Creel
22 June 2011
Creel
El Chepe once again brought us to a Magical Colonial town this time high in the sierra Tarahurama we were meet by our guide & teacher McClain. After depositing are back packs in are latest home away from home, we are off in his 4x4. What a treat to have our Own show & tell teacher! This intense study into the culture, terrain & customs was both exciting and exhausting all at the same time. We are fascinated by it all! Stopping first to visit the famous Sabastin Tarahurama cave a two family cave just out side of town. Than off to see the natural wonders in the valleys around Creel. Ware a series of rock formations each with it's Own valley capture your imagine. Mushroom Rocks (los Hongos), Frog Rocks (Las Ranas), Saddle Rocks (La Montura), Breast Rocks (Las Chichis) and Elephant Rock. The famous valley of the Monks (penis rocks) a collection of huge rocky columns between 131 & 164 feet tall (I wondered who measured them)? All were formed by wind and water erosion; McClain says many moons ago this was a volcanic area. We visited Lake Arareko an alpine like much like those found in the Sierra Nevada's at home. We just never visualized Mexico with such inner beauty. Than were off to the Casada de Cuzaraie (waterfall's), after a short hike through a forest of pine & oaks trees we arrive. The most powerful (wide) fall's I have ever seen. Cuzaraie is breath taking the sound and smells are up lifting. The Tarahurama name for water is wa wee kee a gift from God. After this it seemed appropriate to visit two adobe missions, de San Ignacio and de Loyola. Both built centuries ago under the guidance of Jesuit padres from Spain. The Padres were sent to save the souls of the locals, they received them well and to this day are very religious people they blend there believes with the Catholic religion and it works well together. Eagles nest the mission and museum of Loyola was a tremendous surprise, here they have gathered the story and people of the Bible paintings. European artists have restored these oil paintings to their original grander. This collection alone is worth the trip, it's presented in both Spanish and English. Returning to Creel for a quite dinner in this alpine mountain town of ancient times, we prepare to move on tomorrow.