Getting on the Train

We took a cab from the hotel to the train station where we hung around for about a hour before the Train arrived. We chose the 1st class train it was not full so you could wander between cars and take pictures between the cars without having to shoot through windows.





Looking forward
Looking backwards

The Dinning Car it has the best views and cleanest windows and does not seem to sway as much

When we got on they ask where you are going and then suggest that you sit in certian spots, they do not make you stay in them. Now when we came back on the 2nd class train you had to stay in the seat they assigned and that train was very busy

We were really impressed with the uniforms that all the staff wore on the train, from the conductor to the chef in the dinning car they are all in uniforms

This poster shows the elevations we will be going up and down

We thought we heard the Train coming so we started looking down the tracks

This is the station where do you buy the tickets, oh you purchase them right on the train.

El Fuerte

Arriving at EL Fuerte the four of us Jim, Bonnie, Lynn and myself went and found a hotel and then a place for supper. As luck would have it Zorro joined us for Happy hour.
This is part of Zorros sitting room. We were told that Zorro was born here and really did rob from the rich and give to the poor

The River Fuerte runs through the town and down from the hills. The view from the Fort and our hotel was great

There must be very shallow areas as we watched boaters poling themselves down the river. We could have went on a boat trip for 4 hours where you are rowed around. Must not have much of a current.

This is what the front of the hotel looked like

Well the long awaited pictures are coming. In Nov. we took a 12 hour bus ride from Mazatlan to the San Carlos area to hop on the Murray Grey. As you can see Lynn made himself at home behind the wheel of thier Beneteau.

The landscape and the fishing boats looked very similar to our own back yard up in B.C.

We did a overnighter with the agreement that both couples would do 4 hours on only problem being that Jim and myself were sick so Lynn and Bonnie did the overnighter. Arriving into Topolobampo. Once again we were shown a new way the Mexicians fish

We left Topolobampo early in the am to head into Los Mochis

Where we headed to one of the three Bus stations to travel up to El Fuerte where we would catch the Train to the Copper Canyon


Yes Lynn is the 1st one on the Bus with his Lonely Planet book in hand. We were the only ones on the bus for about 30 minutes. We picked up numerous people and some got off in the middle of nowhere the ride to El Fuerte was about 6 hours

Christmas in Victoria AND GETTING IN THE MOOD IN MAZATLAN

The house might not be as decorated as it has been in years past but i think the tree looks right at home! And you can not forget one of Bandit just cause i know you guys miss how cute she is!

We did numerous Christmas activities this year, 

after all of this we were in the Christmas mood.

Day of the dead part of a display at EL CID

Houses decorated for Halloween

To Hot to cook inside plus the corn did not taste like Taber Corn

El Cid Lobby and Marina Staff ball Game. Our Friend Poncho pitching he is pretty good

What Have We Been Up To

Since arriving back in Mazatlan we have been to a few Venados Baseball games, also a ball game with the El Cid employees from the Marina (they play in a commercial league). We took about 70 picture and had them printed for them. It made us a big hit with the players.

 

At the end of October we took part in the Day of the Dead activities which included following 3 beer carts ( were they were giving out free draft beer)pulled by donkeys around the old town. Included in the parade were fire works and lots of people in costumes.

Two weeks ago we took the overnight bus (12 hours) to Guaymas and met up with our friends on a boat called the Murray Gray and sailed 200 miles down the coast to Topolobambo, got on a bus and then a train and toured the Copper Canyon for a week. The trip also included a 60 km (one way)ride on a very rough 4 wheel drive road that was made from a donkey trail. Big drop off the edge and saw a few vehicles that had gone over and were still there. We then returned to Topolobambo and sailed another 200 miles to Mazatlan.

Today was a large Parade celebrating the 200 Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution. Lots of school bands and loud music.

More info to come as soon as Debbie has some computer time, but from what you can see we may need to go back to Victoria for a rest.

Back In Mazatlan

Arrived back here on Tuesday afternoon. The Westjet flight only had two empty seats so it would seem that the snowbirds are starting to migrate.

The boat seems to be fine, no issues with any systems yet and it was very clean (they washed it the morning we were coming back). We are not in a big hurry to put the cockpit enclosure or sails on yet as it was a year ago today that we sat thru the tail end of Hurricane Rick. Even though it has been a quiet hurricane season for the Eastern Pacific there is still time to get kicked with a storm. The temp is hanging around 30 degrees but the humidity has not been to bad. We are also back playing our favourite game.Try and find the stuff you but away 6 months ago and cannot remember were you put it. Kinda like Christmas when you find it.

It feels like one is coming home when we get back here.The staff are all glad to see you, and there are a few cruiser friends hanging around. And one can afford to go out for drinks and dinner.