Organ Pipe National Monument Arizona and Petroglyphs

We have left Tucson, Az. and made a short stop in Gila Bend, Az. for a couple of days to make a couple of day trips.  One to Organ Pipe heading south to the Mexican Border and one to a local spot, Petroglyphs at Painted Rock Az.., about 20 miles west of Gila Bend on the I8.

We were educated on the difference between a Saguaro cactus and a Organ Pipe cactus.

A Organ Pipe Cactus has separate arms that come up right from the ground.

A Saguaro cactus develops its arms from the trunk.

Learn something new everyday. There is still many more Saguaro cactus then there is Organ Pipe.

  There was a twenty one mile scenic drive thru the park.  Not a nice road, mostly dirt.  Did a lot of bouncing around and drove very slow, but worth it.  Poor car got all covered in dust and then last night we got a little sprinkle of rain so it really looks like a little pigpen.

The blooming along the road was awesome, It is definitely the most flowering that we have seen in the desert.

 

We also came across a arch on top of another arch.

One of the towns we passed through was Why, Az.

Here are some more pictures.
Hope you enjoy

Organ Pipe

Today we took a short trip out of town to check out the Petroglyphs.  One bunch of rocks out in the middle of nowhere with petroglyphs all over them.  This area is a part of the Butterfield Stagecoach route.  Also has a no hookup campground.

Also noted a little wild life hanging out in the area.

Hope you enjoy the pictures

Petroglyphs

Our next adventure will be spending a week in Monument Valley, have to get the heavy clothes back out we will be going from the 80's to 60's for daytime temps and some 30's at night.  Might have to dig out the heated water hose again.

Living the dream.

Tucson - Saguaro National Park

We are still in Tucson, will be here until March 26th.  It is starting to warm up.  Mid-eighties during the day..AC in the afternoon weather.  Time to get ready to head North.....

Saguaro National Park

Saguaro National Park has two districts. The Rincon Mountain District is located to the East of Tucson Arizona and the Tucson Mountain District is located to the West of Tucson AZ. In 1933 Saguaro National Monument was created. The Saguaro Wilderness Area of 71,400 acres was added in 1975. Saguaro National Park was created from these areas in 1994 and currently encompasses 91,327 acres in its two districts. The Eastern Rincon Mountain District rises to over 8,000 feet and includes over 128 miles of trails. The Western Tucson Mountain District is generally lower in elevation with a denser saguaro forest.

Saguaro is different than the deserts we are used to seeing in southern California.  Lots more vegetation and green.

We did find some blooming but nothing like the super blooms they are talking about in some of the deserts in the southwest.  We visited both West and East and they were pretty close to the same.  We went back and took the loop on the East side again early this week hoping to see more blooming.

The Giant Saguaro is the most fascinating plant of the Sonoran Desert. It's skin is tough and waxy and its woody skeleton is concealed inside the plant. The trunk and arms are pleated like an accordion and can expand or contract with the amount of water taken in. In the place of leaves the Saguaro has thousands of spines to shade and protect itself.

Each plant seems to have a personality of its own.

 

 

 

It was very interesting and we really enjoyed the drive.  I would recommend this area to everyone passing though to spend a few days and take a few drives.  We haven't seen everything but we are planning on spending a couple of months here next winter so we are saving some things for next year.

I have added a link to more of the pictures that we took, Hope you enjoy.

Saguaro National Park

Retired-Living the Dream.