“The Blue Corn Express”…learn to cook in Mexico’s majestic Copper Canyon!

Alfredo Murillo enjoying some cacajuates

Our Mexico experiences open the door for people to fully appreciate the majestic Copper Canyon and we are beginning to offer authentic food-focused trips there called “The Blue Corn Express”.I am contacting chefs and schools who offer cooking classes around the country and the idea is for these innovative chefs to offer this exciting new trip to their clients- a real business builder.

The core idea of the “Blue Corn Express” is to give you an excellent Mexican cooking experience right in one of the world’s unique food spots. We will offer options of a session at a chef’s school in Chihuahua City, lots of experiences in local kitchens and off-the-path restaurants and homes in the Sierra Madres, as well as the incredible experience on the world renowned train through Copper Canyon.

As always with Authentic Copper Canyon you will have an incredible experience saturated with our values- 1.Authenticity 2. Quality 3. Collaboration with local Mexicans. There are a few pics on food in our photo gallery….and also a great new video on youtube!

New Video on Copper Canyon

You have to go to youtube and take a look at our new video (or just take it in on our front page). Good views of some out of the out of the way places we feature on our learning based experiences in Copper Canyon- yes they are experiences, not just trips!

Cuiteco, Cursarare, Areponapuchi, and more. (See The Peoples Guide for more info on these places).

Breakfast in the El Fuerte market

First thing in the morning when I am in El Fuerte, I love to amble through the market and chat with the vendors- this is like at 6 or 6:30 am. They are getting their wood fires ready or cleaning or chatting with drivers and people getting off the Mochis bus. This market is discussed some in resources like People’s Guide to Mexico. I have some seen a few notes online here and there…but truth is this is one of Mexico’s best and it is unknown.

The little stand above features the finest in fried pork tacos and right next door ther is Birrea to die for…don’t miss it.

At the bottom of Urique Canyon…

This is one of the most demanding trails I have ever seen…and I have been on some wild ones over the years across the American west. A steep descent on rocky trails in direct sun. Demanding.  It took us about 6 hours to get down and a little longer to come out. I have walked it before (down and up in one day- not recommended), but this time I rode a horse.

At the bottom, we spent the night at the little camping area established by Gary Ziegler and Amy Finger of Adventure Specialists years ago. My first order of business was to take a plung is the icey water and bask on the little beach.

This photo is courtesy of the fine travel photographer, Eric Mohl. Eric and his wife, writer  Karen Catchpole  of Trans Americas Journey were my companions on this wild descent.

Descending into Urique Canyon

Once again last week I headed down into Copper Canyon. This time with Eric Mohl and Karen Catchpole of Trans Americas Journey .These two travel experts were great companions in the Copper Canyon area for two weeks…just banging around experiencing out of the way places.

This time I rode a horse…one of the fine steeds from Pepe at Cabanas Diaz. Suffice to say that I was glad I rode, but it was one of the wildest rides I have ever done. This Copper Canyon trail is one of the wildest on earth.

We saw so much and had so many experiences…the new telocarril, full moon at the bottom, a good swim in the Urique River, meeting Raramuri along the way like this young woman, feasting on fresh orages from the groves, and so much more.

I will write more in the next few days.

Just back from Copper Canyon

A full month…traveling with some video guys from Canada and the with Eric Mohl and Karen Catchpole of Trans-Americas. The above photo is a great example of Eric’s excellent work. Watch their blog for Karen’s excellent travel material.

Good times…and good to be back- our next trip is in just two weeks!

I have so much to write about including this chat with Juan Quezedas at Mata Ortiz.

Another reason I like Copper Canyon so much.

It’s the amiable people.

I jumped on a bus one crisp morning recently headed out of the mountains toward Chihuahua City. It was early and I was waking up as were most of  the people on the bus.

I paid the driver and turned up the isle mumbling “Buenas Dias” to an older guy in the front row. What came back was not just a response from him but a chorus- probably 20-25 Mexican voices- saying “Buenas Dias!” right back to me. In one of the simplest ways, it was heartwarming.

I felt welcomed. And that is one of the reasons I love that place- I am oftem made to feel welcome.

Why I enjoy Copper Canyon so much.

I have asked this question many times. What draws me to this place? Why do I enjoy it more each time I go? Like this is my job….shouldn’t I get tired of it? What makes me smile and often break out laughing when I am there. What made that stranger I met in Areponapuchi spontaneously say “Dave, you are happy!”?

Certainly it is the immensity and ruralness of the place. And there is the romance of the train as it rolls up out of Chihuahua into the rugged Sierras. And there is the amiable quality in the people. But I really think I like it because it is like the 1950 times I remember back in Kansas. Simple. Quiet. Home oriented. Good food. Humor.

The faces of Copper Canyon

When we travel in this enchanting land of the Sierra Madres, there are always numerous gaga sights and memorable places…like this ridge above Cerocahui (close to the Bahuichivo CHEPE stop). It was evening after a torential storm. There are more moments and places like this than your camera or your heart can take in.

But the most memorable and meaningful sites and pics are the faces of the people. This little guy was hanging out at the church in the tiny town of Cuiteco as we came back from a long walk to a waterfall on Sunday morning a few weeks ago. When that look of unstoppable optimism shines through a weathered life like that, it leaves a long impression.

Not many people get off of CHEPE at Cuiteco, but it is worth it. I plan to keep it in our itinerary for Copper Canyon train trips as much as possible.

Baja and Copper Canyon…

…the best of two worlds that are beyond belief.

Places like this are so common…a remote beach on an uninhabited island or an area on the mainland where there are no people for miles. So arid and quiet that you can hear it crunch and a little bee or rabbit will be audible. Just to sit at a spot like this alone for a few minutes is in itself a vacation maker. Even in summer, the early morning will be cool enough to keep you in a long sleeve.

 

Couple this with a few days rolling down the romantic CHEPE through Copper Canyon in Chihuahua and Sinaloa and you have a perfect destination vacation.

Our next one is February and I have a few spots at a bargain price.