Sunset in the mountains

The evening and night skies here at Hacienda Contreras are very special.  The moon and stars seem closer, and I suppose they are -- compared with our sea level view at home.  The elevation is over 6000 feet.  When we visit in winter the nights are cool (once we had frost) while each day the temperature reaches the mid- to high 20s Celcius.  We've never seen rain here.  It happens in those other seasons when we are enjoying the Canadian variety at home, but is quite rare in winter.

The high elevation naturally affects the vegetation.  If we drive past we soon come to a pine forest, startling after the palm trees and sub-tropical plants we have just left.  The town of Mazamitla, 10 km from the park, is a Pueblo Magico.  The government of Mexico has to date designated about 50 Magic Villages.  The towns are   outstanding for some combination of natural beauty, cultural riches, or historical relevance.  One of the special characteristics of Mazamitla is the use of wood as a building material, something most unusual in this country.