I will get you hands on in Baja...

You will have the time of your life…lots of experiences in places where there in no English, plenty of time on the train (other groups sometimes are onthe train for only one day!- We include the full train experience through the heart of the Sierras- twice!), and time each day to kick back and just experience the little towns and people along the way.

I cxan set you up with a custom trip…even personalized if you like.

Call me today at 217.369.9897 or email davehensleigh@gmail.com.

You will fully experience this great railway to the full on your trip...even walk through a tunnel if you want!

A true train lover at home in Copper Canyon

People enjoy riding the rails through this vast land with Dave Hensleigh, and he enjoys it too. His experience, his keen insight on the land and culture of the country, his unbridled passion for the experience there- all of this combines to make him the ideal Copper guide.

Dave hails from rural roots in Kansas and was educated in the Midwest and Texas, earning an undergrad in Math and a masters in Biology. All through his youth, the trails, mountains, grasslands and wild places of the Midwest and West were his haunt. One summer in college was spent roaming Yosemite, and ever since backpacking the Sierras has been a hobby.

Horses are one of Dave's things...and a pony is a great way to climb out of Copper.

For thirty years, Dave has been leading groups of people on trips and adventures and his cumulative experience in this work is vast. Several years ago he connected with Copper Canyon, fell in love with the place and its people and immersed himself in the Sierra Madre culture.

He started Authentic Copper Canyon with a vision to give curious travelers a vivid experience in the true life of Copper and its people- not simply a vacation or resort experience. Dave is a relationship machine- no one on the train is a stranger. He is curious and loves to facilitate the serendipitous journeys that Authentic Copper Canyon is famous for

Relaxing on the front stoop of an old Pancho Villa haunt.

Travel with Dave for just a day and you will know about the place, you will meet and enjoy some new Mexican friends…and your life will be enriched.

Eric shooting at Paquime near Casas Grandes.

The way these two operate, the schedule is flex, the food will be tried, the good light will be waited for, the people will be met and enjoyed, the sunset will be taken in, the beer will be quaffed, the laughing will linger…you get the idea. Best “guests”- they seem like family now- I ever had.

Watch in the next few days for articles on Copper by this creative and hard working duo in your major newspapers- and perhaps a few bootlegged copies in your Schenectady (sp) Paralyzer (sp).

Eric studying Tarahumara weaver at Posada.

One of the pics in the blog is of this little lady weaving at the remote station at Posada Barrancas (near Areponapuchi). I was amazed to see him sit for an extended time taking in her skill…as Karen sat and scratched notes. We were all waiting for the train going westward.

Dave at the mighty cascada near Cusarare...Yosemite dejavu

I am 60 now and regular lab work and checkups are recommended. Problem is I live in the US, we are not below the poverty level, and we are uninsurable. So since I regularly  take groups to Mexico, I decided to try getting this essential work done down there.

So one day I was at my dentists office (I will write later about this interesting and excellent  series of visits to get my teeth worked on). I asked Juan the dentist if he knew of a good physician, explaining that I needed a checkup. He smiled and looked up the number of Dr Ochoa, and I asked if he thought I could get in today. He called and in 20 minutes I was sitting in the office of the doctor.

His exam of me (as with all medical and dental care I have experienced in Mexico) was professional, complete, patient centered, and inexpensive- I should say inexpensive by US standards. He asked questions, listened, understood….a very good experience.

He ordered lab work which I got done a few weeks later when I was back in Mexico. The lab was a modest facility, and the waiting room was crowded when I arrived. Everyone greeted me with a “Buenos dias!” as I entered, and though the room was crowded, people were getting in and things were moving along.

As I waited I met several people including a gentleman who gave me his card. He was a rep/ facilitator for people who have a card which gives the poor and elderly free care. I discovered that he was there circulating in the room to be sure people’s questions were answered and that their needs were being met. I was amazed- like can you get a straight answer from Medicare in this country or get anything without a confusing long call and lots of menus to navigate? And what the Mexicans have is a rep in the waiting room of the clinic to be sure people’s needs are met.

So I get into the lab and there is no waiting. No waiting. This is just a small lab/clinic but instantly a nurse moves the various procedures along. A doctor appears and quickly expedites some heart related tests and questions. I am in and out of X-ray and before I know it I am back in the waiting room ready to pay my bill- which is a little under $200…$178 I think it was. (I paid for this sort of routine in the US several years ago- I believe it was app $1,200). As I wait in a short line to pay, the Mexicans signal me to the front- I only have a short transaction and gracious courtesy is usual to experience.

Tell me what is wrong with this Mexico system. Is this even close to what we experience in the US? Why, if we are going to have a for profit system going related to health care (I am beginning to see this as oxymoronic and immoral), why don’t they truly compete and why haven’t standard aspects of health practice been commoditized- why can’t it be done at Wal-Mart? Seems like it might be better and cheaper. 

I don’t really have a financial choice but to get regular check ups done in Mexico- and I don’t regret this in any way.

Gus and his family with my wife in Arepo.

1. Authentic Copper Canyon gives you much more of a local, connect with the people type of experience. One way we do this is by using an array of skilled, bilingual, local guides. These are folks who live in the little towns along the canyon areas and know it well. One great example of this is Gustavo Lozano. Gus actually lives right in Areponapuchi- near the huge views at Divisadero and Mirador Hotel. Their home is a warm place and our guests always enjoy Gus’s insight and humor.

