Saturday, June 6, 2009

In Batopilas

Ardy crossing the plank bridge over the Batopilas River. We had just visited the old Hacienda, a mansion built by Alexander Robey Shepherd (from Washington DC, who made a fortune in silver mining) in 1875, now gone to ruins.

From the cool, crisp, pine-scented air and the lakes and forests of Creel, we meandered down into semi-tropical heat, thick vegetation, dripping water, and cockroaches bigger than the ones we met in New Orleans years ago.




One of the oldest buildings in town houses a store, as it has from when first built; just off the main plaza, it is a landmark of sorts.

Batopilas has a history as a mining site, the museum explained the role of Spaniards in building it up...and the decline that has occurred since the mines have closed. An aged aqueduct still serves agriculture in the area. Mangoes were in season, but papaya, oranges, limes, and other tropical fruit are abundant.



Today, the town deals with concerns of every Mexican town...here is the center for Family and Infant Development (DIF)

1 comment:

Doug and Carla Scott said...

What a wonderful adventure - all of it! Can't wait to get together and hear the details. See you in the States!