Well, we made the mountain trip today.  About 50 miles total 20 miles of really rough road up and back.  The Beast suffered her first battle scar.  Nothing terrible but the driver side running board is no longer shaped exactly as it was at the factory.  Sort of matches the front bumper.  It was solid clouds and towards the top we were high enough in the clouds that the rain lessened.  No real views and an intense driving experience.  When we finally got back to paved road it seemed as though we had a new car.  Good test, bad day for it.  Tomorrow we are off to La Pesca on the Atlantic Coast, then Oaxaca on the Pacific in a day or so.  The Beast is still performing above expectations and we are falling in love with her.  It's still raining but the forecast is for better weather in the next few days.  We are both well and confidence is growing.  It's been a good week for getting a sense of things.  At some point soon we will completely unpack and repack The Beast for easier access to things we need most often.  No need for the first aid kit yet, unlike some weddings I've been to.