Summary of Copper Canyon 17 Day Piggyback Caravan

Here is our happy group of 22 couples that went on the 17 day caravan to Mexico. We all gathered at Mission RV Park in El Paso, Texas, a few days before Valentines Day, our day of departure, to get acquainted and begin our feeding frenzy. We even did some tours in the El Paso area, the War Eagles Air Museum and the Indian Cliffs Ranch that is home to the Cattleman’s Steakhouse.After we crossed over the border, which was a piece of cake thanks to the pre-planning done by Tracks to Adventure, we began to notice how the Mexican’s use color. They paint their houses many bright colors and they all live very close together. They do have beautiful courtyards behind their walls that include gardens of fruit and vegetables.

You can see how narrow the streets are as we wind our way through the town of Chihuahua.

Each day was filled with more wonders than the previous as we awaited the day that we would board the trains. It took almost all morning for us to be loaded onto the train, parking with our drivers side wheels only inches from the edge. We were to remain here for the duration of the train trip, 4 nights and 5 days of dry camping without being able to even put out our slides. Each ramp onto the rail cars was measured for each coach and moved accordingly. Scary looking but done with precision, or at least as much precision that could be obtained in Mexico.

This is our Wagon Master's rig as we connect to the engine on the first day. You can see how close his tires are to the edge. We did have railing on the passenger side so that we could walk. They also asked that we pull in our stairs when not using them so that the train personnel could pass without hitting their legs, esp. at night when it was pitch dark.

The contrasts from the working farms to the rugged mountains of the Copper Canyon, the passing the Continental Divide several times and the high altitude was all hard to believe when we seemed to travel such a short distance. I guess that with us all being used to the driving and this time just sitting back and letting the train do it we were really able to see the changes, even at 25 mph.

The Taramahara Indians are a very resourceful tribe. They have change little and still live very primitive lives and make money by selling baskets to the tourists along with woven wraps, bracelets and some children's toys.
Our last day on the train was the longest and the most interesting as far as geology goes. We went from a very high elevation to sea level, through the treeless mountains to the fruitfull valleys lush with produce of vegtables and fruits to the Sea of Cortez with its bounty of fresh shrimp, which a vendor delivered to our camp as soon as we were set up.

After 4 days in Mazatlan we began our trip north and back to the USA. We were sorry to be leaving as this meant that we would be parting ways. There are a few things that people have asked. Did we feel safe? Yes, never was there a time when we were the least bit concerned. The Mexican people are very friendly and know that the RV tourist brings money to town. We were cautious about the water and filled up with only 5 gal water jugs in Mazatlan as they had a long funnel to make filling our tanks easy. I would bring a funnel next trip and get all my water that way. We really enjoyed the fresh shrimp and fish in the coastal towns and the fresh fruits in the agricultural belt and in Mazatlan. Next trip I would bring packages of useful things like face cloths, hand towels, baby wipes, bars of soap, small bottles of hand disinfectant. I think you get the picture. These are things that they don't have and that would not take away from their culture but just might make life a little better.

There is much more that we did and if you are really interested there is much more to read on our "Blog". A "Blog" is really nothing more than a log of what we did day by day. You can get there by going to http://www.monacosinmotion.org/ and clicking on Copper Canyon Blog. Or you can go directly http://www.mimcaravanmexico.blogspot.com/ and while you are at the Blog, don't forget to click on the web album(s) so that you can see first hand our wonderful pictures of the trip. www.picasaweb.google.com/mimmexico/MexicoCaravan and www.picasaweb.google.com/mimmexico/MexicoCaravanII. I hope you'll go and enjoy reading about how much fun we did have.

Day 17, March 1. 2007

As you can see, this was an early start day as we had to cover 266 miles to the border. We drove hard with just a few stops as we were all ready to get back to the USA and a little anxious about crossing the border. Why, I don't know. We are going home! We got the to Aduana/Frontera office and they came on board to remove our holograms of importation of our vehicles. About 10 more miles up the road we passed through Mexican customs. Glad we didn't have to get in the truck lanes as they had very, very long lines. American customs was a piece of cake. Handed out our passports and they were handed right back and we were directed to a holding area for agricultural inspection. He just came on board, asked if we had any chicken, eggs or plants. I told him that they were cooked. He looked into the freezer at the same time and said, "You've been through this drill before!" I said yes and he turned around and walked out and told us to have a nice day. We drove about 40 miles up the road to a nice campground to add water, dump and do some laundry. Many passed over the border and headed on their own way. We got to say some quick good-byes over the CB radio but it will be strange not following in a caravan this morning when we leave and I really will miss "Thumper" checking our tires in the morning. This is what we affectionately called our tail gunner.

