Some years ago, Alice Schenker wrote a six-page account of the trip that she and Don took from New York to Mexico and San Francisco in a 1941 Buick in 1957.

Kerouac and Cassady and Ginsberg had all driven to and lived in Mexico.  Kerouac writes beautifully about Mexico in On the Road, but the Schenkers would not have known that writing because On the Road was not yet published when they set off.

In 1960, Kerouac published Tristessa, a novel about a drug-addicted Mexico City prostitute, real name Esperanza Villanueva.  Kerouac was immersed in the study of Buddhism during his relationship with her.

William Burroughs had several stays in Mexico.  In 1951 he shot and killed his wife in Mexico, perhaps as part of a William Tell reenactment gone wrong.

The point being – the Beats found Mexico inspiring and stimulating.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, here is what Alice wrote about their trip:

How glad I am that Alice wrote these six pages!