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Monday, 3 December 2007 - Woke early to photograph foggy streets of El Fuerte, explored historic landmarks including the Church of the Sacred Heart, the Plaza of Arms, and murals at Posada del Hidalgo, enjoyed a river raft ride spotting herons, ospreys, celebrated our Anniversary back at the hotel, and captured sunset photos over the El Fuerte River and church towers.

mexico2007 — Up early to take photographs in good light. Today there was a fog over the town. Like Creel this looked like a dreary morning.

mexico2007 — The streets of El Fuerte were empty even the street proclaiming Mexican Independence.

mexico2007 — The Church of the Sacred Heart

El Fuerte was founded in 1564 with the name of San Juan Bautista de Carapoa by the Spanish conquistador Don Francisco de Ibarra, the first explorer of the lofty western Sierra Madre mountains.

El Fuerte was founded by the Spaniards in 1564, and later destroyed by the Indians.

mexico2007 — Mural in the grand entrance to the Hotel Posada del Hidalgo. The mural tells the story of the city's history. Here the missionaries construct the mission and church.

mexico2007 — The Plaza of Arms is a beautiful park in the center of town.

The palm trees were imported by an American - I have forgotten who - from Cuba.

mexico2007 — 19th-century bandstand surrounded by graceful palms in the middle of the Plaza of Arms.

mexico2007 — The municipal palace houses the government offices.

El Fuerte became a major trading post for silver miners and gold seekers from the Urique, Batopilas and Rain of Gold mines in the nearby Sierra Madre.

mexico2007 — In 1610 the Viceroy of Montesclaros ordered the construction of El Fuerte (the fort) to ward off the fierce Zuaque and Tehueco Indians, who constantly harassed the Spaniards. El Fuerte was the gateway to the last frontiers of northern Indian territories of Sonora, Arizona and California.

Unfortunately the actual fort is not preserved - nor is the exact location known. This building was erected in 2001.

mexico2007 — After a tour of downtown we boarded a bus for a river raft ride.

The group boarded small rafts for a ride on the El Fuerte River. We were to look for wildlife - particularly birds.

Cal is on the left rear of this raft attempting a bird photo.

Barry Hart took this photo in a trailing raft.

mexico2007 — I am not sure on some of these birds - we had nice charts on the trip but had to give them back.

White Heron

mexico2007 — Grey Heron

mexico2007 — No idea what this black and white bird is - Kingfisher?

mexico2007 — Red birds in a pretty brush.

mexico2007 — Yellow bird - we saw several of these but they were tiny and hard to photograph. Flycatcher?

mexico2007 — This Osprey landed just above our raft. It must have been close to a Heron nest. Several seconds after this picture a Heron landed on the same branch forcing the Osprey to fly off.

mexico2007 — Another Grey Heron

mexico2007 — Headed back to the hotel from the river there are some bougainvillea flowers making a great backdrop.

Here are Mary, Cal, Virginia Ann, Cal and Liz Holman.

mexico2007 — A close up of Cal and Virginia Ann.

mexico2007 — The Mexican flag over the municipal palace.

In 1824, El Fuerte became the capital of what is now the states of Sonora, Sinaloa and part of Arizona. It remained so for several years.

mexico2007 — Lunch was great - especially after the raft trip and all the walking.

We gathered at the La Mesa del General for a good meal.

I really liked the dragon like lights - these were the city streetlights and not part of the restaurant. Interestingly this is the same image as in Creel - if you remember from day 2.

mexico2007 — At lunch we were treated to a fashion show of costumes created to tell the local history.

mexico2007 — As the sun set the sky glowed pink.

mexico2007 — Sunset over the El Fuerte River.

mexico2007 — The church tower in twilight.

I really liked to photograph this tower.

mexico2007 — The Plaza of Arms gazebo in the evening.

mexico2007 — While in El Fuerte de Motesclaros we stayed at the Posada del Hidalgo .

The Posada del Hidalgo is centrally located for exploring El Fuerte. This beautiful hotel is a former colonial mansion built by Senor Rafael Almada in 1890. Most of the original pine beams and furniture were brought by boat from San Francisco, California.

mexico2007 — We stayed in a room off this plaza, number 7, which is lit in the background. This room was where the revolutionary Venustiano Carranza stayed. That year was 1913 and he stayed here from 13-15 Sept.

On March 11, 1917, Venustiano Carranza was elected the first president under the new Mexican Constitution of 1917.

mexico2007 — Casa Vieja section of the hotel is believed to have been the original site of "El Zorro's" (AKA Don Diego de la Vega) house.

Constructed during the 17th and 18th centuries in the city of El Fuerte de Motesclaros, it was the first Spanish garrison in the area. It was strategically placed in front of the old fort both of which were erected on the Carapoa Hill. It was actually more of a stone compound with small iron doors with bars in the front. It was used to confine crooks and enemies of the Spanish Crown from 1650 to 1750.

mexico2007 — The dining room was called the Pinata Room.

mexico2007

mexico2007 — At one end of the Pinata Room was a Christmas tree.

mexico2007 — The staircase outside our room leading to the Pinata Room.

mexico2007 — Patio chair outside a room.

mexico2007 — Unique cutouts and statues all over the hotel grounds. Beautiful artwork in each of the four plazas.

mexico2007 — Stairs up to another plaza of rooms.

mexico2007 — This root was allowed to grow and the plaza tile is laid around the tree.

mexico2007 — Zoro joins us for some dancing fun before dinner. Virginia Ann dances a traditional Spanish dance with the masked man.

mexico2007 — Zoro may have bitten off more than he bargains for - Mary begins to shake rattle and roll.

mexico2007 — Today is 24th anniversary for Virginia Ann and Cal. We were surprised by a cake and celebration.

It will be an anniversary we will not forget in old Mexico.

mexico2007 — And if celebrating 24 years was not enough ...

Our tour guide, Tony Valdez, asked his girlfriend, Leezbeth, to marry him.

mexico2007 — To top the evening's celebration a group of dancers performed traditional dances.

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