Chepe Express

On By DbmakesIn Copper Canyon Gate1 Tour Oct 2024, Mexico
Sunday, October 15, 2024
Chepe Train arriving at Copper Canyon

About halfway through every trip,  I need a break.  Taking a 6-hour train ride today is just what I needed. 

This railroad travels from Los Mochis, at sea level, up the western side of the Sierra Madre, through Copper Canyon, and to the plains of the Chihuahuan desert.  It was planned in 1872 but had many delays due to bankruptcies, the Depression and the Mexican Revolution.  The Mexican government then bought the railroad, and the first train arrived in Los Mochis in 1961. 

We were assigned seats, but we were able to move to the back of the car to spread out. Just like enjoying the back of our motor coach. 

By the way, we have STAYED in the back of the coach!  None of the other people in our group wanted to move back.  So grateful!

We didn’t stay in our seats for long as we rattled our way back to the lounge car.  We even found 2 seats at the bar where we could watch Mexican music videos
The back of the bar car became packed as there was a large group traveling together.  And as their  drinks flowed, the party heated up!
We enjoyed our own libations while watching the scenery go by
The lowest point IN Copper Canyon. There are 32 trestles and 82 tunnels on the entire 420-mile journey.  We did half of that
Post our delicious lunch, what’s better than a train nap??

We arrived in El Fuente in the state of Sinaloa around 3:30.

Our home for the night
It was quite a hike coming up the entrance.  It reminded me of the entrance to Pompei
Lynda Makes …. this parrot was for you!
It was VERY hot and humid (101⁰) and I intended to jump in the pool.

But instead, we did a short walking tour of El Fuente.  My Norwegian constitution almost didn’t go on the walk as I was SO HOT.

But our hotel was right across the street from a fort that was built in 1610 to guard against the Mayo Indians. 

From the fort …. see the very lush area behind the white van?  That was our hotel.  Can’t believe we weren’t bothered by mosquitos and so grateful for really good AC in our room
Also, from the fort, we could see the El Fuente river.  That certainly added to the humidity. 
The hotel had a Zorro theme

As dinner was being served, Zorro himself arrived with his girlfriend and Mexican band to entertain us and dance with us all. 

It was another delicious dinner of soup, black bass, rice, and veggies.  The ice cream for dessert was PERFECT in the heat.  No complaints about the food on this trip, but we have yet to have a really good margarita.   I won’t give up trying to find one.  

It was an early night for Joe and me, and we totally enjoyed our very cool room and king-size bed. 

We will be on the move again tomorrow, heading north to Alamos. 

9 thoughts on “Chepe Express”

  4. azbrujo's avatar azbrujo

    What an amazing trip this has been. Wish you could have shown your dance with Zorro. And yes, definitely feel the 70s. Tired but loving it all. We have had such a good time and my God, the food. Going to be hitting that gym hard once we get back.

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