Saguaro National Park East

We hiked a bit in the park today. There are many short interconnecting trails in the Cactus Forest area. (It is hardly a forest any more as many of the Saguaros died after prolonged freezes. But they are repopulating.

Bruce on the Pink Hill Trail. 

Fruits on a Staghorn cactus. 

Javelina Hills. 

The internal wooden structure of a Saguaro

Helen

More from Ajo

I have some more pics from Ajo that I just have to share. 

The Franciscan Mission is now a museum. 

Inside. 

Outside. 

Bruce outside. 

Helen

Sweetwater Wetlands - Tucson, Arizona, January 29, 2015

Sweetwater Wetlands in Tucson - always a fun place to visit

Vermilion Flycatcher

Pied-billed Grebe

Greater Roadrunner

Yellow-headed Blackbirds at dusk - Sweetwater Wetlands - Tucson

Bruce

Surprises

There are some surprising rest rooms in this country. 

In New Mexico. 

In Arizona. 

Helen

Ajo, historic mining town

The copper mine was built where the Spanish had earlier had a silver and gold mine. The head of the mine wanted to keep the miners happy so he planned a model town and better housing than other mines provided for their workers. 

One of the houses provided for a white miner. The Natine American and Hispanic miners each had separate villages. 

One side of the plaza. 

The open pit mine, which is no longer in operation. It is a mile and a half across at the top and over s 1000 feet deep. 

The museum at the mine was extremely interesting, and the volunteer who formerly worked with the mine, a fount of information. 

Helen

Morning after the rain

It was an all day rain, and I never left the camper, though Bruce put on his rain gear, walked and biked in the morning. We spent the rest of the day visiting with new friends, Ray and Kay, who were part of the Red Tank hiking group. 

The dark clouds with shafts of sunlight playing on the mountains and fields of cacti was lovely.

Raindrops on cholla. 

And on Creasote Bush. 

Sun on Twin Peaks. Picture taken from Twin Peaks Campground in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. 

Helen

Rainy day in the desert

Today it rains, thwarting a hike we were planning to do in Estes Canyon. The desert is fragrant with the scent of the Creasote bushes.

Rain on the motorhome window dims the view of the cacti. 

Ajo mountains, where we had planned to hike today. 

This is an Organ Pipe Cactus, named for its appearance. But, it sings!  When the wind blows through its needles, it makes a lovely sound.  In it's natural, peaceful way, it rivals pipe organs.

"Grandfather Organ Pipe" has pipes as large small Saguaros. It sang beautifully to us. 

Helen