Many few friendships were made and old ones better cemented, so until the next time, Happy Trails and don't forget to visit our two photo albums.

www.picasaweb.google.com/mimmexico/MexicoCaravan

and www.picasaweb.google.com/mimmexico/MexicoCaravanII.

Day 16, February 28, 2007

The drive from Los Alamos to San Carlos on the coast of Sonora, Mexico, was only 160 or so miles. This is the entrance to the RV Park that we stayed in there.

Los Alamos was a town built of old money from the gold and silver days and has and is being refurbished to it's original condition and was very modern in comparison to the many towns that we had already been in. San Carlos is new money, mostly brought in by the Canadians and Americans.

There are MANY new homes being built in this small fishing/yachting town and we were told that the cost of building at this time was about $105/square foot. Each house had about 10 Mexicans working on it and there had to be hundreds being currently built all over San Carlos. We just wondered where they were living as we didn't see the typical Mexican housing anywhere that we went. This was the view from the back of the RV Park.

We had our farewell dinner right there in a lovely room at the RV Park. Mike is saying a few last words and then we ate. After dinner most of us went back to our coach's to get ready for departure.

Day 15, Tuesday, February 27, 2007

After a short day of travel most of us took a walking tour of Los Alamos. This is an old silver and gold mining town and we are standing in front of an old chapel. We had a tour guide that explained the history of the town and it was most interesting.

This is the alter of the chapel. Like everything else in Mexico, what you see outside does not indicate what you will find inside, as is evidenced by the beautiful courtyards behind tall walls.

Here is just one such courtyard.

The bougainvillea was just lovely hanging over the many walls.

After the tour we all came back and fixed a dinner of things that could not be taken back over the border into the USA. I'm sure there were some strange combinations.

Day 14, Monday, February 26, 2007

Travel day for us today leaving about 8 am and we once again crossed over the Tropic of Cancer. Of course, this time was going in the opposite direction. We had traveled this road 4 days ago when we headed down to Mazatlan so the sights were familiar but still very interesting. Especially the farming going on in the area and the harvesting. We got through our first inspection, this one for agriculture. None of us was stopped nor boarded for a search. Great!

Bragging Rights !

Four men from the group went out fishing and Cliff caught the catch of the day. Only some of the fish was taken home and the rest was given to the crew.

We finished off the day with a pot luck dinner. How a group can get together such an array of food on short order is beyond me, and all of it great!

We'll leave in the morning about 8:30 am and head to Los Alamos, a new place to visit. Maybe there will be vendors there???

Day 13, Sunday, February 25, 2007

A number of folks went out on this boat to Stone Island on a tour. It included a bouncy ride in the Sea of Cortez to see some "pirate" caves on two of the islands and then a very small island with some sea lions resting. The sea lions come here in the winter from North America and Canada waters to have their babies. It was quite windy and therefore chilly.
















The Holland America ship Ryndam was in port and was expected to leave at 5 p.m. tonight. It is a small ship in comparison to the mega ships that they are building today but made our little vessel seem very small indeed.

Some went horseback riding, others snorkeled or took a banana boat ride to view the turtles, or a horse drawn carriage ride. All this was include in the tour price of $20 per person. Very reasonable.

We are all back now and getting our coach's ready for travel in the morning. We will be heading out about 7 a.m. and it will be a long drive back to Los Mochis where we will gather for a pot luck dinner.

Day 12, Saturday, February 24, 2007

Today was a free day and some of the group went off in a little rental car like this one and toured the area. Others watched their rigs being washed and waxed and others just rested.

Some walked the beach, others watched the beach walkers!

The evening was a Fiesta at the Hotel Playa. All the food and drink and a show, such a deal!

