Hiking anyone?
The northern shore of Lake Chapala has been called a paradise because of its ideal climate and beautiful environment, but for those of its inhabitants who enjoy hiking, this area is paradise twice over.
You jump out of bed, walk a few blocks uphill and there you are at a trail head which takes you straight into a network of footpaths both easy and difficult, eventually leading to peaks offering spectacular views of the lake that residents and visitors on the shoreline never see.
Many kilometers of those trails have been laboriously traced, described and mapped by a non-profit organization called Senderos de Mexico (Trails of Mexico), an organization that is dedicated not only to cataloging Mexico’s hiking trails, but also signposting and maintaining them.
After years of on-trail research, Senderos de Mexico has published the 144-page “Trail Guide for Chapala, Ajijic, Jocotepec, and Ixlahuácan de los Membrillos.” The guide contains 100 of color photos, as well as 26 maps featuring contour lines, estimates of hiking time and levels of difficulty. Loose versions of all the maps are also included in a pocket.
The Trail Guide measures 12x17 centimeters (less than 5X7 inches) and weighs only 142 grams (five ounces), small enough to slip into your back pocket, yet packed with useful features like how to find the trail head, GPS coordinates, as well as a detailed description of the trail and where to make crucial turns.
Reporter columnist John Pint had hoped to be present at the May 10 presentation of Senderos de Mexico’s Chapala area “Trail Guide,” but his transportation was hit by a bus on the way to Chapala. Luckily no one suffered any serious injury. Pint has written about this guide and Senderos de Mexico various times in this publication (most of the words above come from his columns). Now you can purchase it at the Guadalajara Reporter office located in Plaza Bugambilias in Ajijic, open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. as well as at Diane Pearl Gallery, Santa Margarita 23 in Riberas del Pilar, open Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Money received from book sales goes for trail signs, trail maintenance and programs which Senderos carries out in indigenous communities: training people in everything from how to fix a bicycle to how to become a trail guide.
Armed Forces Day
ANAVETS Mexico Unit 19 will hold a celebration on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 20, 1 p.m. with a Spring Fiesta and Dance at Mama’s Musical Bar, Gonzalez Gallo 86B in San Antonio Tlayacapan. All you can eat tacos are provided by Tacarbones Tacos and Old Seven Restaurant. Entertainment by Charlie Cook Band. Tickets are 300 pesos.
Open Circle
Yolanda Martinez will present “Cruz Roja” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, May 21, 10:30 a.m. at the Lake Chapala Society.
What is the role of the Cruz Roja in our community? When should you contact the Cruz Roja and what should you expect? Many of us may have had exposure to a hometown chapter of the Red Cross growing up, maybe even as a volunteer. Come hear how Cruz Roja Chapala serves our community and how they may help you in a time of need.
Registration is strongly encouraged. Reserve at opencircleajijic.org.
Dog adoption day
Bone Voyage is holding a dog adoption day at Tobolandia Dog Park, Thursday, May 25, 10 a.m. to noon. The dog park is open Tuesday to Sunday, and Wednesdays tickets are half price, only 25 pesos.
Auto registration
Attorneys Solbes & Solbes will give a presentation on auto registration in Mexico, Thursday, May 25, 2:30 p.m. at Mamas Musical Bar. This is an ANAVETS Mexico Unit 19 sponsored event, and is open to the public.
Memorial Day
American Legion Post 7 will hold a Memorial Day service Monday, May 29, noon at the foreign residents part of the cemetery located at Calle Venustiano Carranza 26 in Chapala. A luncheon of pit-roasted pig and trimmings will be served at the Legion, Morelos 114, Chapala, 3 p.m. Social hour begins 2 p.m. and live music by Old Souls, Charlie Cook and Daniel Cordero begins 2:30 p.m. Tickets, 350 pesos, are available at the Legion. No pets.