14-Jan-2004 -- On January 14, 2004 we visited the confluence of 19N 104W.

This is the fifth year we have had the pleasure of escaping the cold of a western Canada winter to the beautiful beaches and hot sun of Manzanillo Mexico. Our hosts, Janis's sister Trina and Rodney Kramer (Windsor, Ontario) accompanied us on this adventure.

Taking Mexican highway 200 southeasts from Manzanillo to the town of Armeria we eventually located a secondary road (perhaps road 65) running northwest to the village of Jurez. Just north of Armeria we pass a refuse dump but the road is paved and is heading generally in the right direction. The numbers on the GPS slowly approach 19N 104W. At a point approximately 8 kms north of Armeria the numbers start increasing. The confluence is only about half a km west of the road - through a dry wash and somewhere in a heavily overgrown pasture.

We venture out clawing our way through the thick prickly brush, where possible following trails made by the cattle. These beasts where curious as to our mission, oblivious to their proximity to a confluence and even Mad Cow Disease. Being foreigners in this country we had to be alert to scorpions, snakes and perhaps even wild boars.

The confluence was located amidst heavy brush and vines about 7 to 8 feet in height. The brush was covered with thorns, which produced some nasty scratches. One year ago a major earthquake with an epicentre very near here killed 29 people in the town of Tecoman and area. This may be one of the few confluences, which actually moves.

Returning to the car we were soaked in a rainstorm--the first in January in 12 years.