We have started a second photo album which can be found at www.picasaweb.google.com/mimmexico/mexicocaravanII

Please visit it often as it is updated daily.

Day 11, Friday, February 23, 2007

This morning we all took a bus tour of Mazatlan after a buffet breakfast on the beach at the Hotel Playa Mazatlan, the same hotel that we had dinner at last night.

The tour took us all along the beach front and to the area where the local fishermen drive their boats up on shore and then sell their fish. You can see the many pelicans looking for a handout. Many of us bought jumbo shrimp from a local that brings it right into the park daily. If you go down to buy fish it is the catch of the day and it varies but we never were told just what they do catch in the area.

Mazatlan is also noted for it's cliff divers. We were able to watch as a few jumped off into the pounding surf. Nothing any of us wanted to do, even feet first.

There is a lot of new growth and condos along the beach area. In fact, one of the few RV parks has been sold and a Costco is going in it's place.

We shopped in a local grocery store that carried many of Costco's brands so they are already heavy in the area.

We toured the old town market and this is just one of the many stalls that we found. This is the way most of the people in the area shop, just like big cities of old. I was really impressed with how high some could stack their wares.

Thursday, Day 10, February 22

We have arrived in Maztalan! This is our first look at the Sea of Cortez. And that is from some distance, but you can see the waves, a little.













We are parked in an old coconut grove that was turned into an RV Park about 30 years ago. As you can see, the trees are still here and the spaces are very small. This is a 42 foot coach being parked in a 34 foot space. And not a scratch on the coach or those around it. But it did take some good maneuvering.









Dinner was at the Hotel Playa, Mazatlan, on the beach overlooking a beautiful sunset and a cruse liner going out to it's next port. We are all tired and have headed back to our coach's for a good nights rest for another full day tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow.

Wednesday, Day 9, February 21, 2007

After overnight in a no frills rail yard it was time to begin the unloading process. The flatcars were brought to the unloading dock and the rails that they had put on the sides of the cars so that we could walk around were first removed. The ramps were added between the cars and the unloading began. You really had to trust the man leading you over the ramps and down the flatcar. You had only inches on one side of the coach before you would drive off the side.

We drove about 10 minutes to a campground where we rested up before being taken to dinner at a hotel in town. This had to be the best shrimp that I have ever had, and quite a few others voiced the same opinion. As downtown is also the "market" area a few ventured out to see what was available. Not much for us as either we didn't recognise it and couldn't read it in Spanish or had no place to put it. After dinner we all came back full and sleepy and all went to bed early as we'll have to be up early in the morning for our briefing and then we will hit the road for a 254 mile drive down to Mazatlan where we will camp for a few days. See you down the road.

Tuesday, February 20, 2007, Day 8

Today was an early start at 7 a.m. and we traveled down to 100 feet above sea level. This is a picture of one of the cut backs with a waterfall in the background. There were so many tunnels and one was over 1 mile long and had no lights inside at all. Occasionally one of us would turn on headlights but the light didn't travel very far. Many of us were outside sitting in our lawn chairs to enjoy the views. It was cold when we left but warmed up as we got to lower elevations.

Snow yesterday and the tropics today. The hillsides were covered in beautiful flowering trees. We say all sorts of fruits growing in the valleys. When we made it to just outside Los Mochis it was all farm land as far as the eye could see and all growing in various stages. Corn, tomatoes, beans/peas, peppers and many things we didn't recognise from the train.

Arnold and JJ enjoying the ride outside their coach. This picture was taken by one of the security guards that are riding the train with us, they move freely between cars but we all just hang on and stay on our own cars until we are stopped. Notice how close to the edge the drivers side is. This is the was of all the coaches. We must also have our steps retracted when the doors are not open so that the guards can walk by.

Tonight we are on the rails for the last night. We have been parked on a siding and will be moved into positions for driving off in the morning at 7 a.m. Already we can hear train cars being moved about and engines going back and forth, this will not be a quiet night for sure. We have a short drive to our next stop, an RV park for a night, then down the road to Mazatlan.

