El Charco del Ingenio Botanical Garden and Nature Reserve

I found myself in the mood for a turista thing this morning. I had heard of the botanical gardens previously, but I was not inspired. You will recall how taken I was with the cactus collection at Oleander Acres in Mission, Texas, when I was still not used to indoor plants growing outside. I suppose that I have become a bit hardened after having slept among 'em several times now.

The truck needed a drive, too. It had been sitting for quite some time.

How pleasantly surprised I was! Botanical garden does not do this place justice at all. El Charco del Ingenio. And it is so close, above the city just on the western side, across town from me. I spent about two and half hours wandering in the place.

Do not forget to click on any photo that interests you in order to enlarge it.














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They are quite forthright about the pollution.











Walkway across the top of the dam.




The broken water pipe leading downstream from the dam.




The old station house for the dam on the opposite side.








The canyon below the dam starts to deepen here.

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Perhaps the deepest part of the canyon with the walkway long the side in the upper left.








Downstream.




Upstream.




I did not climb the ladder down into the canyon this time. Next time.




That same old water pipe running downstream along the rim of the canyon.



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The end of the canyon opens up to a beautiful view over the city.






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I ended the hike with an omelet vegetariano y café americano.

I hope the photos do this hike some justice for you. I had the place entirely to myself for the afternoon. Unbelievable. It was a startlingly pleasant turista experience for me.