2.We also often stay at little local ranches or small hotels. This lets you actually interact with local people and eat the delicious truly local norteno food. Contrast this to the larger corporate hotels- they are fine but the staff tends to be more tourist savvy- like lots of English and a bit od cynicism. One great example of this is the little Cabanas Diaz in Areponapuchi. Great food, no English, gracious Chihuahua hospitality- and there is always a horse or two available if you want to explore the area that way.

Evening in the Diaz kitchen with a group.

What is largely ignored is the wealth of culinary delights which originated and now can be enjoyed in the north- especially Chihuahua. Its called Norteno food.

The Basics of Chihauhau Cuisine

This is cowboy country and much of the food reflects that. It is simple, hearty, Meat and vegetable oriented- this is not fine wine country. There are also the direct influences of the Tarahumara Indians (not the Incas) and the Mennonites who migrated there in 1922.

Distinctives of Norteno Foods

Meats are big – including Machacha seen here drying on the ceiling at Cabanas Diaz in Areponapuchi. Also alot of poultry and pork are enjoyed- even goat (cabrito).

The burrito stands will have a wide variety of meats to enjoy. Also the little sandwiches- tortas are often filled with locally prepared meats.

In the markets, be sure to seek out the meat markets- they can be a little smelly, but they give you as great view of all the cuts of meat- including heads, tongues, heart, kidney, etc.

Another distinctive is the wide use of vebetables- especially in the stews or caldos. Carrots, onions, beans, tomatos,etc fill these delicious caldos- and they are often the main dish.

Warm chicken stew at Cabanas Diaz

More on these delights of Chihuahua later.

Remember that you can enjoy and learn about these great foods on our culinary trip called “The Blue Corn Express”.

At the Gallegp Mirador above Urique

When we travel in this enchanting land of the Sierra Madres, there are always numerous gaga sights and memorable places…like this ridge above Urique (close to the Bahuichivo CHEPE stop- check this video up close ). This shot was taken during the rainy season- actually August- a great time to  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.

Cuiteco…a quiet stream, a “main street” with no stores or cafes- like the only place to get a coke is in the living room of “the house with the black door”, the chatter of Tarahumara children at the school beyond the school.

The Tarahumara are so photogenic…yet so shy in their ways. One great resource for their culture and ways is theexcellent book by Jeff Biggers- “In the Sierra Madre”- essential reading for those visiting the canyon.

When we offer trips there, our way is to infuse each day with oppportunities to experience these fascinating people- their language, food, artwork, etc. Oy yes…and their Tesguino! I will have to blog about that soon!

The way we approach our experiences there is to have a rough itinerary and then flex to meet the interests of the group. This make for a vastly different experience than people get with the canned or packaged trips. Time on the train, experiences in little towns, hikes to great views, meeting interesting locals and so on- all of this happens on each trip.

We usually stop at this incredible viewpoint- and then go on down to the bottom to the little town of Urique and enjoy some agua chile- some of the best of Norteno food.

Morning at Lake Arekako

Morning times are always special, and for those who want to catch “Amanacer” we can head for the rim or perhaps a remote lake like this one near Creel.

Some prefer just to enjoy the quiet with a cup of coffee or whatever- the point is , there is flexibility.

One of the features of our trips is to visit little trains along the railway that hardly any people visit. Places like Cusarare, Cuiteco, Temoris, Areponapuchi and many more.

One of my favorites is Cuiteco- it is featured in a new Authentic Copper Canyon video- watch for it in the first few moments.

This photo is taken in Cuiteco at sunrise- a quiet and lovely place.

Recently outside the museum, we watched a local Tarahumara man whittling spoons from cedar logs by hand- like most of the crafts in the area, they are 100% local.

Speaking of crafts we took a walk over to the majestic waterfall outside of town. In that area there were several people selling handmade goods. Near on of the little plank board tables, This Tarahumara girl was weaving shawls. They were selling for about $7 USD. It was a joy to watch her weave along silently.

Actually almost all of what you can buy in the Copper Canyon area is made right there. There are of course some tshirts and hats- but the baskets, bowls, violins and other musical instruments, woven goods etc are almost all made right there- sometimes as you watch.

Anyway the Cusarare waterfall roared away nearby and it took me back to my Yosemite days to stand there in the grandeur.

Hey I will write more later about this great place- but take note that this is the setting of the important book by Jeff Biggers, “In the Sierra Madre“. It truly is as the University of Illinois Press review says “a stunning history”.

Also- if you go to this little town, I highly recommend Berthas Palce as a place to stay. You need to be up for a bit of an adventure, but this is a real experience in a Tarahumara home.

Bertha is a great cook, all is prepared on a wood stove and you will get to experience 3 generations floating around as you eat in the kitchen. Bertha Parar’s cabins are across the bridge after you go through town on the left across the stream. Contact us (davehensleigh@gmail.com if you need better directions- they have no phone) and we will get you hooked up- or just come on one of our trips there!

You may have the experience as I did of holding her newborn grand daughter!

Oh hey…check out this video we did if you love big loud waterfalls.

When we pull up to the bank and walk toward the petro glyphs, Rafael begins to discuss the plants and their medicinal uses- as in this video. He shows us common plants along the trail that will help with sore throat, back pain, tooth ache, nervousness, etc….absolutely fascinating.