Morelia

Guess I forgot to mention Morelia.
From Patzcuaro I drove to that great capital, but did not stay. Did not even drive into the historic center. Noted that, like every large city these days, it had just a bit of air pollution.
In Patzcuzaro I had noted that a rear shock on the Astro was hanging loose and figured I'd have it repaired in Morelia. Spotted a likely place and pulled in. The shock was soon well taken care of at a cost of P100. The arbitrage person dealing with the mechanics was a woman in her late twenties or early thirties. Another woman of the same age range handled customers and billing. Between these two the place was well run with happy mechanics and customers.
Job might have cost me $60 in the States.
Drove my good shocks to Ciudad Hidalgo.

Erendira

Erendira is, touristically speaking, on the Ruta de la Salud (Route of Health) in the Pais de la Monarca (Country of the Monarch Butterfly). Speaking in more normal language, it is in the state of Michoacan on the road between Ciudad Hidalgo and the town of Ucareo on Mex highway 15. On that road, the health route, are many hot water spas and Erendida does not have the best of those waters, but I think it has the most beautiful location among many very pretty locations. Still there are thoes who find the Laguna Larga area at the northern end of the route just as beautiful.
Between Erendidra and Laguna Larga you will find several spas with a variety of services and amenities. The ugliest of them is Los Azufres. The waters and mud of Los Azufres are reputed to be the most curative.
I took a "cabin" at Erendira. The cabin was an architectural delight and nicely furnished and decorated. It had two big bedrooms, one with a king size bed and the other with two full size beds. There was also a day bed in the living room. There was no TV but there was a large screen DVD player. There was no kitchen but there was a nice refrigerator and micro wave. There was also a lovely central fireplace. I got all this for P300 with the peso at about 13 everything taken into account. You might have to pay P500 for it especially on a weekend or holiday. However, if you don't have a reservation on those days you probably won't get it at all.
Food at the restaurant is decent, but a bit expensive for me at $5 - $6 dollars for a complete meal.
By the way there is always someone to get a fire roaring in the fire place and to start your chosen movie for you.

More info.:
http://www.turismomichoacan.bob.mx/
http://www.michoacan-travel.com/

Sitting on a Veranda

I'm in Ciudad Hidalgo, Michoacan waiting to have some washing and ironing done. Cd Hidalgo has good air quality and is surrounded by forest of mostly pine. It is also close to some hot water spas I have visited on earlier trips.
I'm in what was typical of high end motels in Mexico. There is beautifully kept landscaping and gardens. It is a one story affair in the form of a long "U." In the center surrounded by decorative walks is a long reflecting pool.
Nearest the closed end of the "U" is a two story 'bandstand.' On the bottom story is displayed the ruins of an old horse-drawn wagon.
I'm sitting on a veranda which is about 30 feet wide and very long. I look from the comfortable cool of the veranda onto the the fresh sunlit scene before me.
The rooms are just okay. Still the bedding was a bit 'upscale' and it was quiet here last night. Silence is golden and I am grateful for it. In the back there is a swimming pool growing a pretty light green algae in its low water.