Hike Around The Presa San Miguel de Allende

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Sunday morning we decided to take an early morning walk around the presa.  We had house-sat there three times.  Good times at that house with the two dogs Sky and Bonnie.  The views from the house over the lake were impressive even though during certain times of the day the water lilies would take over the waters.

We drove over to Los Frailes and parked near the house-sit.  Our friends were probably not up that early and we don't like to surprise visit people without previous notice.  As we walked along we recounted our times there.  We noticed that there were no hot air balloons this weekend.  Not sure yet what is going on with that.  I remembered though the time I was on the walk by the presa and the hot air balloon had an emergency landing right behind me.

As you can see, the presa is now becoming an arid wasteland.  The rains should be coming soon but I don't know how long the city will be able to hold out.  Water also comes from the underground aquifers but there aren't enough wells and the city doesn't seem to be doing much about it.  I could be wrong but looking at the lake it isn't very promising.

The neighbors in the area are taking their animals out there to feed on the grasses and dead water lilies.  Here are some sheep taking a respite from the sun under a tree that is usually partially covered by water.

It wasn't the most exciting hike but it was important to get out and go somewhere.  We want to get around to the other side this next weekend.  On the way back we came across this mural (damaged by graffiti) of a train depicting the revolution.  In the engineer's cab, there is a catrina taking charge and you can see the prisoners in the picture below.

Not sure why this sculpture sits here on this lot next to the mural but it has been there for a few years.

Later that day, we were out and about and saw this wonderful rainbow.  It must have rained up in the hills although we only had a few drops while driving around town.

This is the libramiento near our house.  You can see how fast the city has grown.  With the severe drought here in Mexico it's a shame that the city continues to give building permits to large gated neighborhoods that require water.  That said, even in Monterrey, you hear no talk of composting toilets and water catchment systems. We are considering both of those options for our places in SMA and Monterrey.  It surely won't do any harm.

We drove to Queretaro on Monday to do some shopping at the Home Depot.  While there, we took a couple of hours to walk around the centro area and the city market.  We will be going back soon I'm sure and to Guanajuato and Peña de Bernal.