Visit to Alamos, Sonora, Mexico Nov 2012

Right now Bill is out front feeding tortillas to the sea gulls. They wait for him to come outside. The first day we were here there were only a couple of them, now there must be 100.

The sky is actually blue today with puffy white clouds. Except right by us there is one gray cloud that keeps drifting over us and spitting on us. The spitting stops and The Driver runs the windshield wipers to clean it off the windshield. About fifteen minutes later back it comes. So now we have a drippy windshield. We’ll wait until it goes away completely or decides to really rain.
Two RVs came in yesterday afternoon. One couple we’ve met here before.
I was playing around on the Internet yesterday and found this “The city and municipality of Huatabampo derive their current name from the Mayo language, “willow by the water,” from the words “huata” which means willow, and “bampo” which is water. When pito is added to a word it kind of means smaller. Don’t know what happened to all the willows haven’t seen any just palm trees. A lot of towns around here have bampo in their names.
Too many clouds lately so there’ve been no sunsets. Maybe tonight – I hope.
Yesterday we decided to take the drive inland to Alamos. It’s about a 65 mile drive. We thought it might be warmer there than the cool windy beach. And it was – 85 degrees there.
We passed this guy just after leaving the campground. Talk about a big load – poor pickup. It wasn’t tied or strapped down or anything. I don’t know how he made it over the topes.

Going through Navojoa we saw lots and lots of trucks selling ears of corn. Dozen for 20 pesos. About US$1.50. Didn't buy any cause it really isn't sweet like we are used to.

On the long stretch of the road to Alamos we saw something we’ve never seen before. Lots and lots of men walking towards Alamos. From Navojoa to Alamos it is 33 miles - up hill. We later found out they weren’t going all the way to Alamos but to La Aduana a tiny village up in the hills.

As we passed the road leading up to La Aduana we saw crowds of people, police and cars.  Will write about what was going on in next blog.

Alamos is a designated Pueblo Mágico. And all Pueblo Mágicos must have an arch. This is the arch for Alamos.

Our main reason for going to Alamos was to check out the RV parks there as we are thinking is we come back this way we’ll stop in Alamos instead of Huatabampito. The first park we came to, Real de los Alamos RV, is basically out in an open field. There are full hookups and lots of room. But not very inviting. A lady finally came out of the house and told us it is 200 pesos a night.
We went a little closer and checked out Dolisa Motel and Trailer Park.

It was much nicer but small to get around in [but we could even get the Alfa in there if we wanted to.] Again full hookups and WiFi.  300 pesos a night. So if we do come back here that is where we’ll stay. There is a 3^rd park here but to reach it you have to drive right through town. Some corners we barely make in the Jeep – so didn’t even go there.
Alamos was settled in 1685. When the streets were used by pedestrians, horses and maybe small carriages. It was a silver mining town. When the silver was no longer mined the town almost disappeared. Right after WWII the North Americans discovered the area and began restoring some of the big houses. Now it has quite a population of Nortes. And certain times of the year the homes are open to tour.
One of the not quite so narrow streets, except when there are parked cars.

And then it got really narrow.

See the way the sidewalks are built up from the streets. Helps prevent flooding during rainy season.
Some of the buildings around the Plaza de Armas. Lots of arches. We’ve eaten at the restaurant here a couple of times. The stone steps are all worn out from hundreds of years of traffic.

I like the trash cans in the Plaza. Behind them is the kiosk or gazebo.

It’s interesting in that its ceiling is beautifully decorated with paintings of musical instruments.

On one side of the square sits the church the Templo de la Purisima Concepcion built in 1757. It has kind of a pinkish coloring. Very pretty.

A closer look at the main entrance and it’s baroque façade.

Today it was closed. And the side of it.

The tourist information center is located on another side of the plaza. This man is just going about his daily business.

We stopped to look inside a newly opened restaurant. The interior of it has not been restored. Was an old home with a patio and a covered walkway. Lots of columns.

The exterior of yet another building around the plaza. The architecture and the colors are so interesting.

Just looking down one of the streets leading to the Plaza. Bright colors, restored and unrestored buildings.

Walked up the street towards the Municipal Palace. It is brick and was built in 1899

Every January it is the main stage of the Festival Alfonso Ortiz –it is a musical cultural event attended by people from all over the world. (side note – notice the color of the house next door.)

Standing in the doorway of the Municipal Palace.

I love this face.

A lot of the buildings are very nice and newly painted in front (a mother-in-law paint job – only what she can se.) but the sides are left untouched. This one shows many different periods of additions and repairs.

Back in the car heading towards El Mirador – the view point. We’ve never been there in all the times we visited here. There is a house for sale. The price might be cheap but the restoration probably won’t. If you are restoring a building here it must keep it’s original style and look. Inside you can do what you want but outside it has to be original.

Going up the cobblestone to Mirador.

A panoramic view of the town.

Looking way out of town to the arch!

The church and Plaza de Armas.

This is a private home that has been restored. From the street all you would see would be a big blank wall with a fancy – probably – door and windows. Maybe colorful plants.

If you’d like more pictures and narrative about Alamos you can put “Alamos” in the search bar on the right. It will search my blog and the web page.

While we were in Alamos we talked to one of the tourist guides and he told us about the event that was going on in La Aduana – where all the men were walking to.

Will blog about it next.