Desert Plants

The temperature was in the 90's today (Saturday). We started the day with a self-guided walking tour of Boyce Thompson Arboretum which features desert plants from around the world. I was mostly interested in identifying the ones that are native to Arizona and New Mexico.  

OUCH!!! Don't touch the Cholla!

Blooming Saguaro

From there we headed south to Saguaro (West) National Park. Since we were going right past Casa Grande Ruins National Park, we decided to stop there on the way. Casa Grande ("Great House") is the largest known structure (4 stories high and 60 feet long) built by the Ancestral People of the Sonoran Desert. We were able to walk around it, but not allowed to enter it.

The roof has been built over Casa Grande to protect the ruins.

 

After a quick stop to see Casa Grande, we continued on to Saguaro National Park, watched the movie at the Visitor Center, drove the loop, and walked a few short trails. (It was too hot for the longer ones.) I am intrigued by the Saguaros and their various personalities and the odd postures they assume. They grow very, very slowly but can live to be 175 to 200 years old and up to 50 ft tall!

Dirt road through the park.

Forest of Saguaros

The sun was very hot.

Barrel cactus

Prickly Pear

 

On our way out of the park there was a bad accident with several police cars, two fire trucks and two ambulances blocking the way. We were stopped on the side of the road for about a half hour before we could get by and head to our campground for the night, Tucson Mountain Campground. There was a beautiful sunset and a full moon. We used our outside shower for the second time this trip:)

Desert sunset

 

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