On a recent trip to Mexico we made good time on the autopisat. Midday we stopped for a tailgate picnic in the sierras at a cooler, 5,000 foot altitude, 200 miles south of the border.

Here's Sue sitting in our San Miguel apaartment's little patio area. She's trying to catch up with her journal writing. The big, fat gato (cat) laying on the chair is Mandy. He lives upstairs but likes to hang out on our patio.

Spike painting on a bridge over Canal street in San Miguel, Mexico, where he could get a good view of the setting sun.

At a market in Oaxaca, Sue is buying a sturdy tote basket woven from palm fronds.

Here Spike has an audience while he paints in the streets of Patzcuaro, Mexico.

The village of Tzintzuntzan, not far from Patzcuaro, is known for its woven straw crafts. This market displayed thousands of amazing items made from fine, golden straw and the tougher tule reeds that thrive around Lake Patzcuaro.

Here Spike is painting a view of the famous Isla Janitzio, on Lake Patzcuaro. This island has become a major tourist attraction, particularly during the Day of the Dead ceremonies.

In Tlacalula near Oaxaca City, we asked a woman selling turkeys in a street market if we could take her picture. She didn't want to pose but happily offered Sue her chair and one of the big fat birds to hold. Of course Spike snapped the picture just as Sue made a funny face in reaction to how heavy the turkey was.

On the rooftop of our hotel in Tepoztlan, Mexico, Spike dicovered a fabulous view.

In the town of Tamazulapan, in the state of Oaxaca, we stopped to rest in the shady plaza. The whole garden was surrounded by whimsical topiaries. We noticed topiaries in most plazas in Oaxaca state, as well in many private gardens.

Villa Etla, just north of Oaxaca City, Mexico on carretera 190. Spike and Dan Rueffert set up to paint as the sun broke through the clouds.

After two months in Mexico, we both felt somewhat transformed!

Hope you have enjoyed this little bit of our on Location juornal.