We are all set to go, and keen to do so.

Arriving at the US/Mexican border the US Customs official asked “Do you realise you are driving into Mexico?”....mmmmm YES ! Then with a quick check of our papers we are waved on.

On the Mexican side we already have our Temporary Import Papers so it is just a cursory check to see that the VIN numbers match and we are ushered through. Bill has about 45 minutes of paperwork to complete before we are all on our way.

Not at all do we feel uncomfortable, however we still elect to take the Toll Way (Cuota) instead of the free (Libre) local road to Chihuahua.

I also think we are eager to get going.

About 3 hours crossing vast desert plains and at each mountain range we go up to yet another plateau.

Closer to Chihuahua the country is still rising however much greener. Corn, Oats, then vast apples fields.

Chihuahua is a big town full of Walmarts, Mackers. shopping centres and some time back the capital of Mexico.

During our last attempt to cross the Presidio/Ojinaga border we were given an introduction to the Mennonite Community. The guy turned out he owned a hotel so we camped in the car park.

Camp 214:  La Huerta Hotel car park

Cost: MXP Nil - Finally a cool 16 Degrees

N28* 29.281 W106* 54.656

Today : 434Kms.  

Trip Total :83,821 Km

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=28.48798,-106.91083&ll=28.48798,-106.91083&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

Friday 14th September:

First stop was the Mennonite Museum. Very interesting learning of the movements of this religious group. Under persecution in Europe in the 1500’s they moved to Russia and were successful farmers, then to Canada in the 1800’s and again prosperous wheat farmers. However after WWI the German speaking community were somewhat encouraged to move. Here in the Chihuahua area they have established themselves as great farmers.

Another successful sideline is refurbishing 2nd hand farm machinery, H’way 5 is lined with rebuilt John Deere Tractors, Caterpillar dozers etc.

John Deere spare parts department, and an oldie.

Driving west towards the Copper Canyon we go up hills but never down. Then twisting roads following the rail line.

At the small railway stop of El Divisadero, the local/tourist train arrives as we park up.

The area is a hive of activity as the local Creel people offer all sorts of items to the 20 minute crowd.

Copper Canyon is vast, bigger than the Grand canyon. We will explore more of the area over the next few days.

Our camp is overlooking the canyon. Rain has set in this evening so we are lucky up to now.

Camp 215: Copper Canyon - El Divisadero

Cost: MXP Nil

N27* 31.601 W107* 49.662

Today : 219Kms.  

Trip Total :84,040 Km...

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=27.52672,-107.82773&ll=27.52672,-107.82773&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

Saturday 15th September:- The road to Urique

The road started as a new sealed construction that soon ended.

In the small town of Bahuichivo we turned to a lesser road, I guess the rail crossing was a clear indication of what was before us.

The road narrowed and began to twist and turn as it wound up and down canyons.

It is a Granite type country covered with pines,  the flatter areas are dotted with a few corn fields.

In more isolated areas marijuana is the cash crop.

Everywhere the locals are friendly and wave from their fields or the back of utes.

We are at 2,500 metres and have our first sighting of the Urique Canyon.

The town of Urique down on the rivers edge.

It is a great drive - Should be featured in “Worlds most dangerous Roads” - we loved it !

Mostly a single lane chipped out of the side of vertical cliff faces.

Fallen rocks are scattered along the road, in fact one the size of a football just missed us.

At 2,000 metres we come to a viewing area called Mirador Cerro Del Gallego.

The view impressive down the valley.

The town is 1,500 metres directly below us and by the GPS only 6.5kms away so we expect a steep descent. We can see the road zig zag its way down

And that is what it did.

Numerous switchbacks, lock to lock turns and constantly down.

The GPS track winds back and forth across the screen.

The road is wet and rocky, fortunately not slippery. The edges very close.

We are trying to get to Batopilas in the next canyon but it seems the river has washed out three bridges !

We are lead through town by a local who shows us the river crossing - obviously not negotiable.

In fact all roads are closed apart from the one we just came in on.

Thus at dusk we start climbing back up the zig zags to the viewing area for camp.

Just as we reach camp we see these guys on a Billy Cart and their dog racing down the hill...CRAZY FUN!

Camp 216: Urique Canyon

Mirador Cerro Del Gallego Lookout - 1750 metres

Cost: MXP Nil

N27* 14.097 W107* 56.461

Today: 126Kms.  

Trip Total :84,166 Km

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=27.23509,-107.94087&ll=27.23509,-107.94087&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1