Day 3 was definitely not as early of a morning thankfully. We were picked up at the hotel at 0715 in the fanciest van I have ever been in. It had a 24in flat screen TV with theater style seating.
Luckily there was only one other person in the van when we got in and we were able to sit in the front. This became extremely important towards the end of the drive when dodging potholes became necessary. I felt like riding the Scrambler at an amusement park but back and forth in both directions. The drivers skill was impressive though he knew exactly when to slow down and how to use the entire road and side of the road to avoid as many holes as possible. Pennsylvania roads are like a race track compared to the back roads of Mexico. The video really doesn't do it justice.
Apparently there is a pretty large community of Mennonites in this area of Mexico. I’m not sure if they came here from America or from Europe but their farms and clothing style are pretty much the same as in the U.S. and when I have good service again I will definitely do more research. (UPDATE - They initially movedto Mexico from Canada in the 1920s and live in the states of Chihuahua, Durango, Campeche, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, San Luis Potosi and Quintana Roo.
We stopped at a small gas station part way through the ride for drinks and a bathroom break. I picked out some plantain chips and a limeade and Joshua got an iced tea. Added to the snacks from last night we probably have $30-40 worth of convenience store food that cost us around $15. They have some crazy foods as well and hopefully I’ll be able to bring some home with me!
We arrived at Yukkutz camp around 1100 and got settled into our rooms. Somehow Joshua and I pulled the short stick and got stuck in the wooden hut with a Dove sitting on her nest in the corner beside the bed. It’ll do for the few days we are here but is not what I was expecting based on the picture online.
The surroundings though are stunning and there is a very nice pool. There is a communal dinning area where all the meals are served and all he drinks you could want. They have 4 dogs, 2 iguanas, 3 tortoises, another type of lizard, doves, 2 turkey, another kind of bird and 8 parrots 4 of which are unable to fly so they roam on their perches and ropes. They appear to really enjoy and love all their animals, they have a very happy home here.
There are 8 hunters total including Joshua. I can’t remember everyone’s name yet but I know that 2 are from Naples, FL also traveling with a guy from Idaho (they chartered a private flight here) who just so happens to be from the same town as Jeff (who we got to know well during the car ride). They had never met each other before but Jeff has been to the Antique store the other guy owns and almost bought a jaguar skin rug from him a couple years ago….. small world. More about Jeff later. Another hunter Matt is from Minnesota and lastly a father (Kalan Lemon) and son (Tracken) from Utah. Tracken is 9 years old and he will only need one more turkey after this to complete his world slam. He has only killed about half with a bow though due to hunting laws in other states and Mexico. Still incredibly impressive for a 9 year old!
Jeff sat in the front passenger seat during the ride and Josh and I talked with him a lot. He like many we talk to has traveled the world hunting different game animals. He is not a huge turkey hunter but plans to go quail hunting after getting his turkey. The main animal he has hunted around the world are Grouse. There are 17 species in the world 14 that were legal to hunt hen he finished his slam and now there are only 13 that are legal to hunt. He traveled to Sweden and all over the U.S. and Canada. He seems to mostly enjoy hunting birds. It was a lot of fun to talk with someone else to help take up the time during the 3 hour drive.
For lunch we had chicken pesto pasta with a side salad and toasted bread.
It was very good and everyone emptied their plates. It appears that meals here will be like a 5 star restaurant every evening. After lunch the hunters all got ready to head out for an afternoon hunt.
I took that opportunity to try out the pool and relax and write this post. The water was colder than I expected but felt amazing. It isn’t as hot and humid as I initially anticipated.
After my dip in the pool I relaxed on one of the lounge chairs to get a little sun. One would think the middle of nowhere Mexico would be very quiet but the birds, wild and domestic, don’t really allow for that. Especially not the parrots by the pool who are very vocal when you walk across their bridge.
I relaxed and watched a movie on my tablet until the hunters came back for the evening. Matt was the only successful hunter. He killed his with a bow which completed his world slam. One other hunter shot and hit a turkey but it got back up and ran off. No one else even saw any birds but the guides are confident tomorrow morning will be better.
Dinner was flank steak, onions, fried cheese, guacamole, tortillas with cheese inside and small sausages. Dessert was flan. All of it was amazing! If the rest of the week is food like this we will definitely not go hungry.
After dinner we showered an headed to bed to prepare for the next days adventures.