Both towns are found off Highway 81 on Highway 104 in upstate, New York. But, I have to 'fess up right away. There’s really not much to see in the Town of Mexico (population 10,000 people) and less in the nearby Hamlet of Texas (population 200 people) but if you explore a bit, you’ll make your own adventures. After all, isn’t the best part of any journey the people you meet? It’s these new experiences that make life exciting. I believe we just can’t wait for excitement we have to plan for it and even leave room for spontaneity.

I came across Mexico quite by accident while travelling Highway 81 north in New York State to Lake Placid. The temptation was just too great and I needed a break. My first stop was to fill up at Mexico’s only gas station. Here I learned the town’s only Mexican restaurant burned down several years ago and was never re-built. Darn it, I had a hankering for Mexican food!

Rita Anderson who works at Mexico’s only flower shop, Mexicali Rose, just up the road from the station says there just wasn’t enough business to keep it going. But business was booming at the flower shop on the Easter weekend when I visited. It seems Mexicans like their flowers.

Rita told me no one is quite sure how Mexico got its name but some believe it was as a result of a visit to Mexico by one of the original settlers. They liked the name and it stuck. What’s the best thing about living in Mexico? Rita with a smile says, “The sense of community. Every body knows everybody. You can go to the store and forget your money and be told you can come back later to pay”.

Wandering through Mexico’s downtown (there’s about 20 stores) is like a walk in the past. The street is charming where Century old homes and buildings co-exist with the new. One of the other highlights of the town is the Mexico Central School built in 1936 with a beautiful slate roof at the end of Main Street. Rita brags, “The basketball team just became the second in the state”. The Mexico Fire Hall on Main Street is not too shabby either.

Just as I was to leave town Rita suggested I visit Texas. Ya right .No it was true, the Hamlet of Texas (there’s no sign pointing the way and only one small sign proclaiming you’ve arrived in Texas when you get there) was a five minute tree-lined, hilly ride outside of Mexico.

This blink of an eye community can best be described as rustic.Very rustic. People who like to fish will love it here. To capture the feel of the hamlet have a meal at Schneider’s Little Salmon Hill Restaurant. You can’t miss it, but it’s hard to find the front door. It’s the only one in Texas and chances are Tammy Schneider will be there to wait on you. She’ll also cook your meal and if you want a beer, you guessed it, she’s the bar tender. If you decide to stay over for the night try Manning’s Motel and Café just outside of Texas on the Salmon River. Dee Manning tells me she and her husband have been operating the cabins for the past 21 years and the salmon fishing is always great. Sounds like a fish story to me.

There’s no tourism information centre to call, just take 90 East to Highway 81 north and exit at Highway 104 west. Have a great time partner.