Rayones
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rayones is a municipality in the Mexican state of Nuevo León. It is named after the Rayón brothers, who were insurgent heroes of the country's independence achieved in 1821. The population was founded in 1852.
It is also a small village comprised of fourteen small streets, lying in the middle of the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range, northeast of Mexico. Locations surrounding Rayones are the municipalities of Galeana (due south), Santiago (due north), and the state of Coahuila, due west. Rayones marks the beginning of the Zona Ixtlera, the southernmost region of the state.
Accesses to Rayones is difficult. The main highway, coming from Montemorelos, is a challenging path for most drivers. The unpaved highway coming from Galeana is even more risky, as it is a two-way road where only one vehicle fits; plus, it is a dangerous cliff with no protection rail and rocks that represent a burden for drivers.
Rayones, however, is a touristic delight for offroad enthusiasts who travel long distances from the state's capital, Monterrey, crossing the Pilón river, the town's primary water source. Numerous accesses surround the town, where the local hotel accommodates the convoys. The municipality has some interesting landmarks such as La Cebolla (the Onion), which is a pleasurable hilltop.
The extensive pecan tree plantation in the region brings prosperity to town, making pecans the main product commercialized by locals. The traditional 'Feria de la Nuez' or Pecan Fair is held annually as a tourist attraction and a merchant exchange, with traditional dances and exhibitions.
