Campion Celebrity 2012

This weekend was a 3-day weekend in honor of Benito Juárez's birthday. Benito Juárez was Mexico's president for five terms (1858-1872).  He was the first Mexican president of full indigenous descent (Zapotec origen from Oaxaca) and to not have a military background. He resisted the French occupation in Mexico and restored the Republic and used liberal efforts to modernize the country. He is remembered as a progressive reformer dedicated to democracy, equal rights for Mexico's indigenous people, lessening the power of the Roman Catholic Church in Mexican politics, and the defense of national sovereignty. His period of leadership is known as La Reforma (the reform) and included the expropriation of church lands, bringing the army under civilian control, liquidation of peasant communal land holdings, the separation of church and state in public affairs, etc. (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benito_Juárez)


This weekend I visited Las Grutas de Tolantongo (the caves of Tolantongo) in the state of Hidalgo. This self-described "Oasis within reach" was a bit farther away than we thought, but worth it! It boasts a blue, "hot springs" river with an average temperature of 93 degrees fahrenheit. There's a tunnel that's like a natural steam bath and hot shower rolled into one.  There's a cave where you can wade in the warm water amongst the stalagmites and showers of naturally heated water. There are various (warm) pools to swim/relax in and beautiful waterfalls. There are also options of hiking or zip-lining. If you stay overnight, there are hotels on the premises and tents to rent for camping.


(For more info visit Grutas de Tolantongo's website: http://www.grutastolantongo.com.mx/index_ing.php) 

almost there! a quick photo op with the impressive landscape

driving down the mountain to get to the Grutas

driving down the mountain to get to the Grutas

driving down the mountain to the Grutas

driving down the mountain to the Grutas

Welcome to Las Grutas! "Hot springs" river and camping area

waterfalls

waterfalls

waterfalls

waterfalls

waterfalls. entrance to the tunnel above and entrance to the cave below

doesn't it look like The Scream face?

lots of people!

waiting to go into the tunnel

waterfall

under a cascade of hot water in the cave

tranquil pool of naturally heated water

so excited to roast marshmallows!

About to try the pink marshmallow. Suspicion confirmed: not as good.

Pretty view of the mountains in the morning

the "hot springs" river

various eatery options

hummingbird on the cactus flower

A couple weekends ago I spent the day with a group of ten at La Marquesa. La Marquesa is the more common name for the Insurgente Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla National Park and is located outside of the DF heading toward Toluca. It's a popular weekend spot as an escape from the city. There are picnic tables and fields to play sports. You can rent horses and/or ATVs. You can go trout fishing or zip-lining. And of course lots of casual restaurants for something to eat. We spent the day in Valle del Conejo, one of the many valleys.

View of Valle del Conejo in La Marquesa (Edson's photo)

view of Valle del Conejo in La Marquesa (Edson's photo)

We had breakfast/lunch when we got there and then rented horses. We had a bit of a scare, but fortunately it all worked out ok. They offered me a "calm" horse but once we started on the trail they suggested that Edson and I trade horses. We did, but my new horse wasn't responding to me and just wanted to eat the grass on the side of the trail (yes, I admit I'm not as firm as I need to be with the horse). Edson came back to help and then his horse (that I had previously been riding) took off at full gallop back to where we had started and ignored all commands/gestures/signals to stop. When it got close to where we had started, it slipped on the gravel and wet ground and fell, landing on Edson's foot. Edson came away with a sore foot and arm, but nothing broken. Fortunately he had some experience riding and knew what to do -- I would have been lost. We were lucky -- things could have been a lot worse.
Once I was sure he was ok (fortunately my horse returned slowly to the start and didn't decide to gallop as well), I continued on the trail but made sure to stay closer to a guide just in case. The scenery was very pretty, but it wasn't quite as "relaxing" as I originally thought it would be.

Getting started. I'm on the "calm" horse (Edson's photo)

Getting started. Edson on the horse I later switched to

(Edson's photo)

Scenic overlook on the trail

Scenic overlook on the trail

After horseback riding we played around for a bit -- baseball, volleyball and touch-football. (I scored a touchdown -- woohoo!) and then some of us went to ride the 4-wheelers.

(Edson's photo)

(Edson's photo)

the group taking shelter from the storm (Edson's photo)