When I got up this morning at 4:30 and looked out the window, snow was gently falling. It was a welcome sight. But when I opened the door and stepped outside into the frigid air, I found that indoors was more to my liking. I decided to skip my walk, which was something that I hadn't done in quite a while

After retreating into my warm house, since I was wide awake, I decided to read the newspaper, while I drank some coffee.

I was feeling pretty good, because my Bell's Palsy was looking better. Also, my mother, who had gone on a driving vacation with three other ladies down to the city of Alamos in Sonora, Mexico, had arrived safely back home. Alamos (which, by the way, means "poplars"-did you know that about Los Alamos her in New Mexico?) is about 375 miles south of the American border.

I had asked Mary Branham, one of the three ladies who accompanied my mother, to write an article about their trip for SFAOL.com. Mary is a published writer, so her description was far better written than anything I could do. The following is taken from her story:

"Alamos is one of Mexico's most perfectly preserved colonial-era towns, and has been declared a National Historical Monument.

"The infamous Diego de Guzman passed through the region in 1533, hunting for Indians to sell as slaves. Silver was discovered in the nearby mountains in 1683, and Alamos was founded the following year. By 1900 it was almost a ghost town. Citizens from the United States (estranjeros) began coming to the town in the 1940s to enjoy the quiet pace and Old World charm, and at once started to restore ruined mansions of former silver barons.

"Expatriates continue to find Alamos attractive because of the colonial charm, smallness, proximity to the border, cleanliness, safety and welcoming local residents. In winter there are more than 250 in the foreign community. Many of them go back north during the rainy summer season, when temperatures rise above 100 degrees.

"Every Saturday morning October through April, there is a house tour. It is run entirely by volunteers, and all of the money goes to help further education for needy children. The charge is $8. The guides are knowledgeable, and visitors enjoy a stroll along cobbled streets and a visit to three stunning houses.

"Alamos is well known among bird watchers. More than 400 species of birds have been seen in the area over a period of a year. In a two-day Christmas count a couple of years ago, 172 species were identified.

"The countryside is also popular for hiking, mountain biking, hunting and horseback riding."

Well, after all my worry, I guess the end result was that my mother and her friends ended up having a great time. Alamos sounds like a great place to visit. I'll have to get down there myself one of these days. It would have to be during the period between October and April for sure, because that humid summer heat would be too much for me.

There are other nice places besides Santa Fe, of course. But visiting them is one thing-living there is something else entirely.

Have a great day.

Stan