Monarchs in Mexico February 2020

In February 2020, I received an invitation to travel to the Mountains of Mexico on a nature tour of the overwintering Monarch Butterflies. I was like YES, YES, YES I must go! So I planned and researched and knew the decision to travel to Mexico was right for me.

Here’s a little background knowledge of why I had to go…

I stayed at home with my children as they grew-up, as they departed one by one I was pondering and finding myself “beyond imom” as I like to say. Yes, though I will always be a Mom but it was time to find my passion beyond- imom.

I went back to nature, I found my passion in Butterfly Gardening. (Little did I know it would bring me to explore the Mountains of Mexico to find Monarch Butterflies who migrated there for their winter months.) My backyard garden started out small with a focus on Monarch Butterflies, Monarch Caterpillars, Monarch Host and nectar plants. I researched and even took a Butterfly 101 class to learn the anatomy, habits and habitats and more. I have grown my Butterfly Garden throughout my landscape and have just expanded my fence line, even started selling milkweed plants that I’ve grown from seeds.I also host many different Butterflies and their Caterpillars!

But that’s another story to share, for now let me take you on my journey to Mexico. I joined a tour group from a Butterfly Organization that I belong to, we explored the Mountains of Mexico where the Monarch Butterflies migrate over 3,000 miles annually to find a place to live and survive over winter. We explored 3 different Butterfly Sanctuaries and traveled by SUV over 1,000 miles!

I met my tour group at the Airport in Morelia, Mexico and that’s where we started our Monarch journey. Our tour guide picked us up at the airport and drove us to our Hotel. On the way, we saw people in costumes, a parade with carnival feel…..this was a celebration of the Carnaval which happens across Mexico annually in season of lent.

We had a delicious Mexican lunch at a local cafe and enjoyed people watching, entertainment and learning about the culture.

After we got settled in hotel, we took a walk around the city and had a fabulous outdoor dinner across from the Morelia Cathedral and center city square. We were in the center of Carnival entertainment and family fun. We had a drop by dinner serenade by a local band at our dinner table.

We even enjoyed fireworks over the cathedral.

After a long travel day we headed off to bed for a well needed sleep to prepare for our week. Follow my next post with more about my Monarch Journey to the Butterfly Sanctuaries in Mexico.