Monday, Day 7

This morning was started with an early breakfast at the hotel. The usual American fare as well as Mexican. Very good and enough to last us through the day. We left the land of the Tarahumara Indians and the selling of their wares. These are a very shy and unasuming tribe of peoples. We never did see any of the men, at least, we don't think we did. Todays trip was a bit more "rocking" than we've had so far as we traveled over bridges and through tunnels.

This was the color of the sky this morning when we got up so we were not surprised to see some snow and as we rode down into the valley it turned to rain. The sky this evening was also red so we are hoping for fair sky's tomorrow. It should be dry as we will be traveling across the desert.

Today we also crossed the La Laja Bridge at an altitude of 6,750 feet. You can even see the tunnel that we had just exited before crossing over a deep gorge.

We ended up our day in a little town called Bahuichivo and we are overnighting on a side railing. Most of our coaches have high rock walls on either side of them so we will really hear the trains tonight as they pass. The town is up a very high hill so most of us decided not to do the climb. There are no restaurants in town so we all ate in our rigs.

Sunday, Day 6, February 18, 2007

We left the town of Creel about 9 am and headed to the Canyon, Divisadero. About 11 am we got our first glimpse of the Copper Canyon. Our tour guide was here, having driven up in a bus, to take us on a tour of the area and to visit interesting sites and explain the area history. The Canyon is formed from volcanoes and earthquakes, millions upon millions of years ago. This area is home to the many Tarahumara Indians. The woman carry their baskets and woven scarfs up from the canyon floor to sell to the tourists.

The baskets are made from grasses found in the region. Their method of weaving is unique and much sort after by museums. At the canyon floor you will find an almost tropic climate and this is where they spend their winters eating the mangoes and avocados and citrus fruits found there. The men do the wood carvings although we have yet to see an Indian man. They are very shy and tend to stay away letting the woman do all the selling, and the work.

The children learn at a very early age how to beg. They are all over trying to sell the baskets that their mothers have made and have even learned how to make a "photo" opt. This little girl made a haul when she walked over to our group with a baby goat in her arms and posed for pictures. Everyone gave her some pesos and she was very happy.

The area has well adapted itself for tourism, this is an airfield on the top of the Canyon rim for small craft to fly in rich tourists. The train runs two passenger trains, one for tourists and one for the Mexicans. You can guess how different they look as the Mexicans are know to even bring along livestock.

We crossed the Continental Divide, again, and reached the highest point on the line, altitude 8,071 feet.

Saturday, Day 5

Our day started very early this morning when our two engines arrived at 6 a.m. to start moving us around to make one long train. We left the yard at 7:27 a.m.. The hooking up went much smoother than we expected, very gentle. With a little steam we were off and watching the countryside change as it went by.

We saw streams, canyons, mountains and plains and we all took lots of pictures of ourselves as we rounded curves, first one way and then the other. We did go through the second largest tunnel on the trip today and it was almost one mile long. It had no lights inside and it was so dark you could not see your hand in front of your face.

After being dropped at a side track in the town of Creel we took a tour of the mouth of the Copper Canyon and visited the cave of a Tarahumara Indian family. The man in the center is Edwardo, our guide. This family lives in this cave year round and there is a large opening up in the roof. They have lived this way for centuries.

The day was finished with dinner at the Best Western Hotel in town and then it was back to our coaches to get ready for the next day. So our ladders are up and we are ready.

Friday, Day 4, February 16, 2007

Today was the day. Train day. But first, we spent the night in Mennonite country. Now this is apple country. Along the road we saw these strange tepee type "things" and found out later what they were used for. This area has a lot of spring storms and to protect the apples from HAIL they cover them with this netting. Most of the fields have these tied up nets.

This is our Wagon masters coach being the first loaded onto the rail cars. We took about 3 hours to load 22 coach's onto 22 flatcars. Driving the rigs onto each flatcar is by ramps between the cars and they are not secured all that well. There is a "train person" that guides you as you cross the ramps and keeps you extremely close to the left side so that you will have room enough to exit your coach on the passenger side, where the rail is.

There were three lines of flatcars that we loaded one by one. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words so don't forget to visit our web album at www.picasaweb.google.com/mimmexico/MexicoCaravan.

Just click on the above link and it will take you there where you can enjoy our journey.