March 16, 2007
Divisadero, MX (map)

We left at 9:00 this a.m., an hour earlier than expected. As a result we are now sitting on the tracks outside of Divisadero waiting for a tour group a day ahead of us to clear the siding. (Apparently, during the tourist season, RV caravans from about 4 different companies go through the area nearly every day.)

It was about a 2-hour trip from Creel. Fairly uneventful. Went through about 6 tunnels. Only about 70 to go. Saw a couple of wrecked train cars which had tumbled off the tracks at some point in the past. Hopefully we won’t be joining them.

The plan today is to have lunch from a street vendor (tempting la turista). Then it’s a tour, winding up at a nice hotel on the canyon rim.
[Break]

Wow! When we finally came to a stop and they broke the train up for the night, we were front row, center in the middle of Divisadero. Enjoyed talking with college students from Iowa and Kentucky who were here on spring break doing serious hiking.

Great afternoon. Bus tour of various vistas along the canyon rim (where the local peddlers sold baskets, beads, etc.—we continued to contribute to the local economy.) Finished at the El Mirador Hotel for happy hour (2 for 1 margaritas, the national drink of Mexico) and a wonderful sunset view of the canyon. Great dinner. ‘Home’ by 7 pm.

Sunrise hike at 5:45 tomorrow!!