Beautiful San Ignacio

Thursday January 24, 2013

Time for another outing and today San Ignacio was our destination.  A nice 60 mile ride and because it is North of Mazatlan we don’t have to ride through all the traffic of the city.  We left the park about 10:45 am along with Frank/Sandi and Dennis /Marilyn in the jeep out the free road with the jeep leading and heading north.

When we left the highway to head towards San Ignacio the first little town that we go through is Coyotitan.  A really pretty little town with beautiful trees and flowering bushes and the local people are always smiling and waving. 

Along the edge of the road….a farmer with his goats.   

Heading north of Coyotitan towards San Ignacio.

Just before the bridge into San Ignacio we stopped so that Eric and I could lead into town as Frank had only been there once before.  Sandi is hiding her “Doo” because when you ride in the back of the Jeep your hair really takes a beating!

The big bridge heading into town. 

The bridge crosses over the Piaxtla River which originates in the Sierra Madre mountains.   A huge river.  There are pictures on the net that show the level of the river right up to the base of the bridge….an unbelievable amount to water. 

In the main square we noted these beautiful old street lamps.

Very intricate. 

We have eaten in this restaurant just off the main square before.  The rear area is a very large dance studio filled with beautiful murals.  I have blogged this before ( Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011) and the pictures of the mural are on that Blog.)

Front of the restaurant.

Streets in San Ignacio.

Looking up the street to the giant Jesus statue.  It is massive.

 

As we wandered up the street after lunch to find the Dulceria (candy store) we happened up the Museum of Culture.  Very interesting.

A very large old loom.  Strung with very old wool.

 

Huge old spinning wheel.

Gun collection.

Horse related gear.

Pottery.

I took this picture of an old picture in the museum.  This would have been the old reaction ferry that ran on cables across the river before they built the bridge.  Depending on the angle of the ferry to the flow of water it will be propelled in either direction across the river.  We know this because we have one just a few miles from us on the Skeena River at Usk, B.C. and it uses no power….just the current.

At high or low water they are unusable and the Usk crossing then changes to an aerial cable car. 

I think this saddle may have belonged to someone famous in San Ignacio.  The horn was inlaid with mother of pearl and there were initials on it as well.  Who was the caballero….who knows.

Next stop the Dulceria where I bought some nice Mexican candy.  Just outside where everyone was waiting this local musician showed up with his trumpet.

As we walked back down the street he serenaded us with a little tune.  He was actually quite good.

 

Back down to the square.  There we noted the dome on the cathedral being painted up by the worker you can see on the top in the centre.  No….there is no safety gear and …..yes he is very high up.  Getting ready for Semana Santa (Easter) at the end of March no doubt. 

This young girl followed us down the street on her bicycle and was all smiles….until I took her picture along with these little guys….and then no one was smiling. 

A really nice day!