Durango

Durango is the capital of the state of Durango with a population of 654,000 plus citizens. I was founded in 1563 by the Spanish Basque explorer Francisco de Ibarra. We spent a very enjoyable day exploring the city.

Beautiful obelisk near the central plaza.

A church that had been renovated for its' 450 year anniversary .

Many movies have been filmed in this area, several of them westerns. There is a street with stars and statues honoring some of the actors who created movies here.

Me and Kevin Costner

Me and the Duke

We spotted a taco stand down by the market with a many patrons. We figured it would be good.

Tacos Barbacoa, delicious.  

Everyone enjoying their lunch

The Cathedral Basilica of Durango completed in the middle of the 18th century. Note the modern, not period correct clock on the right bell tower.

Very colorful neighborhood on a distant hill

We rode the gondola up to the top of a high hill. 

Interesting tower. No idea what its function is.

When one goes up, one must come down. We decided to walk down from the hill top to a park below.

It was Sunday and many families were enjoying a day in the park.

There were many types of carnival games

This is an internet cafe bus permanently parked in the park

I saw this tree while walking back to the central plaza to catch our ride back to camp

Setting up a Christmas village

Waiting for our ride to arrive.

Fun Fun Fun

Balneario San Juan

During our visit to Durango we stayed at the Balneario San Juan Waterpark. We were drycamping, but Edrado told us the family is planning to add hook-ups for next year.

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Serenity arrived with a very distinctive thud. We parked in a large, flat, firm lot containing small water hazards. Notice the almost imperceptible wet spot in the center of the picture below. Though out the area they had planted small seedings that were well watered. Think soft mud holes.

Serenity found one of these hidden holes and sunk right in. Everyone pitched in and we had her extracted in short order.

It is a very nice water park that we had virtuously to ourselves. We met one couple from Germany that had shipped their motorcycle to Halifax Canada and were 14 months into their trip downs to Panama where they would ship their bike home.

Denise swam laps in this tepid pool

The rest of us enjoyed the hot thermal pool. 

One of the sources of the thermal water. 

A beautiful bird outside my rig.

Tomorrow Durango

Pancho Villa Hacienda

Pancho Villa's hacienda is located in the hamlet of La Coyotada. Located near the banks of the Rio San Juan, the house is a notable example of the popular architecture of the Porfiriato era. The house was strategically built to coexist with the local climate, as wells to the proper illumination and ventilation, as it is assumed with its L-shape form. He lived here from 1920 to 1923.

No furnishing remain, but many photos cover the walls

Several historical studies suggest that Villa's assassination was politically motivated and was planned by Plutarco Elias Calles and General Joaquin Amaro with the consent of President Alvaro Obregon.

Villa game the estate the same energy he had in the war. A system of collective work and even the men of his escort worked. Villa working on the anvil. 

Four gringos waiting for a parade

Great patina

A celebration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception

In life, Villa helped fashion his own image as an internationally known revolutionary hero, starring as himself in Hollywood films and giving interviews to foreign journalists.