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This in-line
muzzle-loading rifle supposedly dates from
the Mexican Revolution. The recoil pad, sling, stock (??), and barrel clamp are modern
additions but the action and barrel appear to be original. The action cocks
and releases. The smoothbore barrel is approximately .33 caliber. No
manufacturer's markings are seen anywhere. A lightweight ramrod is carried
underneath the barrel. |
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Closer inspection shows
the working of the action. The action is cocked (as shown) and a cap placed
over the nipple. Pulling the trigger lowers a pin holding the action cocked,
a spring forces the action forward against the nipple, and the gun fires.
Note the barrel is a separate assembly from the action. This gun may have
been made mostly by hand instead of in a factory.
Has anybody else seen one of these and
know any details of their history? If so, please
write us. |
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These goats are kept in
this pen to control what part of the land is fertilized by their droppings.
When the next place needs some goat manure, the poles forming the pen are
easily dismantled and moved. |
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Our cabin
at Durazno was used for a pre-school. Teacher Concepción (age 23) walked in daily from Cerocahui, a trip of an hour and a half since the route is 1000 feet uphill. The kids
(ages 3-5) walk in by themselves from up to 20 minutes away. His normal
class is five but on this day two failed to show up. As part of our support to the
community, we made the cabin available and provided school supplies.
|
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School is in session - Concepción with students Lupita, Mario, and Patricio. Jobs are very
scarce here. Concepción is paid 1000 pesos a month, a small wage. However
the job provides a three-year scholarship to him for every year he teaches.
Since he wants an advanced education and cannot afford it, this is how he
will get it. |
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In years past we invited a
local dance group named, Yawíme, to give an 'baile
folklórico' performances. Run by the energetic Anahí Márquez Rosas, the
troup consisted of local school students who put many
professional groups to shame. kids. The dances portrayed different
regions of Mexico and the costumes are made by hand. Donations went to help
the local school. We say a tremendous amount of personal growth in the
participants during the years Yawíme existed. Unfortunately, complaints from
some near-sighted parents forced its abandonment. The legacy lives on,
however, as these students continue their growth into high school and
smaller groups have formed. |
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Our
ATVs are used them to visit the remote communities
near us where the only access is via wide trails or poor roads. We have also
made coastal trips with them and used them to prepare
road logs for use by other adventurous people. |
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We are frequently asked about rattlesnakes in the mountains -
this one was seen during one of our hikes. For what it
is worth, this species is quite docile (although still venomous).
Rattlesnake sightings are rare and few of our guests are lucky enough to see
any, much less one as beautiful as this. Still, we warn hikers not to step
where they cannot see and not to go reaching under rocks or boulders which
can also provide refuge for such delightful critters such as centipedes,
scorpions and black widow spiders. |
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On the road to Urique,
there is a great overlook into the canyon at Cerro Gallegos. Nearby there
was an equally great outhouse. It has since collapsed and been hauled away
for firewood! As of October 2009 the Gallegos lookout is being completely
redone. |
