Log #44, Alamos
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Updated December 22nd
Exploring a Colonial Town
253 km drive from San Carlos
to Alamos; mostly four-lane, two toll booths (~US$5 each),
NO
checkpoints southbound (two going north, but we weren't stopped).
Team SolMate is considering settling on land for a while longer...but where? Before
retirement, the location decision had always been made for us, we lived where we worked, period. But now
that we're footloose, the world has opened up.
A little town in the south of Sonora was recommended as one possibility, so we poured kitty
litter into an extra litter box, left the boys extra food and water, and headed the van south for Alamos.
Arriving Sunday afternoon when the Alamos streets were busy, we parked the van and walked
around until we found Doña Elia's, una casa particulare, a private home renting rooms. The guest
rooms were blocked off from the main house and outside entrances had been added...in the alley. For
$US30/night, the alley was okay with us.
Room entrance at Doña Elia Salazar's.
For our thirty bucks we got three beds, a TV, and a full bathroom with a crucifix above the door. We should have paid better attention to that crucifix. Its strategic positioning became obvious when the tired old toilet required a run to the main house for a plunger.
Due respect to dental hygiene....
shoulda been paying our respects to that cross!
Alamos, founded in 1684, boomed when its silver mines were producing. Huge mansions were
built, but everything went to pot when the mines closed. In 1946 the first foreigner began
snapping up the old properties and restoring them. Many buildings have been restored, but many
abandoned buildings remain around town, begging for care and feeding.
We hiked around the town for three days - the following shots are representative of what we
saw.
From our room's window.
Town center from El Mirador (Viewpoint).
Church on Plaza de Armas.
The old and the reclaimed, two blocks east of the church.
Plaza de Armas' kiosk surrounded
by porticoed mansions in various stages of repair.
Kiosk ceiling of painted leather panels.
Looking into the courthouse courtyard.
Colonial ruins.
A house for sale with carved wooden columns and twig ceilings.
The outskirts of Alamos, along Arroyo Aqua Escondida.
Burro following a rancher home.
Crowding in the 400-year-old cemetery.
Restored cornices on house for sale.
Glossy blue tile.
Stick gate.
Green door.
Plank gate with original iron fittings.
Bougainvilleas were in bloom all over town.
The feeling of the town was folksy and friendly. It would be a nice place to live. MJ, however, thought it was a bit too isolated (isolated from what, she's not sure). Stan didn't get that feeling, at all, and is ready to move the menagerie there....
