Mas cascades 

View across the river 

Interesting flora and canyon views 

Cloud was hanging low over the canyon on the first day. 

Entrance to the main cave (gruta) 

Pass the Trail Mix - Please

Back from the trip to the “Grutas of Tolantongo” – about four hours southeast by car from SMA. The countryside is looking particularly colorful after all the rain we have had and the fields are full of bright yellow black-eyed-suzans (without the black eyes) and purple cosmos. The grass and bush cover is green and the cows, goats and sheep appear very content.

Tolantongo is in the state of Hidalgo – one of the poorest and least inhabited states. It is renowned for mining and cattle ranching but the major export now appears to be people north to USA. The capital city is Pachuca whose main claim to fame appears to be a pro futbol club that has the unique policy not to employ any foreign players. Of course Hidalgo also has its food specialties such as Chinicuiles (red worms) and Escamoles (spawn of ant).

We were twenty in our group organized by the local Audobon Society. Very congenial and interesting group including people who have hiked all over the globe – nature and Mx lovers all from the US (except for me) but from a wide swath of previous professions – mostly retired and of that age. I had planned to take my car but in the end my travel companion couldn't make it so I joined up with the rest of the group in their vehicles and left the Chev in SMA. We were five cars in caravan at four a piece.

The canyon is about 1000 meters deep, I suppose, with spectacular vistas up and down and water falls cascading over the steep rock walls down to the river below. The whole area is probably 1500 meters lower in altitude than SMA so the vegetation is semi tropical. The resort itself is owned and managed by a co-op of local Indian tribes and is well maintained and very popular on the weekends. We were lucky to be early in the week and had the place virtually to ourselves. The main attractions around the hotel are the campgrounds, interesting hiking paths, the “grutas” (caves), and the thermal baths. The food was ok enhanced somewhat by a tequila salesman who offered a few bottles of his new product gratis to the group. The Audobon organized happy hour nibblies each evening and after a large lunch that was all one needed in the way of food.

Unfortunately the river was a bit high due to recent rains so it was impossible to cross to the other side and take advantage of what is advertised as spectacular hiking trails in the adjoining reserve’s co-op. But we had enough to do on the side we came in on including a nice walk along the river thru orange, banana and papaya groves. The thermal baths are also a place where one can spend many hours in nice warm water on a variety of levels with a variety of views over the steep canyon walls and river below. All in all a very nice destination.

Chile-Willy not ready for any bulls. 

The Gregster ready for the bullsas well as the leftovers from the crowds. 

My Tuesday market hat with a full explaination of futbol. 

Futbol explained 

The Bull Run

We have survived, (barely), another San Miguel Pampelona – running of the bulls. Some 30,000 visitors managed to kill one bull, send 53 kids to emergency wards, shoot one person in a gang-style affair, urinate on almost everything and leave enough goodies lying around this morning to satisfy even the Gregster. Indeed, a fine weekend was had by all.

This weekend, which is the largest of the September fiestas in SMA, makes the national day celebrations of last weekend pale by comparison if noise and public displays of almost everything are the gage. This particularly so given that last weekend was a soggy one with very heavy rains on Friday night for the “grita” or shout of independence, given this year from Delores-Hidalgo, the cradle of Mx independence, by President Fox. This solved two problems: one it was the last chance for Fox to do it from Delores and it would have gone against a long-standing tradition had he not been there at least once in his six year term; secondly it got Fox out of Mx City where he was going to have to compete with the leftist Obrador who still does not accept the election results of July 2 in spite of their confirmation by the Federal Election Tribunal earlier this month. (The good news here is that his popularity seems to have peaked along with his money - although we should not discount Sr. Chavez interest in being even stupider in this respect.)

Hoteliers in SMA will not rent to most of the youngsters that arrive for the Pamplona in private vehicles and by the busload from big cities around Mx, particularly Monterey, Guadelahara, and Mx City. As a result, the morning after, they are to be found asleep on the grass around the parks and in every type of conveyance imaginable. One woman was seen trying to remove two young (very large) fellows form her car in front of her house this morning. They were not moving however – not until they had fully slept it off at least. How they got in her car is anyone’s guess.

Greg considers sleeping kids on his grass in his park fair game. He goes up and licks their faces and barks a little. Most are a bit concerned he may be fixing do other things on them so they normally show signs of life and wave him off. He is content to pick up whatever is edible around them and certainly this weekend is the most productive in that respect.

Back to the beginning of the NFL season and some good university ball. The Mx futbol season is in half season. I found a hat at the local Tuesday market that explains it all for those wondering what the excitment is all about. Pic attached.