-bye, we drove few more hours in direction of Veracruz.
In Poza Rica de Hidalgo, we made a quick stop in the Toyota dealership, but they could not see what could possibly be wrong. Regardless, those toilets were the best one I saw in a while.
On the Gulf of Mexico coast, we were able to negotiate a US$5 camping space, and went to sleep at 10 p.m. after fixing diner.
I’m just curious about something that i just discovered and it doesn’t make sense to me. Why is Nick at Poza Rica de Hidalgo when the red route line
on his website map shows that he isn’t supposed to be driving thru there?
Have you checked the seals around the exhaust manifold from where it connects to the engine or the exhaust pipe?
Hope you figure out the sensor on the exhaust pipe. Mexico sounds great so far; look forward to the next vists on your blogs
I hope the noise isn’t a sign of something more major.
You mentioned rust, it could be a hole in your exhaust line or maybe your muffler. Does it happen when idling or only when moving?
I took my truck out in the mud for the first real time yesterday and wound up getting it stuck there overnight, my new primary goal is bigger tires.
Hola Nicolas,
I see that you are enjoying your trip very much. I also enjoy reading your journal and watching the pictures. I hope that your trip goes with out major incidents. Be carefully at the border with Mexico and Guatemala, don’t leave your car alone, and be discreet with money.
talk to you later.
From LA, California. Armando D.
Nic, don’t forget to get massages, since you’ll be sitting in the same position behind the wheel for another 11 1/2 months!
Hey Nick!
what’s your email??? I have a few suggestions. I went on a roadtrip a few years back with a guide and visited some of the nicest places in MEX. Just shoot me an email if you are interested.
Hey world boy , what the hell is up with the dogs? If your are scare of dogs what are you going to do when get to South America and a leopard gets after you ass. Also why is the mechanic got his arm a round you, you better watch them southern boys they may be a little queer.BE CAREFUL Joe from bama
Glad to hear that you and Nadia have managed your colds. Take care, and keep well.
hey uncle nick see if it can be welded or what condition it is in to see if it repairable in any way
Nick,
I noticed a blue rolled tarp on the front of your vehicle (high and low) and that may be restricting air flow to your radiator. I once had the problem from carrying bikes on the front. You don’t think that bikes would be capable of restricting that amount of air, but the overheating stopped when I changed them to the rear. Best of luck on your adventure.
It looks like you’ve seen a lot of Mexico already, at least the east side. I’m wondering if you will backtrack a little and make it to the pyramids in Teotihuacan. I hope you do because it is breathtaking. Good luck on your journey. I am from Mexico but have never explored the parts you are headed to now.
Take care!
Hi Nick, Read the article in my local Philadelphia Metro newspaper this morning and went to your site to find out more. I really envy you. Just gave you $5 via paypal and currently following you on tweeter. Keep the pictures and updates coming.
Be careful out there….
Paschal Nneji (Philadelphia, PA)
Hi,
I living in Barcelona SPAIN, but i’m expending a few days in Boston. This morning i read the METRO in Boston, and i wached the news from your adventure. i would like follow you by internet. I don’t know when you are expecting arrive to spain, but when you are closer i will give you sugesstions.
Good Luck and enjoy!!
Ah, you crazy French guy, I have decided to post a message deriding your ridiculous adventure. While sitting here in my cubicle in front of this stinking monitor. Because I am jealous.
Best of luck.