La Isla de los Alacranes

La Isla de los Alacranes (Scorpian Island - Lake Chapala)

Bill bought a "speed boat" a few months ago and has been working on the steering and controls. He actually just bought the boat and trailer and had to match it up with a motor he had. He launched it a few days ago and it's moored in the Chapala public boat harbor. So because I'm heading for the coast soon he wanted to give me a ride.

Pretty bumpy ride for a light boat over the waves. Most everything else on the lake are heavy pangas that plow thru the waves. Smoother coming back with the wind.

Every little restaurant of about 8 has their own moorage/dock. Someone comes out to help you tie up. They know you want to look around the island so they offer to take your meal order and have it ready when you get back. The island is not very long and is narrow but because of the lake level we couldn't make it to the east end. Meal was just OK but a nice setting.

A few of these signs around the island

Boat docks

Restaurant

A few of these around the island too

The ride back with sailboat and island in the distance

Lake Altilte and the Balneario

Marcos and I drove up to La Huerta on highway 80 only with the idea of looking around town and maybe taking a side road or two. What we found was some very  helpful people in the Tourist Office (Oficina de Tourismo) just off the Plaza.

We knew about the Petroglyphs but had no idea where they were or how hard to get to. As we expected they suggested a guide, hiking boots and long pants (rock climbing and snakes) ... and we were in shorts and sandles.

We asked what else might be interesting and the Balneario was suggested but maybe hard to find. It's on the same road as the Petroglyphs but further through lots of farm country. (Find the road just a little west of La Concha off highway 80)  After a few wrong turns, meeting a few people and missing the second sign we found it. Actually a very pretty place somewhat like an oasis where the warm water originates from a spring. It's not well developed and like the tourist office called it, rustico. Swimming is not real safe except in the pool which was empty and I would be concerned about water quality. It was fun to find and see !!

Here's a rather corny "travel video" of El Altilte but it works



The Petroglyphs we never saw
We did see the lake and balneario
And the country side is beautifulMunicipio de La Huerta, Jalisco MexicoTrip to Altilte and Balneario

Mezcala Island - Lake Chapala

Mezcala Island
Lake Chapala, Jalisco - Mexico

Mezcala Island is a few kilometers southeast of Mezcala on the northern shore of Lake Chapala. It is also known as El Presidio. From 1812-1816, a small band of rebels held off the Spanish army and navy against overwhelming odds. Tired of the humiliation the Spanish finally negotiated a peaceful surrender with the insurgents. The island then became a Spanish prison for many years.

It's rumored that there existed indigenous structures and hieroglyphics on the island before the fortifications were built but all traces disappeared with the construction. There are tours to the island from both Mezcala and Chapala-

Aerial view of Mezcala

Ruins of the fort

More ruins

Mezcala island from Mezcala town

A few more Mezcala fotos