Eusebio Francisco Kino is one of the most brilliant, great-hearted and colorful characters in the history of Mexico, but outside of Sonora, he is, perhaps, somewhat forgotten.

“Vive y Camina” is a recently published guide to hiking in Mexico, written by Alejandro González, founder and publisher of Bakpak Magazine and creator of the Bakpak Community of Monterrey, one of the most active groups of senderistas (hikers and trekkers) in northeastern Mexico.

In a previous story titled “Mexican Bats Up Close and Personal,” I made the case that most bats are every bit as clever, loving and loyal as dogs, but we humans don’t give them credit for these characteristics because most of us know them only as fleeting silhouettes in the night sky.

Local canyoneers have known about them for many years, but—until now—most members of the general public in Guadalajara had never seen or experienced the many beautiful waterfalls hidden in this gorgeous canyon, located only 22 kilometers due north of town.

When a hiker decides to spend the night sleeping under the stars, he or she becomes a backpacker and is immediately confronted by a dilemma: How can I get the most comfort at my campsite while carrying the least amount of weight on my back?

The Parque Metropolitano is Guadalajara’s biggest urban park, a carpet of green covering 108 hectares and a favorite site for joggers, cyclists and dog walkers.