Tucson, Arizona: Our coughs/colds are much improved. My thumb gash is healing. Time to get away from the satellite internet issues and get ourselves out into the desert. Today we visited the western half of Saguaro National Park. This is our fourth or fifth trip to the park - always a favorite. We drove all the scenic roads and loops, hiked many of the trails and I took so many photos - 25 of which I will share with you.
Sorry in advance.
Our first stop was to the Visitor Center, where we talked with the rangers, looked-over the displays and purchased a fat stack of postcards.
This is the view from behind the Visitor Center - acre after acre of saguaro cactus!
Dead Saguaro & a beautiful Saguaro Cactus
Top of a large Saguaro & Prickly Pear Cactus growing at base of Ocotillo
Ouch - close-up of a Prickly Pear Cactus paddle.This plant is edible - and delicious - after the spines are removed.
One of our stops today was to the Valley View hiking area. Here, we found a great variety of plant life.
Barrel Cactus
Close-up of blooms at top of Barrel Cactus (like miniature pineapples!)
Valley View in Saguaro National Park
DT reads an informational sign along the Valley View Trail in Saguaro National Park
Fruit on the tip of a Pencil Cholla Cactus
Typical scene along the trail at Valley View in Saguaro National Park
Dave with a Saguaro
We saw several lizards in the park today. (Photo by My Driver)
Close-up of an Ocotillo branch. This cactus is not dead.After a little rain, a ocotillo with leaf-out within two days and blossom with vibrant red flowers.
This is a Teddy Bear Cholla (pronounced Choy-yah)
Close-up of a Teddy Bear Cholla. I don't think I would want to snuggle with this Teddy Bear!
Speaking of close-ups - this is the tip of a Saguaro "arm"
Very impressive Giants in Saguaro National Park
Another area we visited today was Signal Hill. Here, on a rocky outcropping are many petroglyphs left by the Hohokam people around 800 years ago.
So many petroglyphs in one area!
Does this represent the sun?
Where the deer & the antelope play?
This airy tree, with a bright green trunk and foliage is a Palo Verde - the State Tree of Arizona
Saguaro National Park
The above photo is a good representation of the park - a virtual forest of massive Saguaro cactus as far as the eye can see. We are so blessed that our country has protected these massive forests for everyone to enjoy!
Until my next update, I remain, your Shabbat Shalom from our motorhome to yours correspondent.
RV Park: Rincon Country West RV Resort - mostly park models, but also RV sites for rent by the day, week or month. Loads of recreation and activities, pool, hot tub, security, recycling, gravel full-hook-up back-in sites with 30/50 amp. Cement patio and picnic table. Under flight pattern of military jets during the day. We paid $38 per night.