Drive to Mexico 2024
day 1: departure from Innisfil, Ontario
goodbye frost and cold!
This morning, we packed up and hit the road, starting our journey to Mérida, Mexico! Our first day was smooth sailing—no traffic at all, which felt like a small road trip miracle.
It’s always fascinating how the scenery shifts between states. Michigan’s crisp fall air and patches of forest gave way to Ohio’s flatter landscapes, dotted with small towns and highways. Kentucky greeted us with its rolling hills and warmer weather (18 degrees at our 6pm arrival) .
Louisville itself sits along the Ohio River, which has been a key waterway for trade and transportation throughout U.S. history. The river helped Louisville become a major hub in the 19th century, known for shipping goods like tobacco, whiskey, and cotton.
We drove through Michigan, Ohio, and finally landed in Louisville, Kentucky. the drive took about 10 hours from start to finish with only a few pit stops.
Tomorrow, we’ll head further south. Here’s hoping the drive stays as smooth as today!
day 2: new orleans, louisiana
After a 10-hour drive, we finally made it to New Orleans! The road was smooth, with no traffic and just a little rain along the way, giving us plenty of time to debate where to stay. Should we go for a chain hotel further out, or dive into the heart of the city for a more cultural experience?
In the end, we chose culture—and we definitely got it. Our stay was rustic, to say the least, with cleanliness being a bit questionable, but we couldn’t complain too much since we were just minutes away from the French Quarter.
Day 3: exploring new orleans
this little yellow house is where we stayed. the beautiful sprawling oak surrounding it and right in front of our porch was a tree covered in the classic mardi gras bead.
Mardi Gras beads, also called "throws," are an iconic part of the New Orleans Mardi Gras tradition.
Historically, the beads symbolized generosity and revelry, tying into the spirit of Mardi Gras as a time to indulge before the solemn season of Lent begins. The colors of the beads also have specific meanings, dating back to 1872 when the Rex parade established the official Mardi Gras colors:
Purple: Justice
Green: Faith
Gold: Power
While they started as simple tokens of celebration, beads have also taken on a playful, competitive edge. People line the streets and shout to catch them, and some traditions (though less common these days) involve playful antics to "earn" beads.
Over time, the meaning of the beads has evolved, and now they’re mostly seen as a fun keepsake that adds to the festive atmosphere of Mardi Gras.
New Orleans has been around since 1718, starting out as a French colony, then a Spanish one, and finally becoming part of the U.S. after the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. All those influences blend together in the city’s unique culture—think Creole food, jazz music, and colorful festivals. And while the city’s been through tough times (Hurricane Katrina), its spirit and charm remain as strong as ever.
we took the morning to pick up some local coffee and drink it while we stroll through warehouse district sreets, stopping in at all the art galleries. We listened to some live jazz and ate lunch, shopped some more on bourbon street and then made our way to see the famous luoisana bayous.
Swamps are a combination of shallow water, lush vegetation, and unique ecosystems. In Louisiana, they are home to towering cypress trees draped with Spanish moss, creating an otherworldly, hauntingly beautiful landscape. These swamps are fed by the Mississippi River and its tributaries, making them vital to the region’s ecology and culture.
we took a 40 minute tour bus and then a Flatboat, learning about the swamp’s history and ecosystem. so much fascinating information!
one of my favortie fun facts was about The water hyacinth. It is a beautiful but invasive plant with purple flowers, originally brought to Louisiana from South America in the late 1800s as a decorative garden addition. It quickly spread through the state's waterways, forming dense mats that block sunlight, deplete oxygen, and harm ecosystems while clogging navigation routes.
In 1910, a wild plan proposed introducing hippos to eat the plants and double as a food source, but the idea never took off. Today, efforts to control water hyacinths include mechanical removal, herbicides, and introducing insects like weevils to curb their growth. Despite its beauty, it’s a cautionary tale about the impact of invasive species. unfortunatley, this dimisnished the firefly population here as well… It’s always wild to think how strong nature is, and how delicate it can be at the same time.
We ended the day with dinner, diving into some authentic New Orleans vibes. The food was classic Creole—gumbo, jambalaya, and some fresh seafood that hit the spot. While we ate, a live jazz band played in the background, filling the place with that unmistakable New Orleans energy. Good food, great music, and a laid-back atmosphere—honestly, it was the perfect way to wrap up the day.
day 4: San antonio, Texas
Off we go to stay in san antonio! about a 9 hour drive, we finally reached the home of our cousin, jadwiga. we got to her beautiful home quite late so we ate dinner, chatted and went to bed.
day 5: heading for the mexican border (and back to san antonio)
we headed out early towards Loredo, to cross the american border.
unfortunelty, in order to register our car, we needed a document that was never required before and to we were forced to turn back around.
luckily, jadwiga took us in with open arms and back we went.
the document necesaRY TO CROSS THE BORder was immedietly sent through fed ex (thanks mom!), expected to be delivered the next day by noon.
we took advantage of the situation and spent 3 hours soaking in the hot tub, catching up with jadwiga and taking it easy.
day 6: san antonio and boerne, texas
after enjoying breakfast and packing up, we discover that the plane delivering our document got delayed. we are a little choked we cannot continue but, again, we take advatage and continue exploring.
jadwiga, once again takes us in and shows us some of what texas has to offer. She scoops us up and we head to her cottage in Boerne, texas.
