Tuesday 8th November 2011…..day of adventure!!!

Had a wonderful sleep and I was packed with clothes, food and drinks and off by 9am for a day of fun and adventure!!

The following is taken from the Register site on the Internet and tells you about the place I am going to!!

Name of place
Real de Catorce (Ghost Town)

What are the natural attractions and / or cultural conditions?
It is a place of natural beauty where you can practice eco-tourism, film tourism, religious.
The most important tourist attractions are the Tunnel Ogarrio (access to the town of Real de Catorce), the Mint, the Palenque, Church of the Immaculate Conception, the mines and the streets are places of singular charm. In addition, the surrounding mountains are very attractive places covered with forests of oak as the Canyon of San Bartolomé and beautiful caves, such as Jaquis and La Alberca. West of the city is the viewpoint and the Cañada de los Catorce.

Where is it located? How do you get to the place?
It is a mining town of San Luis Potosi is located in the highlands of the state. To get there take Highway No. 57 San Luis-Matehuala and continues down the road Cedral-Vanegas, San Luis to Real de Catorce is 254 km
The village is located in the Sierra de Catorce to 2756 meters, one of the mountains highest in the central highlands.

Description of site
Real is a town that combines a semi-abandoned and the desert.
The total area of the municipality is 1906.00 km ² , is composed 112 locations, the main are: Estación Catorce and Wadley. Reaches a height of 2.680 meters over sea level. It was a colonial mining town, is now practically abandoned, is entered through a tunnel called Ogarrio, 2 ½ miles long, leading to his departure a spectacular view of the population, this tunnel was widened, paved and drainage was provided with and lighting throughout.
The main square has some iron railings and baroque farms. The parish is a magnificent neo-classical style building with wide aisles and magnificent altars, with a picture of the Virgin of Guadalupe, with a costly gold and silver under mined the site. But St. Francis is the patron saint of that place.
He had his own mint, where coins were minted for the years 1808 to 1810.

Population and population (urban, rural or ethnic groups)
Had more than 3000 people with buildings that reflect the prosperity achieved. Now reached a population of 11.138 inhabitants and continues to decline, its population is mainly rural, although there are groups that celebrate the Huichol peyote cult, plant abundant in this region. Each year, the Huichol ancestral rites held here, that place after a long journey in a new and mysterious world. For them, in Real de Catorce is Wirikuta sacred mountain, where they find purification.

Does the site is considered a Natural Protected Area? What is category management?. Size and date of decree
Real de Catorce has the protected area Wirikuta ethnicity and cultural heritage site of ecological conservation Wirrárrika ethnic group in the Sierra de Catorce.
It was declared, by administrative decree issued by the Government of San Luis Potosi, as the site historical heritage, cultural and ecological conservation area Wirrárrika ethnic group (Huichol). It also has the protected area Wirikuta ethnic group.
The decree was published in the Official Gazette of the State of San Luis Potosi on September 22, 1994 .*

In case of a PNA which institution the administration (federal, state or local)? And what are the objectives of its creation?
In the decree appointing the State Institute of Culture and the General Coordination of Ecology and Environmental Management of the State itself (now Ministry) to fulfill the purposes of the decree.

Describes the type of ecosystem
It is a natural region where it rains very little during the year, it's hot during the day and at night is very cold, however, a wide variety of animals and plants have adapted to these difficult conditions. The vegetation consists of plants thick, tough skin, which are spongy stems and leaves that have become thorns, but there are very high and resistant grasses.
The animals best adapted to heat and sparse vegetation are: kangaroo rat, the hare, the antelope, fox and prairie dogs. There are also some birds such as golden eagles, quail, and various snakes, scorpions and spiders.

Flora you observed at the site
Consists mainly of scrub microphyll desert cactus, and cactus izotal, a variety of cacti and natural grassland.

Observe wildlife at the site
The mainly includes eagles, halconcillos, wild boar, wolves, badgers and wild cats.

What type of economic activity takes place on site?
They are engaged in agriculture, growing mainly: oat, barley grain, beans, corn silage, corn grain, green chile, tomatoes, green alfalfa, prickly pear cactus and pastures.
A livestock are: cattle, sheep, goats and poultry corral. And beekeeping small hive as they have for sale.
Another sector that operate much is tourism and trade, as there are places full of natural beauty which lend themselves to film footage and religious cults.
still operates, though very little, Mining, manufacturing, construction and electrical industry.

Does ecotourism? What type (adventure, biking, bird watching or landscapes, historical, cultural, etc..), What is it?.
The activity that takes place in this place can be described as adventurous, as are excursions and camps, also practiced walking, mountain biking and motorcycling.

Infrastructure (access, facilities, silk, etc.).
It has railroad communication, federal and private motor carriers of freight, private passenger, tracks, and airport, telephone service, telegraph, postal and courier service.

What problems the site has the environmental impact (s) activity (ies) in place? What other kinds of problems occur? Does the site is contaminated? Why?
Real de Catorce was founded in the mid-eighteenth century, at one time very prosperous and now virtually abandoned, to the extent of saying that it is a ghost town. This town was nearly abandoned because the mines stopped producing, the veins almost sold out, people started to leave the village in search of work. People who still lives there, practice the cult of Saint Francis of Assisi, so in the first ten days of October, thousands of people come on pilgrimages to this place.
worship is also practiced by the Huichol peyote plant abounds in this region.
We believe that if state government does not help this township, probably will end up in ruins and only remember him as a ghost town

 

So Bonita was happy to be on the open road

heading for

All modes of transport

It was about 25 km on good paved road and now I have about 20 km of this!!!!

I don’t have a watch so don’t know how long it took but not only the cobbles slowed me down but also the altitude and the climb in elevation….but Bonita got me here safe and sound!!

The tunnel is an amazing feat of engineering!!!

There is a guard that stops traffic and allows only one direction at a time!!

It was like stepping back in time seeing the small streets, the people and children going about their day..sit back and enjoy the photos!!

A very beautiful church!!

It was great having Bonita because I could go along all the narrow streets without any problems!!

See where I started from!!!

and where I went!!

It was an easier ride back and I arrived at the park at 5.30pm..I drove 130km and I thank Bonita again for impeccable service!!

Needed to stand up and move around so I decided to wash Ramona and do some cleaning and here we are now 9pm…..another fabulous day!!

The plan is tomorrow drive to the old colonial town of Zacatecas and spend 2 days there not sure yet where I will stay I have 3 options and then move onto SMA on Saturday..if I don’t have Internet I will catch up with you all then……take care be safe and happy and tell someone you love them!!!!!!