|
|
23. Tala’s Fairy Footstools
See them before another fence goes up!
By John and Susy Pint, Photos ©2008 by John & Susy Pint
|
|
|
|
Not to be undone, however, we did manage to find one hill (unencumbered for the moment by any barbed wire or padlocked gates) where we could rest our posteriors on the famous Fairy Footstools while contemplating the curious scenery around us.
The Footstools look exactly like small tree stumps, but, of course, are made of volcanic rock. Everywhere there are low, natural “walls” which are either straight or curved and which, for some reason, often occur in pairs.
At this
time of year (the beginning of the rainy season), the hills are carpeted with
short grass which makes for easy walking and an enticing environment. It’s
interesting to note that the rock-covered hills on both sides of the road to
Rancho Aguacates are not being used by local rancheros for anything at all. If
they were purchased by the state of Jalisco or the municipality of Tala, the
townspeople as well as the rest of the world would have an unusually attractive
natural park: an ideal place for strolling and picnicking and a “magic” place
for children of all ages. What a crime it would be if the Fairy Footstools and
mysterious walls were someday plowed under by bulldozers to turn this land into
yet another ugly fraccionamiento.
|
If you’d like to soak up the good vibes of this surreal landscape, park your
car a bit before the Rancho Aguacates gate and hike up the gentle slope of
the unfenced hill above you. A 200-meter walk west will bring you to nice
spots for picnicking, meditating or just letting the kids run loose.... Pedro Fernandez Somellera and rolling meadows. |
 |
Should you decide to go, however, don’t wait too long. A new fence may go up at
any moment. You’ll find this and other updates to previously described sites at
www.ranchopint.com.
How to Get There
(Green = See GPS coordinate below)
From Lake Chapala, go to Jocotepec, drive northwest to Highway 54 and head north
to Santa Cruz de las Flores. Exit and drive northwest to Tala.
From Guadalajara, take highway 15 (to Nogales) 25 kilometers past the Periférico
to highway 70 heading SW towards Ameca. After 17 kilometers you'll see the sign
for Tala at the large roadside sugar refinery. Turn left and after several
stoplights, bear left at the Y into town.
You enter Tala on Herrera y Cairo Street, which becomes Ramón Corona after you
pass the plaza and church. After a few more blocks, you cross a cement bridge of
sorts over aguas negras (sewage) and then come to a hill. Go up it a little and
take the very first right onto Guadalupe Victoria street
which brings you to a dirt road in rather bad shape. Here, you can either park
and walk (if you have a delicate car) or turn left onto the bad road which,
after 550 meters brings you face to face with the infamous padlocked iron gate.
Turn right here and drive 270 meters. Before reaching the next padlocked gate
(to Rancho Aguacates), stop and park. The last
unfenced Fairy Footstool hill will be on your right. Driving time from
Guadalajara to the parking spot: 45 minutes.
GPS Coordinates:
Turn onto Guadalupe Victoria Street: 13 Q 636318 2283845
Parking spot for Fairy Footstool Hill: 13 Q 636856 2283612
|
|
