Today we take the longer 3.5 hour train ride, exiting the Copper Canyon area and heading to the Sea of Cortez. Supposedly we will have been through 86 tunnels and crossed 39 bridges during our two train rides.

We were again in a partially filled Executive Class coach so everyone could spread out and have a window seat if they desired. Uncommon Journeys arranged for us to have a sit-down lunch on the train which turned out to be exceptional in my opinion. Amtrak could learn a bit on how to run a railroad by visiting this one!

The afternoon passed by with ample opportunity to watch the world go by and even take a nap as we headed back to sea level and the colonial town of  El Fuerte where we will be spending the night.

El Fuerte is a small town (population of ~13,000) in the state of Sinaloa. The hotel we will be staying at- Posada Hidalgo is famous as it was supposedly the birthplace of Don Diego de La Vega, known as “El  Zorro (the fox)”, who was sort of the Robin Hood for common and indigenous people in California in the 19th century. It turned out that the hotel and surrounding property were gorgeous and a place where one might want to spend more than one night! Unfortunately we were only here for one night.

Before dinner I did a quick walk around the area where the hotel is located to take a few pictures.

Christopher and Abraham arranged for a light dinner served next to the pool where we had front row seats to a “show” that featured an appearance by El Zorro himself, along with “Mrs. Zorro” and a small Mexican band who provided songs and some dancing involving guests! Yvonne and I were strategically seated to avoid becoming part of the show!

Tomorrow we revert back to travel by van as we head to our last stop on the Sea of Cortez.