March 27, 2016
Tucson, AZ
It's time to wrap up our stay here in Tucson and head north on Monday the 28th. First stop will be Camp Verde, about 25 miles south of Sedona. But before we go, there are a few things to wrap up.
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| Before... |
We also had Jeff Fisher, (Fisher's RV Maintenance and Repair), install a Magnum Auto Gen Start. We did not mind a couple of homeless hours to get this done for the safety of our puppies. We just set the temp and enable the AGS before we head out and if the electricity goes off, the generator starts to keep them cool. We have relied on Jeff for 4 years now to take care of all our motor home service and repair needs.
We did not want to leave Tucson with taxes hanging over our heads so last Sunday, we bit the bullet and got it done. What a relief and a biggie to check off the list !
And with it being Easter week-end, we couldn't leave this little, big city without a hunt. So today we took a ride out to Baja Loop Drive to hunt...for saguaro blooms and other pretty things. We did not hit the mother load, but we did find a few things to ooh and aah over. Baja Loop Drive is a sandy road with some washboarding. You can do it in a family car, but anything over 10 mph will not be comfortable. We enjoy the ride and were in no hurry so 10 mph was perfect for us.
Baja Loop Drive is well marked. Just make a right turn off Kinney Rd after you pass the Red Hills Visitor Center in Saguaro NP West.
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| Pam, we did spot a crested just past the VC on Kinney Rd. Have you seen this one? |
The cholla offered the most variety in color.
And the hedgehog cactus were very showy too.
The ocotillo were ablaze with rich vibrant color and there were so many blooming. We sat and watched as this Gila Woodpecker went from flower to flower.
The lower saguaro arms didn't have and flowers, just buds that look like they are ready to explode.
The flowers are always white and emit a strong smell described as overripe fruit. Very important because the bloom last less than 24 hours. They open at night and remain open through the following day. These beauties are pollinated by bats at night and bees and birds during the day.
Until next time, Happy Easter...and
happy trails !
You stayed just long enough in Tucson for the cacti to bloom, even the saguaro!! How beautiful! So glad a few saguaro blooms opened for you:)
ReplyDeleteYes, I did see that crested saguaro:) As a matter of fact, we asked at the VC if there were any near by when we arrived in Tucson. They sent us out to that one. Love the blooming ocotillo in front of it:)
All the blooming cacti this year is wonderful, we managed to see a few before we left the area.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter. Love to see the saguaro in bloom.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter. Great easter bloom hunt for the bloom'n cactus. They have such brilliant blooms. Borrego peaked last week. Safe Travels!
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad the saguaro wait until it gets quite warm to open!!!! Those masses of blooms must be stunning!
ReplyDeleteWe too leave on Monday...heading back to San Diego for another 6 weeks. Looking forward to your Camp Verde posts!
Love the cactus in bloom. Once we get all of our "musts" taken care of, we're going to be off looking for those blooms.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is colorful in the desert this spring. No saguaros here, but everything else is blooming away.
ReplyDeleteWonderful to see the blooms - the chollas are so pretty for such a nasty cactus :-) Ocotillos are always a favorite, but the saquaro blooms are a real catch! We'll be in the Flagstaff/Williams area for a couple weeks if you're continuing this way - maybe we can grab lunch or a brew?
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos Gay. Safe and fun travels to Camp Verde! Congrats on your new molding, looks great!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the cactus blooms & photos of the "Tan Crew". Safe travels to Sedona.
ReplyDeleteNow that was a great send off from all the blooming cacti. And you are right, the cholla flowers gave me a big wow, for I have not seen a cholla blooms before nor the saguaro.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos of the cactus blooms (and ocotillo, too)! We were just commenting on Friday at the Desert Museum how early is seems for cholla to be blooming.
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