Taking a road trip to Mexico with a couple of my colleagues. One is an archaeologist and historian so I am learning a lot and seeing many fascinating historical sites. Went to the Camino Real historical museum today and we're staying in a Bed and Breakfast in Columbus NM tonight, the town where Pancho Villa attacked the US in 1916 trying to the US to enter WWI.
Into Mexico tomorrow. First time for me.

The Camino Real is the Royal Road, a 1200 mile road created by the Spanish in the 1500's to connect Mexico City and Santa Fe. Probably one of the oldest roads in the Americas.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Don't drink the water!

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1993 300E 2.8 185k miles
2006 Mustang Convertible 4.0 Eaton Supercharged

I just read a story by Peter Egan about biking in mexico. He loves it. He intimated that perhaps Pancho never actually attacked the US but it was faked by a European wanting to suck the US into one of those European wars!

Now I wanna go.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Stephens, John L. - Incidents of Travel in Yucatan. 1840's travelogue.
Prescott's "Conquest of Mexico". A general history from a western European perspective.

Excellent background reading.

Keep us informed; I always wanted to take the w123 across the border (I'm in Texas), but it's supposed to be dangerous. I'm an optimist so I always figured those stories are usually a bunch of hooey. I'd like to know if you felt safe or not during your trip.

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- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

Chris, my historian friend, has serious doubts as to whether Pancho Villa himself was involved in the attack. His men were certainly here, because there was lots of destruction and death in the town. Surprisingly, Columbus is the location of the first US Army Air Force base which Pershing used in his response to Villa's attack. It is also the first (one of the first?) places where the army began using trucks. They had a machine gun mounted on a motorcycle, and Chris says they even had some mounted on mules.
I'll keep you posted on the Mexico portion. My friends speak some Spanish. I don't.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

PRIVATE: "Sir! My gun jammed and my mule refuses to move!"

CAPTAIN: "Well, shoot the SOB!"

PRIVATE: "Sir! With WHAT?"

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M. G. Burg
'10 - Dakota SXT - Daily Ride / ≈ 172.5K
.'76 - 450SLC - 107.024.12 / < .89.20 K
..'77 - 280E - 123.033.12 / > 128.20 K
...'67 - El Camino - 283ci / > 207.00 K
....'75 - Yamaha - 650XS / < 21.00 K
.....'87 - G20 Sportvan / > 206.00 K
......'85 - 4WINNS 160 I.O. / 140hp
.......'74 - Honda CT70 / Real 125
.
“I didn’t really say everything I said.”
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ Yogi Berra ~

First question that pops into my head...are you driving one of the Mercedes?

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2009 ML320 Bluetec
1985 300CD
1981 300TD

Past Mercedes
1979 300TD
1982 300TD
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1998 E430
1984 300SD
1980 300SD

Sounds like a great trip to me and I look forward to your tales from the road.

Taking your new camper?

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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

I live in Decatur, Texas and have taken several extended driving trips into Mexico over the years. Most recently this past August. I was actually intending to drive the 420 sel, and spent a month plus some $$$ getting it ready only to learn at the last minute that I needed the title to the car (which was at home) and I was too far from home at that point to go back and get it. Fortunately the group we were driving with had an extra van ready to go so we took that instead. Driving through the mountains to Saltillo, is beautiful and the roads are as nice as any interstate we have here.

Back in the late 70's and early 80's I went camping through the Mexican mountains (Oriental and Occidental) as far south as the border with Guatemala & Belize. They were wonderful experiences that I wish I could repeat today. We never, ever had any problems but we mostly stayed in camps far from towns. I'd stay away from border areas and DF at all costs.

B

I was gonna say that. Hey don't forget to visit the Hersey factory, it moved from PA.

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"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL

Kerry...have you seen No Country for Old Men?

That was great!

Yeah, be forewarned. If you come across any suitcases full of money in the desert, LEAVE THEM ALONE!

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" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Take the money and leave the transmitter!

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79 240D (no name yet) 203K Miles Maple Yellow
98 2500 4x4 HD Dodge 24 Valve Cummins TD
83 Chevy Van (Dead-Trans. shot)