El Palomar Guest Ranch

89… Life in the country, life in the old world…

Approaching Rancho Palomar, Alamos, Sonora, Mexico.  Photo by Anders Tomlinson.

One's world changes depending on where they are in Alamos at that moment.

Flora, fauna, sounds and smells vary as one travels through the barrios, hills, arroyos and surrounding mountains. This is a gentle land that has moments where the forces of nature can change the landscape in an instant. All roads lead somewhere if nothing more than to an end. The road to El Palomar Guest Ranch introduces one to hosts Felipe and Cherisse Acosta, their family and staff. Felipe- sportsman, cattle rancher, wildlife enthusiast, naturalist- shares his enjoyment and skills for bird hunting, fly fishing and horseback riding. Cherisse is a wonderful chef, certified yoga instructor and mountain biker and all-around cowgirl. Both are fluent in English and Spanish. At the end of the road, Rancho El Palomar offers stress-free sanctuary and Sonoran serenity with lodging for 12. Each room has its own fireplace and bathroom. Wakeup to fresh brewed coffee.

A ranch out in the Campo, Alamos, Sonora, Mexico.  Photo by Anders Tomlinson.

Rancho El Palomar Guest Ranch is three miles west of Alamos.

Rancho El Palomar, three miles – 15 minutes west of Alamos, sits on 1200 acres that were originally a land grant to the Acosta family in the 1700’s. In the 1960’s the main ranch house with bricks formed and fired on the ranch. Mexico Norte, a well-known Mexican film was shot in 1976 on the ranch. Here are 360 degree views of Sierra Madre mountain range to the east, all-surrounding foothills, Cacharamba to the west and Sierra de Alamos to the south. Here is a place to watch a moonrise and connect with all things natural. The hunting season runs from the first week in November to the first week of March.

Dove in Alamos, Sonora, Mexico.  Photo by Anders Tomlinson

ooAHH cooo coo coo is a serene song sung by the mourning dove

The grounds surrounding Rancho El Palomar include citrus orchards, a large patio, pool, echo cactus, tropical flower gardens and mesquite trees. There are miles of horseback riding, horses are available, hiking and biking trails to explore on the 1200 acre ranch with mountains, canyons, and grassy fields. There are guides available to take one off the beaten path.

Rancho El Palomar has a well earned reputation as one of the best dove hunting areas. Felipe has hunting grounds throughout the region, so there’s lots of variety. The Sonoran hunting season begins in the first week of November and runs to the first week of March. Speaking of birds, Alamos in the foothills of the mountains between the deserts to the north and the tropical areas to the south is a fantastic bird watching area. At the rend of the road there are opportunities for activities, enjoyment and relaxation. Away from town, life in the gentle valleys and rugged canyons is a step further back in time. It is a place where time is measured by sunrises and sunsets. “ooAHH cooo coo coo”… “ooAHH cooo coo coo”… “ooAHH cooo coo coo”…

For more information visit Rancho El Palomar website.

View from Above

Mt. Álamos is some 6,500 feet above sea level. It towers 5,000 feet above the town of Álamos. It is another world, wild parrots, dry tropical forest, granite and… Up and down is a day’s effort, it is well worth it. To reach the top it is recommended to start hiking early while it is still dark and cool.
Photos and editing by Anders Tomlinson. Music from “Camino Songs” by SonicAtomics.

An introduction to a Short History of Álamos, Sonora, Mexico.

“Here is something Special”, Spanish explorer Vasquez de Coronado noted in 1540 as he headed north, passing by tall white rocks on Alamos de Sierra. This is the opening chapter to “A Short History of Álamos” written, filmed and edited by Anders Tomlinson. Narrated by Bruce Miles. Soundtrack by SonicAtomics and Estudiantina de Álamos.

Here was Silver

Here, seven miles west of Álamos, at 2,500 feet elevation with surrounding mountains as high as 4,700 feet, Aduana has a few hundred people where once there was 5,000. A church, country store, cemetery, a small restaurant-inn, a plaza with a dry fountain in its center are surrounded by the past. Spanish conquistador Vasquez de Coronado camped here during the winter of 1540-41. He was searching for gold in what turned out to be mountains with veins of silver. The mines closed in 1906 after nearly 400 years of continuous mining. La Aduana was the “custom office”, it was all about taxes and royalties.
Photos and editing by Anders Tomlinson. Music from “Camino Songs” by SonicAtomics.

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