Adios Mexico, I’m ruined!
The grand daddy of them all, El Castillo pyramid in Chichen Itza. The ruins here are named one of the new 7 wonders of the world
Inside El Palacio in the ruins of Palenque
This massive ball court, called El Gran Juego de Pelota, was used to settle disputes, an alternative to battle between Mayan Tribes. The best warriors would wear leather belts and attempt to move 10 pound balls through small stone circles some 20 feet in the air using only their hips. The losers were decapitated. This 135 meter court felt like a mix between a Harry Potter quidditch match and a scene out of the Never Ending Story.
Here is a better look at the stone rings of a smaller Juego de Pelota court at the ruins of Coba
First night camping on the Gulf of Mexico
Pedicab drivers strategically wait for tourists to finish climbing the Pyramids of Coba. Enervated, the tourists happily jump on board these Mexican styled Pedicabs to cruise back to the visitor center.
Temples abound at the ruins of Palenque
Another view of the Pyramid at Chichen Itza
Nohoch Mul, or Big Mound, Pyramid at the ruins of Coba. No one was injured while attempting to climb this one, but it was funny watching some people freak out on the way down.
Ruins of Tulum along the crystal clear Carribean waters
Misol Ha waterfall in the jungles of Chaipas provided a wonderful misty afternoon breeze
Little bit of road missing in the hills of Chiapas, no problema
Mexio Love Poem
Feliz Navidad, Naked New Year, and a Wind Farm
Mexicans celebrate Christmas with a big dinner late in the evening on Christmas Eve with everyone in the family. This video shows the family sharing hugs and kisses right after midnight on Christmas morning.
In southeastern Oaxaca you will find a very windy stretch of land between the towns of La Ventoas y La Venta. Mexicans have harnessed the incredible power of the wind with hundreds of wind turbines across several wind farms. I was warned that if I tried to cross this wind zone I would be blown off my bike. And I was, more than once.El Aguacero Waterfall in Chiapas Mexico
El Aguacero waterfall in Chiapas Mexico
A view from one of Mexico's fishing ports, Puerto Angel, as the fishermen come in from a day's work.
I took in the New Year on one of Mexico's nude beaches, Playa Zipolite. While I can't show pictures from during the day... here is a video from some of the evenings festivities!
I arrived at a beach town in Oaxaca one night and met a family (the family in my boat) who was visiting from Mexico City. Within 4 minutes they offered me a cool beverage and invited me to join them on a boat tour looking for crocodiles. We didn't see many crocs but we did spend a pretty evening on the water, spotting iguanas, several species of birds, and enjoying a tasty Oaxacan dinner after. Mexican kindness at its finest.
A Pilgrimage to La Virgen de Juquila
A Oaxaca
Oxacans are known for their festive parades through the streets. This was La Calenda parade for La Virgen de la Soledada. The music, dancing, dresses, giant dolls, and religious figures made for the strongest display of culture I have seen so far.
Some of the members of the Oaxaca Night Runners Club after their night run up and down one of Oaxaca's hills
Oaxacans love to make tlayudas with big tortillas, local cheese, and occasionally crickets
View looking down into the Oaxacan valley from one of the taller pueblos, Benito Juarez, over 10k ft
The streets of El Pueblo de Amatlan were filled with signs with short sayings. These read "Only the wise discuss. The rest impose their ideas" and "The only value: respect; and everything would be perfect
Some of the many dancing doll figures in the parade
Los Mexicanos celebrate the 9 days leading up to Christmas with Posadas, big parties with song, prayer, tasty food and the distribution of sweets as shown in the video
View of the impressive Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzman in Oaxaca city
Just outside of Oaxaca is one of only two beautiful petrified waterfalls in the world
Detailed designs inside the small ruins of Mitla
El Arbol de Tule has the world's largest tree trunk. They wouldn't let me climb it.
Thank you spring water of Sierra Juarez for being cool and delicious
View from the lovely Sierra Juarez mountains
These massive earth ovens sit on the mountain sides outside of Oaxaca, cooking the maguey plant's pina for several days before fermentation and distillation. Mexicans have a saying about Mezcal: "Para todo mal, Mezcal, Para todo bien, tambien." "When things are bad, mezcal, when things are good, mezcal also."