Founded in the 1850s by German immigrants, Boerne retains much of its German heritage, evident in its architecture, festivals (none of which were happening during our stay, however, the christmas lights and decorations were well underway), and local culture. The town is known for its picturesque setting along the Cibolo Creek
we got the afternoon to stroll the quaint little streets, window shop the boutique shops and eat at a lovely restaurant.
day 7: luckenbach and fredericksburg
today we spent the day exploring more tiny towns. on our way to fredericksburg, we stopped at the famous luckenbach.
Luckenbach, Texas, is a small, historic community in the Hill Country, famous for its deep roots in country music. Founded in 1849 by German immigrant August Luckenbach, the town saw a decline in the 20th century but was revived in the 1960s when country music legends like Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings helped make it a hub for the outlaw country movement.
Known for its iconic slogan, "Everybody's Somebody in Luckenbach," the town remains a popular spot for live music, with the Luckenbach Dance Hall still hosting performances, while visitors enjoy its charming general store and laid-back vibe. Despite its tiny population, Luckenbach continues to be a symbol of Texas' musical heritage and relaxed, welcoming spirit.
we were there at a time where live bands were not playing any music, however, there were still some sights to see. it was very clean and welcoming!
day 8: back to san antonio
back in san antonio, we get a chance to catch up with some work and also figure out if we need to change flights or if we will make it in time….
one of my favorite things about this part of the world are the oak trees.
The Sprawling Oaks in San Antonio are these huge, beautiful oak trees that you’ll see all over the city, especially in older neighborhoods and parks. These trees, mostly Live Oaks and Post Oaks, are super old and have huge, twisting branches that give off tons of shade, making them a favorite for locals. They’re part of what gives San Antonio its unique charm. they create a peaceful, historic vibe.
These trees are simply stunning. they’ve been around for generations, weathering the city’s growth and changes, and now they’re kind of a symbol of the city’s resilience and natural beauty. Whether you're walking down a tree-lined street or hanging out in a park, the oaks definitely add something special to the San Antonio experience.
we spent the evening in the library and then enjoyed the last bit of texan weather in the beautiful backyard.
day 9: San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi
The document came in the mail (to the wrong house, but luckily the neighbors were home!!). We headed out right away and made our way south, through Loredo to the mexican border. Once we finally got through, we made it all the way to san luis potosi! the total drive was about 10 hours.
everything changed drastically once we passed the border. the temperature jumped up to the mid 20’s and the landscape went from semi-arid landscapes, dotted with cacti and rugged terrain to rolling hills and lush greenery, particularly upon nearing the high-altitude region of San Luis Potosí.
my favourite sight was the yucca tree. Yucca trees are tough, desert plants that can handle some of the harshest environments. They’re known for their sharp, spiky leaves and tall stalks that sprout clusters of white or cream-colored flowers. Some, like the famous Joshua tree, grow big and almost tree-like, while others stay closer to the ground. They’re not just cool to look at—people have used their fibers for making ropes or baskets, and their roots were even used as natural soap. Yuccas are a perfect example of how plants can thrive where you’d least expect them!
day 10: coatzacoalcos, veracruz
the drive from San Luis Potosí to Veracruz, spanning about 10.5 hours, offered a stunning transition from the mountainous terrain of the Sierra Madre Oriental to the lush tropical lowlands of the Gulf Coast.
The drive from San Luis Potosí to Veracruz was longer than expected due to traffic, where we stood still for about two hours—a mini blessing in disguise. It gave us a chance to stretch our legs and recharge before continuing.
As we resumed, the delay timed our journey perfectly for golden hour in the mountains, offering the most breathtaking views as the warm golden hour light painted the landscape in shades of gold and amber, making the extended drive truly unforgettable. I would even say it was my favourite part of the entire drive!
Upon arriving in Veracruz, we were greeted by a vibrant port city that was bouncing with energy. I would enjoy visiting this location and immersing myself here a little more next time! Dad had to take over driving though as I was a little nervous driving (dodging holes, stray dogs, no rules on the road, music blaring from cars and people all over the streets were a lot to take in and very different than driving anywhere else!)
day 11: merida, yucatan!
The drive from Veracruz to Mérida took about 12.5 hours and covered roughly 1,100 km. It was a long journey, but the changing landscapes made it worthwhile. we passed through tropical lowlands, caught glimpses of the coast, and admired the lush greenery of the Yucatán Peninsula.
this is where the heat really started! It was about 30 degrees and the air was thick with humidity. I couldn’t wait to get into the pool!
The toll roads were mostly in good shape, and the views of the wildlife and countryside kept things interesting. Starting early really helped, however we hit another 2 hours of standstill traffic… we got to see some small town views as we waiting for construction to clear.
day 12: back to canada
we got to do some soaking in the pool and then it was time to fly me back home :(
