Over the past 2 months, we have spent a lot of time in urban locations. In fact, most of our time has been in cities, walking on hard sidewalks, sometimes struggling with air pollution, surrounded by honking horns and barking dogs. Today was a nature day, and what we didn't realize in advance, was something we so desperately needed.
We took a short Uber ride to Charco del Ingenio Botanical Park, just outside the city. We have always loved exploring the desert, and its flora and fauna, and this park truly delivered. Some amazing natural plants. A large body of water with a ton of birdlife. It was the perfect morning simply walking in nature.
There is a dam that holds in the water, which we are allowed to walk across to access the other half of the park. We found the coolest structure that was built to study the stars. We don't know what it was, but we loved walking through it.
Further into the park is an old hacienda. This entire park used to be an industrial area that utilized water power to run factories. It was converted to this beautiful park when the industry moved out. The hacienda is a ruin from a long-lost home.
Back on the other side of the park, we were shocked to find a deep valley, cut by the water, and home to a different set of plants and trees, as well as an ancient structure that held a water wheel.
At the edge of the park, the view down to San Miguel is expansive.
Walking back to the Visitor Center, we found lots of modern art, sculptures, and a very cool Observatory that had a hole in the ceiling that allowed the sunlight to come through and let you know what time it is.
Standing at the edge of the park, looking down to the city, it did not look too far to walk. And it was't far. But it was all down hill, and some parts were very steep. Our feet were throbbing when we finally made it down to the city.
We grabbed a quick lunch, and decided to head home, with a couple quick detours. First stop was the Instituto Allende, which has some cool murals and a great art gallery.
But in a hidden corner of the building, there is a large room that frames the city beautifully, with one of the best views of the city we have seen so far.
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