TRIP TO OATMAN ON ROUTE 66

Today was a trip on Route 66. Not so good two lane old highway through the desert and into the  mountains. It brings back memories of how the highways were when we first drove across country in 1959.We visited a tourist town by the name of Oatman that was a mining town in 1906 - mining gold. After WWII it was pretty much mined out and the miners left the area leaving the burros that had carried the ore from the mine and hauled supplies. The burros decendants are walking around demanding hay which is sold in the very well preserved old buildings. Lots of smelly burro dung in the streets but those animals are endearing. Following children who have the hay - opening the bags themselves and being a bit of a nuisance with their friendliness. Of course, they are wild and so you have to be careful because they will bite and kick. Another beautiful day about 65 degrees and going to be a bit cooler tonight. We ate expensive bad food. And drove back to see the Oregon vs. Ohio State game.
I am really impressed by all of the landscaping along the streets, highways and all of the homes. They use all of the desert plants, rocks of all sizes and just make a great eco friendly area. There really is not a lot of grass so that means that the golf courses can use some. I’ll check that out tomorrow when we play.

Now we will root for the Ducks.

 

OLD MINER

MAZAMITLA AND MORE

Look at the photo. Does that look like Mexican architecture? It looks very alpine - because it is alpine. Mazamitla is located in the mountains south of Chapala at an elevation of about 7200 feet which is about 2200 feet higher than Ajijic.

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We took a day trip from Ajijic, stopping by a wonderful little city by the name of Manzanilla de la Paz. That city was surprising all around. Bustling with activity. A beautiful square and church but ... the most interesting aspect to me was the people. Many were very light skinned and with light hair. The men were taller than I had seen in other villages with broad shoulders. It was striking and very noticeable. I only wish that I could have talked with some of them or that our guide had known more about these people. There are beautiful people all over Mexico and these were no exception.

We learned the names of two of the largest trees - Indian Laurel - and Zalate which can be confused with a Ficus but has some fig like fruits. They grow huge and get very old. Okay, Mazamitla - The guide drove the car way up the mountain. Most of the roads were good, some places a little bumpy. At one point we got out and walked among the evergreen trees. There are three different kinds of pine trees and the air there was fragent with pine.

Around the beautiful town square were buildings made of wood, two stories with balconies that gave them an alpine (think Leavenworth, WA) look. Very surprising. Interesting too, were all of the children who were either getting out of school or going to school, who were all bundled up! We were very warm and sitting in the shade. Obviously, these people are used to extreme heat in the summer and cold in the winter. One of the young girls in her school uniform of a short skirt and high socks and sweater was almost as tall as Pete. Again very attractive people and a town that is obviously prosperous.

We (some of us) slept on the ride back but we sure enjoyed our tour.