A Mexican Birthday—Bob is 65!

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February 9, 2007, Friday. We had a nice breakfast, met our guide Nacho. Packed up and stopped for supplies—lunch, water, snacks, and of course, beer.
The trip to the bottom of the canyon is about 40 miles on a paved road and 40 miles on a gravel road, bumpy, hair-pin turns, all leading down, down into the canyon, magnificent scenery. The Sierra Tarahumara probable possesses the world’s largest proliferation of great canyons confined to a relatively small area. The trip took over six hours, and the folks we were traveling with were wonderful and easy to be with. After lunch we had the opportunity to walk a bit down the canyon, then Nacho drove the rest of the way to our hotel Real de Mines. A lovely hacienda, much more than we expected, with a kind welcoming host. After dinner we were all ready to sleep.
February 10, 2007, Saturday. The Sierra Tarahumara is part of the Sierra Madre Occidental in Northwest Mexico. This area is named after the Tarahumaras who inhabit this remote area. There are numerous canyons in Barranca del Cobre. Today we toured the area. We began walking the gravel road up to San Satavo, the mission. It is warm and the trail is uphill, but after yesterday’s long ride, it is good to walk. After visiting the humble mission we are off to the cave dwellers. The Tarahumaras live in caves. In this humble existence, livestock.goats, cows and donkeys live in one cave and the family and chickens live in another. A grindstone to mash corn, a primitive fire, blackened cooking pots and woman weaving baskets is the scene we hike up to. Bob and I have crayons and tablets for the children, they accept them but there is little response. We understand the children learn the Tarahumara language at schools,
Back in town, after a snack, Bob and I walk to the plaza to hear the children practicing music lessons. We visited the Riverfront Hotel, which was quite interesting. Then on to the Mansion ruins across the river.
The Dinner/Birthday party is at the Swinging Bridge Restaurant. A local woman in town has made a lovely birthday cake and the restaurant has helped provide a Mariachi Band to make it a festive night. Bob is up and dancing with the band the Mexican Hat Dance! and Frankie is Salsa dancing with one of the locals. I think this will be a long remembered day at the bottom of the Copper Canyon. Happy 65th Birthday Beto!!!(Bobby). Oh what fun! I won’t mention the Tequila tasting Bob had at the hotel.

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Comments

[Marion R. Tracey]

Tarahumaras
I was so struck by the existence of the Tarahumaras! It made me sit back and thank God for all that I have. I'm enjoying checking in once in awhile. Sometimes I feel as though I'm on these adventures with you. Happy birthday Bob!!