12 hour Sunday Feb 11 Drive - Atlacholoaya, Morelos, near Cuernavaca to Punta de Mita Bahia de Banderas, Nayarit --Adventures from Don Goyo's Casa

Sunday drive -----on the Autopistas in Mexico "The Mexican limited access highway network is the largest in the Americas outside the USA. The construction is generally financed by toll (quota) revenue (thus user fees) rather than fuel taxes, thus the toll (quota) rates are usually rather high, about MXN $$1–$2 per kilometer ($1.6–$3.2/mi), roughly 15–30 US cents per mile (9.3–18.6 ¢/km) for private cars and motorcycles. Toll plazas along the mainline charge tolls (quotos) anywhere from MXN $20 to $300, or USD $1 to $15." from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Mexican_autopistas

Then Monday awakening to the surf and a venture with Don Goyo to the Altavista petroglyphs and grotto for a cool water experience!

 Had a nurturing breakfast at the Oasis

--> Quinta el Zopilote, in  Atlacholoaya,  --> Quinta el Zopilote, at 8 AM prior to getting on the road around 9 AM for a 12 hour drive, mostly on Autopistas, across the high plains of Mexico ----------Here is a typical view from the car seat on a VW Jetta, that served as my pony!  Gracias to Alfredo of Avis in Puerto Vallarta for helping to choose this pony for our adventure!  

 Green fields and mountains along the Autopista

 Morning views, first light during my meditation time and then at breakfast with one of the local workers clearing out the pool, with the Bahia de Banderas behind ----

I had arrived after dark to the home of Don Goyo, Craig and Viviana---and in the morning of Monday, noticed some of the touches of the home that honors the Turtle, Tortuga ----

 
Turtle honored in this mosiac of local stone  ----- 
 
Some of the plants in the garden that Viviana, Don Goyo's Mexicano esposa --has planted and maintained in around their casa of 17 years plus !

Great beach and environment to start digesting my trip on my 12 day in the country  - Love the sound of the surf and the whales out in the bay! 

 
Beach in front of the Casa de Don Goyo and Viviani ----
 View of the Casa from the beach, protected by manzanita and palm trees

Don Goyo, Craig Minea Citizen of Mexico and Carleton Classmate of 1969 gassing up his white pony at the local Pemex with an Oxxo behind (a Mexicano 7-11 type store)---He gracefully drove to give myself a rest after my long drive on Sunday from Xochitepec Morelos, to La Cruz, Nayarit ---
My total mileage for 13 days, was 2139 km or 1329 miles!

The Altavista Petroglyphs site was our vision of a quiet respectful  and prayful  visit

Altavista petroglyph complex

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altavista_petroglyph_complex

 
After we parked on this road above the valley to find the petroglyphs, we came across a pick by the field of trees  --- rather dry this time of year--

 
Dry fields along the road during our walk  ---- 


 
A prickly fruit in the field  --not sure what this tropical fruit is?   

Here is the sign by at the entry to the path up the valley to the grotto  - we paid 50 pesos to an elder, usually 20 pesos to honoring the caretakers and the land

One that looks like an arrow?


A cross and a multiple infinity sign -------

A cross with wide bases on the same rock as above --

 
The "corn man"as we noticed many offerings here  ----
The cool water grotto where we each took a dip  ---the was a group of 7 young American adults with kids, from Portland Oregon when we arrived who were very respectful and then Jorge from Tepic driving a CDMX tour vehicle had his dog and about 4 rather loud American Tourists from NY and CASome water still flowing now during the dry season in the grotto ----

 Jorge from Nayarit Uncovered Tours with 4 rather loud American Touristas ---(his black dog out of view)

Some cairns, stacked rocks above the grotto with Jorge's tour group below

 
Don Goyo, AKA Craig M and Tom W, two 1969 Carleton Grads at the grotto , photo by one of Jorge's tourist people