The mountain area to the west of Mexico City, in the State of Mexico and the State of Michoacan, is famous for hosting millions of Monarch butterflies in the winter months. The story of the migrations of the Monarchs has fascinated us along with many others for some time. We had hoped to visit the sites a couple of years ago but natural disaster (floods) prevented us. This year we were ready to try again, and received excellent advice from friends Charlie and Julie that the Piedra Herreda reserve in the State of Mexico, near Valle de Bravo, is a good place to see the Monarchs. On Friday, January 20, we took a bus from Queretaro to Toluca, and then another bus on to Valle de Bravo. As our friends predicted, we found the town (a Mexican "Pueblo Magico" : "Magic Town") charming. We enjoyed hanging out and wandering around town. These photos offer a glimpse of Valle de Bravo.

• Courtyard of Casa Abierta Courtyard of Casa Abierta
• Don at the chapel, view of Lake Avandaro Don at the chapel, view of Lake Avandaro
• Lois and bougainvillea Lois and bougainvillea
• Lois in Casa Abierta patio Lois in Casa Abierta patio
• Valle de Bravo taxi in Zocalo Valle de Bravo taxi in Zocalo
• Zocalo with San Francisco church in view Zocalo with San Francisco church in view
• Lois in Mercado de Artesania Lois in Mercado de Artesania
• Pedestrian streets in town center Pedestrian streets in town center
• San Francisco de Asis church and zocalo San Francisco de Asis church and zocalo
• Lois in front of Casa Abierta, where we stayed Lois in front of Casa Abierta, where we stayed
• Chapel on hilltop Chapel on hilltop
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