First published: 03/04/19.

Ammon Watkins

Cal Orck’o

Cal Orck’o (On tentative list)

Cal Orck’o

Finding myself in the beautiful WHS city of Sucre, I thought it would be a terrible waste to not visit the footprints at Cal Orck'o when they are so close and easy to access. We jumped on city bus 4 from about a block away from the central market and followed a winding route through town until it ended right at the entrance to the cement factory. The factory is still going strong (though the guide at the museum expressed hope that it would eventually be shut down) and if not for the fact that I could see the museum entrance inside, I would have been hesitant to walk around the busy cement trucks and in through the chain-link fence. 

Looking at the "wall" of footprints from outside the museum is nearly as good as from the inside. Bring binoculars if you don't want to rely on theirs being in good working condition or don't want to go inside. Or better yet, show up early enough for the 12.00 or 13.00 guided tours that walk you down right to the wall for a closer view. We didn't show up until later in the afternoon so unfortunately missed this opportunity but looking back it would have been the redeeming feature worthy of the price of admission. The museum itself had a few info boards and you can opt to take a free guided tour around but was mostly a park full of models with very few actual fossils or artifacts to admire. The guide was helpful in pointing out which tracks were from which dinosaur though.

I have my doubts about its future inscription (though can't understand why it couldn't be considered important enough) because of the ongoing damage concerns. You can easily see where the wall has collapsed in places and the footprints continue to get weathered and lost. Maybe an inscription and infusion of money can help preserve such a remarkable piece of history.

Still a worthy detour as it was very cheap and simple to do and recommended for anyone with a couple extra hours in Sucre. 

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