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A 10,000-mile Odyssey

By: Tyler Bradt

By KAVU

April 22^nd, 2025

A Road Trip from Washington to Mexico and Back....

What started as a simple idea—a road trip south from my home in Washington—turned into a three-month, 10,000-mile adventure that wove through deserts, mountains, jungles, and coastlines. From the arid expanses of the U.S. Southwest to the vibrant heart of Mexico and back again, this journey was a kaleidoscope of cultures, climates, and geographies.

The Painted Desert and the Road South

Leaving Washington’s evergreen forests behind, I pointed my car south and soon found myself in Arizona’s Painted Desert. The landscape was a surreal canvas of reds, oranges, and purples, with wind-sculpted rock formations glowing under the vast sky. It felt like driving through a painting—silent, stark, and timeless. The dry frigid desert and endless horizons were a sharp departure from the misty Pacific Northwest, setting the tone for the contrasts to come.

Crossing into Mexico was like flipping a switch. The orderly grids of U.S. highways gave way to bustling streets alive with color, music, and the scent of street food. The climate shifted from temperate to tropical, and the geography morphed from flat desert to rugged sierras. It was exhilarating—a sensory overload that made every mile feel like a discovery.

Monterey: A Night at Climbing Camp

My first stop in Mexico was Monterey, where I spent a night at a climbing camp nestled in the Sierra Madre Oriental. Towering limestone cliffs loomed overhead, travelers swapping stories around a crackling fire. The starry sky and cool mountain breeze made it a perfect pause before plunging deeper south. It soaked in the vibe, reconnecting with the serendipitous feeling of traveling often less present in an everyday life of routine.

Valle de Bravo: Paragliding and Old Friends

Next, I rolled into Valle de Bravo, a charming lakeside town southwest of Mexico City, where I reunited with old friends. This picturesque spot, with its cobblestone streets and red-tiled roofs, is a haven for paragliders. For two weeks, we soared over the Piñón Valley, a stunning expanse of rolling hills and pine forests that stretch out beneath the thermals. Paragliding here is pure magic—launching from a ridge in the stunning Pinon Valley, you catch the thermals and glide effortlessly, the wind whispering past as the valleys and mesas unfold below.

Valle de Bravo’s culture is a blend of laid-back charm and vibrant tradition. The town pulses with artisans selling handmade textiles and pottery in the market, while locals gather in the plaza for coffee and gossip. The holidays brought a festive hum. My friends welcomed me into the warmth of Mexican hospitality, and we spent evenings sharing mescal and stories, feeling like time could stretch forever.

Veracruz: Christmas Paddling in Jalcomulco

I bid farewell to Valle de Bravo and drove east to Veracruz, arriving in Jalcomulco just in time for Christmas. This riverside town is a paddler’s paradise, and I linked up with some new friends to explore the Upper Swardo section of the Antigua River.

This new section is spectacular—Class 5 cascading drops and waterfall. Christmas Day was a highlight: we did a fun community float on the local town run, a relaxed paddle with lots of laughter. The holiday spirit was alive, wrapped in the humid embrace of the tropics.

Alseseca River: Jungle Canyons and Race

From Jalcamulco, I headed to the Alseseca River and checked into Aventurec, a long time paddling paradise on the edge of Veracruz’s jungle. The Alseseca is a stunning river—deep, narrow canyons carved through dense, dripping jungle, where vines hang low and the air hums with unseen life.

The river itself is a unique, world class river: steep drops, tight slots, and spectacular waterfalls - undoubtedly one of the best paddling rivers on earth.

I timed my visit perfectly for the Alseseca Race, an annual whitewater showdown that draws paddlers from around the globe. The course is on a classic section of the Alseseca called ‘Roadside’. It’s a low volume, very technical course with very tight lines. It was an incredible opportunity to connect with the local community, the river, and play a small part in the greater conservation efforts of the river.

Back to Valle de Bravo, Then West to the Coast

After the race, I looped back to Valle de Bravo for a quick recharge with my friends before heading west to Mazatlán on Mexico’s Pacific Coast. The drive was a slog, but the ferry across the Sea of Cortez to Baja made it worthwhile. Standing on deck as the sun dipped below the horizon, I watched the mainland fade and the Baja Peninsula rise—a rugged silhouette promising new adventures. The route was very similar to the crossing I made on the Wizard’s Eye to complete my world circumnavigation 7 years ago and remains a very special place for me.

Baja Peninsula: Kite Surfing and Desert Contrasts

In Baja, I spent a week kite surfing near La Ventana, where steady winds and turquoise waves create a playground for kite surfers and wing foilers. The ocean was a vibrant blue, stretching to the horizon, but just beyond the shore lay the desert—endless sands studded with towering cactus, their spiky arms reaching skyward. The contrast was striking: the cool, crashing waves against the sun-scorched stillness of the desert.

The drive north up the Baja Peninsula took two days, a 1,000-mile stretch of desolate beauty. Highway 1 wound through barren plains and past jagged peaks, the cactus standing sentinel over a landscape that felt both hostile and serene. Every so often, the road hugged the coast, offering glimpses of the Pacific’s wild expanse—desert teetering on the edge of the sea.

Northern California: Kayaking Homeward

Crossing back into the U.S., I couldn’t resist a detour to Northern California for a few days of kayaking. The Cal Salmon beckoned with its emerald waters and gentle rapids, a soothing counterpoint to the intensity of Mexico’s rivers. Paddling through redwood-lined banks, I felt the familiar embrace of the West Coast pulling me home.

Home to Washington

Finally, I rolled back into Washington, tires worn and heart full. Three months and 10,000 miles had taken me from desert solitude to deep jungle, from soaring skies to raging rivers. The contrasts—between the U.S. and Mexico, between climates and cultures—wove a tapestry of experiences I’ll carry forever.

Tyler Bradt

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Footnotes

Tyler Bradt is as OG as they come. He's also KAVU to the very core of what it means to live a KAVU lifestyle. Stay inspired and get out there and if you're lucky, you might cross paths with this legendary funhaver!

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