My third visit since October to the Copper Canyon. Some people ask why and I say why not.
Instead of my usual dirt-bike trip down there, this would be a couples "luxury" trip with SUV's and nice rooms. It doesn't get much better than that.
Sandie at Paquime! I tried to visit this place before but it was closed. It was written up in National Geographic for being very interesting and it's on the exact longitude line of Chaco Canyon and Chimney Rock. Interesting! How did the "ancients" do that?
An aerial view of the settlement! People lived here from around 1,000 A.D. to 1,500 A.D.
This display of a complete mariachi band made from scrap metal was in front of an art studio. I play the drums and couldn't resist this shot with a "compadre".
This is inside the cave dwelling just outside Creel. 50,000 Tarahumaras live in the five major canyons of the "Copper Canyon" system and many of them use cliff overhangs for living quarters.
Everyone said this apron was really me. I said maybe I could wear it in the garage when I work on cars and motorcycles.
All the tourists in Creel have to visit the valley of the "mushroom rocks".
The Tarahumaras make lots of crafts and they seem to be just about anywhere you stop.
This church dates back about 300 years. It's the San Ignacio Mission.
We always try to take a supply of toys and candy for the kids. In the places I like to frequent, they seldom see a tourist and are very shy.
In the "Valley of the Monks", you'll see many of these rock formations. That's Sandie, John, and Tina.
We enjoyed a wonderful picnic lunch at the remains of a hotel or lodge on Lake Arareko. Camping is available next to the lake for $1.50 per night per person. I plan to return in the future with my MoHo to do some kayaking, Mtn. Biking, motorcycling, and hiking.
That's Rhetta, Sandie, Jack, Tina, Milo, and John.
Tina demonstrates how to pull a plow. We saw several Tarahumaras plowing with these all wood plows behind a horse or couple of burros.
Cusarare Falls! We parked by the highway and hiked a couple of miles past Tarahumara log cabins to see it.
You drop from 8,000 feet elevation at the highway as you drive the 40 mile dirt road to Batopilas. It's at 1,900 feet. That's a fun drive!
"Switchback City"!
Batopilas! One of the many suspension bridges in the canyons. Many of them are the only way the Tarahumaras can get to or from their villages when the rains come. You can see 20 feet of water under this one during that time.
Too nice! I'm not used to this style. It's the hotel Real de Minas and the rooms are wonderful.
Standard Tarahumara wear!
The Lost Cathedral! Satevo!
Sandie and I had a blast driving the roads in our 1971 Baja Buggy. It works really well.
Always looking for opportunities to practice my Spanish, I shut the Buggy off and said Hi to this cowboy. He was heading to church.
Wow! 500 or more years old stuff. Our hotel in Nuevas Casas Grandes mentioned that we could have a look at their private museum. This is all original pottery from the Paquime settlement.
Milo Muterspaugh and Helen had driven on ahead of us. Tina Sverdrup and Sandie are in back. Rhetta and Jack Bergman in front. John Strathman was out of the Pic.
A great adventure! I'll be back!
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