On a long, five-hour drive from Tucson, Arizona, to the Mexican border through the never-ending Chihuahuan Desert, the second largest desert in North America. It covers parts of the Southwest United States and northern Mexico.

There was some dramatic, beautiful scenery.

The cresote bush is the dominate plant here. It is used in various products and is antimicrobial.

Some interesting rock formations.

Also, some farming in the desert. We also saw a vineyard. We should now be in Cochise County, named after the infamous Apache chief Cochise. He led the Apache Wars, which was an uprising which began in 1861 against the U.S. government. A peace treaty was signed in 1872.

We were finally at the U.S.-Mexican border at Puerto Palamos de Villa (shortened to Palamos). Across the border from Palamos is Columbus in the U.S. state of New Mexico. A long time at the border as we had to have all our luggage hand-searched by Mexican customs--that was about 41 suitcases and at least 20 carry-ons and this was done by us opening all our suitcases on the cement. Surprisingly, this border crossing was almost empty. They were looking for guns (you cannot take guns into Mexico and the penalty is prison), illegal drugs, and too much money.

Bienvenidos! We are now in Palamos in the Mexican state of Chihuahua (Mexico has 32 states). Many Americans cross the border here to obtain lower-cost dental care, eye exams, and prescription drugs and for shopping and eating. Palomas has a population of about 4,700.

A Palamos street.

The metal sculpture at the front left of the last photo.

We ate lunch at this restaurant/store in Palamos: La tienda Rosa--The Pink Shop.

Greeters.

This is where you should buy your Mexican handicrafts and pottery--right across the border--as it has the best selection and there were few such stores in the other places we were in Mexico on this trip and those were small. The store carries items from all over Mexico.

Vases--talavera plus other types of Mexican vases.

More pots and vases.

I would have taken her home if she wasn't so heavy.

Sombreros.

A painting of Frieda.

A bust of Frieda.

A senorita and Day of the Dead mask.

A fountain in front of small Mexican tiles.

Ceremonial mask and Day of the Dead figure.

Day of the Dead figure.

Day of the Dead figures.

Across from the restaurant in a small park was an equestrian statue of Pancho Villa. This is Pancho Villa country and he is a Mexican hero.

Close-up. Pancho Villa launched his attack on the United States at Columbus, New Mexico, on March 9, 1916, during the Mexican Revolution. In retaliation, General John J. Pershing launched the Pancho Villa Expedition to capture Pancho Villa, who was never captured. George S. Patton was part of the expedition.

Scenes of Pancho Villa on the statue's pedestal.

Another scene.

Another scene.

Another scene.

A photo of Pancho Villa in the middle and General Persing on the left and Alvaro Obregon, 39th president of Mexico, on the right. This photo was taken at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Texas, in 1914, when Pancho Villa was admired in the U.S. and before he attacked the U.S.

This indigenous family was sitting in the park. There are 89 indigenous languages in Mexico and 21.5% of the Mexican population is indigenous, meaning their roots in Mexico are from before the arrival of Europeans.

Another photo.

Another photo.

Another indigenous woman.

More of Palomas. There is a statue near here of General Pershing and Pancho Villa shaking hands though we did not see it.

Back on the road.

More driving through the Chihuahuan Desert.

On the road, a small village. OXXO is a convenience store chain in Mexico.

In the village.

More desert.

Entering the town of Janos.

An interesting mural here.

Finally, we made it to our first overnight stop in Nuevo Casas Grande. We arrived at 4:50 p.m., though we had to set our clocks ahead one hour along the way. The photo is of the restaurant that we had our welcome dinner at. It is owned by a Belgium and we had a choice of beef or chicken for our entree.

We were supposed to visit the Paquime ruins this afternoon and also the pottery village of Mata Ortiz, but the hold-up at the border didn't give us enough time to do this. So two of the sculptors from Mata Ortiz came to visit us at the restaurant.

In the 1980s, Juan Quezada Celado developed a pottery industry in Mata Ortiz, a revival of the Paquime ancient pottery. The pottery is sculpted without using a pottery wheel.

Kilns like this one are used to harden the clay of the pottery.

The vases are put into the kiln.

Wood was already placed around the kiln and its top was added and loaded down.

Next, the wood is lit. I remember being told that the pots are fired in the kiln for two hours.

Inside the restaurant, a woman is showing how paint is applied. They use brushes made from children's hair. An auction was held for the three pots. Two sold at very good prices.