San Miguel de Allende is located in the far eastern part of Guanajuato, Mexico and is a part of the Bajío region.

The city lies 170 miles (274 km) from Mexico City, 53 miles (86 km) from Querétaro, and 60 miles (97 km) from the state capital of Guanajuato.

Before the arrival of the Spanish in the early 16th century, San Miguel was an indigenous Chichimeca village called Izcuinapan. Then a small chapel was built near Izcuinapan by Juan de San Miguel, when he arrived, who decided to dedicate the Spanish town to the Archangel Michael.

The modern name of this city comes from two separate persons. The first person is the friar Juan de San Miguel. The second person is Ignacio Allende, a martyr of Mexican Independence, who was born in a house facing the central plaza of this location.

When the Spanish arrive in the early 16th century, they built forts and then tried to enslave women, men and children to work in the silver mines. This, however, created a hostile environment with the indigenous Chichimeca people, who began to defend their ancestral lands from the invasion by Spanish soldier and colonizers. In 1551, the Guamare tribe of the Chichimeca confederation attacked the Spanish military posts and settlements and due to a lake of water source the Spanish were defeated causing them to move of the area.

In 1555, a new mission and outpost was established near two fresh water springs and had terrain better suited for defense.

San Miguel de Allende was also a critical epicenter, both for military and for commercial during the historic Chichimeca War (1550–1590) when the Chichimeca Confederation defeated the Spanish Empire in the initial colonization war. Today, an old section of the town is part of a proclaimed World Heritage Site, attracting thousands of tourists and new residents from abroad every year.

By the mid 1700s, the city reached its pinnacle of growth, which was when most of the large mansions, palaces and churches were constructed. It was during this time that this town was one of the most important and richest settlement in New Spain and had a population reaching 30,000 or more.

At the beginning of the 1900s, the town nearly became a ghost town because of the Spanish flu pandemic. Later, foreign artist moved in, began art and cultural institutes which gave the town a reputation of which attracted more artists and foreign art students. Since then, the town has attracted a significant number of foreign retirees, artists, writers and tourists, causing the economy to shift from agriculture and industry to catering to outside visitors and residents.

During my journey on in 2010, I was to cross the Transcontinental Volcanic mountains on my way south to the Pacific coast of Mexico. The photo story of this journey on begins just below, but to read the complete journal entries of my travels in 2010, please Come Join the Journey in Quire Five, The Quest for Mariposa

For the specific travel story associated with this photo gallery, Please Come Join the Journey in Chapter Five, Part Two.

Upon leaving this morning, just to the west of Monterrey, I cross into the state of Coahuila. Driving further south, I enter the state of San Luis Potosi taking the bypass around each of the cities. Somewhere in this part of Mexico I cross the latitude call the Tropic of Cancer.

Soon after, I begin driving on the back highway to San Miguel. I notice how the stores along the street are quite narrow and often have a residence above.

I arrive at San Miguel de Allende in the state of Guanajuanto just before sunset. Immediately, I notice that from where I came in, it is all down town.

I must have been on a high mountain plateau or something because when I began driving into the city, it quickly became a down hill drive. From where I first begin driving in San Miguel, I am atop a high ridge looking down into the city, and across a wide flat valley with mountains on the distant horizon.

This morning I awake a little later than normal, the sun had just begun to rise and then I began to explore San Miguel. I do not have a map and the GPS only shows the main through ways so I just begin driving. In no time I come to a large park, find a spot for the jammer, begin walking through the park and find a bathroom.

Then, while walking along on the cobblestone walkway, I notice there is a water faucet not very far from where the jammer is parked and get an idea. I walk back to the jammer, get out my bucket, fill it with water and begin washing.

Once finished cleaning, I continue to explore this park where I find beautiful brick and stone walk ways as well as gardens all over the park together with water fountains, even a playground for the kids, a winding creek complete with a foot bridge, several pieces of artwork, and well crafted stairways.