Veracruz
This kind family of farmers treated me to a delicious taco lunch on the road
Corn fields in high country near Perote, Mexico
Many of the trees in Mexico are white washed at the trunks, especially in parks around the cities. I have heard this is to keep animals away and just for decoration. The people of Veracruz painted some of the trees extra specially.
Offering to the Sleeping Volcano
The Center of the Universe
Adios Baja, Hola Mexico
The Sierra Madre mountain range is filled with dozens of bridges, tunnels, and cool mountain spring water that costs $0 pesos.
My Iphone broke when in the Northern Central Highlands, so I have to borrow this photo. Zacatecas is an enchanting silver mining town filled with culture and a rich history, playing a big role in Mexico's Revolution a couple centuries ago.
I took a Saturday off in Durango, passing the afternoon with some of the local cyclists. 2 points for Jahaziel.
Coconut tastes better when using a machete
This is the Baluarte Bridge in the Sierra Madre Mountain range between Mazatlan and Durango, Mexico. I learned after crossing it that it is the second highest bridge in the world. Yep, It seemed pretty tall when crossing it.
Another borrowed picture, this of the streets of Guanajuato. The beautiful town is filled with colorful narrow streets, and a series of underground tunnels below allows pedestrians to rule the streets day and night.
Xochitl and Guillermo live in Leon, Mexico. They treated me to a fun night out on the town where I tried Guacamayas (fried pork skin and avocado sandwich), and listened to local music.
Baja California
Potable water is precious in the desert states of Baja California, and we have been drinking roughly 6 liters each day.
A shot from Coco's Corner. Coco lost both of his legs and decided to ride his wheelchair alone for 250 miles into the middle of the desert to find a place to live. He has had many visitors since, including us.
Pascual, a global traveler from Switzerland (ptitb.net).
Most nights in Baja California mean sleeping next to big cacti. Mexico puts the United States to shame when it comes to size and variety of cactus. Come on Arizona, step your cactus game up.
Pascual, Melanie and Vincent, and I after celebrating Pascual's three year anniversary on the road. We celebrated with a tasty fish fry, a series of presents for Pascual, and a night sky filled with shooting stars. I taught them how to make smores for the first time, and I felt American.
I think Corona comes here to film their commercials.
First night sleeping with Los Bomberos (firefighters). We woke up in the middle of the night to their fire alarm, and first thing in the morning to the sound of dance music from their neighbors.
Dia de Los Muertos
French in Baja California
Southern Cali
Arizona
Colorado
Words don't describe Colorado very well, so I will let some of my photos try.
Kansas
Kansas is one big, flat, windy state, with really nice people inside. Here are a couple jokes about Kansas:
What is the best part about Kansas? When you actually leave Kansas.
Why did the cookie crisp cross the road? Kansas.
Taking care of our brother and sister
Rane managed to rig together a doggy cart on the back of his trailer.
Missouri- Hot and Hilly
More of Missouri
The Mississippi
Kentucky
A Monastery Visit
Boren Indiana

Shout out to Becky and Terry OConnor who fed me a great dinner and breakfast after meeting them at their bible study in Boren Indiana!
Hoosier Weekend in Indy
After the first two days of biking and 165 miles on the tires, it was time to hang out with my big sis Christine in Indianapolis. The weekend was fun filled with a trip to the Indiana State Fair, a walk along the Indy canal, and a night out in Broad Ripple to watch some stand up comedy. So great hanging out with my sis!
Walk along Indy Canal
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Namib in Namibia
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Crowning The King, Baboons and the “How Are You” Song in Zambia
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Building a Solar Water Heater in Colombia
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Coast to Mountains to Jungle, A Peruvian Journey with my Sister
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Patagonia
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Hash and Hotel Rooms in Morocco
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Ruta 40 in Argentina
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Keeping It Hot In Cambodia
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Sailing the South Atlantic Ocean
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South African Dap