Corona de Tucson
May 5, 2023
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| I read that Saguaros are 35+ years old when they bloom. |
During the raising children and working stage of our life, we took the usual vacations staying in condos to the Florida gulf and the Smokey Mountains and didn't venture too far from home. In August of 2000 we purchased our first RV. It was a 28' tow behind.
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| Skidaway Island State Park in Savannah, GA...summer 2003 |
By that time the kiddos had all flown the coop and Helen (Joe's mom who moved in with us in 1995) was living under our care. We think back on those years and are so grateful for Joe's sister Jo and BIL Chuck who graciously gave up a month of their time every summer to come stay in our home to take care of Helen. We enjoyed many trips with that little tow behind for 10 years. It even made a trip from Georgia to Delaware so we could go to the Monster Mile Nascar race in June of 2003. That was the year I saw Richard Petty and Kyle Petty standing on the corner where we exited the huge field used for parking on race day. No one had even noticed them standing there and I was the first to get an autograph. Getting to Delaware, race day, and coming home from Delaware was such a great trip. We adopted Dover in 2007 and that adventure was the reason Dover is named Dover.
The years flew by, the tow behind was traded for a 5th wheel toy hauler and we retired. Visiting the desert was not in our radar. In fact, exploring anything beyond the Mississippi was not on our radar. It wasn't until we were completely on our own in 2011 that we decided to trade the toy hauler and 2003 pick-up for the MH and said, "Westward Ho !" What a thrill ride that was...here, there and places in between for nine years. No matter what the destination...the desert always called us back.
This week we ventured east again towards the Rincon Mountains. Our choice for desert solitude was Garwood Trail in Saguaro NP-East. It was a perfect morning...blue skies and 68 degrees with a light breeze when we arrived at the trailhead at 8:00 am.
Having done this trail a couple of times before, we knew lots of cholla grew here. The cholla blossoms have been lagging behind the other cacti and we were hoping to see lots of color. It was great timing...  |
| golden orange copper... |
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| crimson red |
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| yellow green... |
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| pink red... |
Stands of cholla are called cholla gardens. Individual plants within these colonies often have the same DNA and were "tubercles" from an original plant. It is impossible to capture all the cholla's collective blooming beauty in a single photograph, but here are a few close-ups...
I also think the woody trunks of the cholla trees are camera worthy.
About 1.5 miles into the trail, there is a crested growing on the banks of a dry wash. It is doing well. I love the arms !
The photo below was taken from the trail as we approached the wash.
The Rincon Mountains are a nice backdrop on this trail as it meanders up, down, and around in this tiny little section of the Sonoran Desert. We are happy to call this our backyard...
Back at the oasis it was nice week.
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| Life is good! |
Crested and blooming saguaros are always great to see, but the cholla garden blooms steal the show. I did not know, that like aspen, they clone. Hmmm I still consider the Bristlecone Pine the oldest, no cloning needed ....
ReplyDeleteGood morning Jeff…it has been such a colorful spring in the desert. I agree with you that the cholla did steal the show this year…especially that gorgeous golden copper color. Fingers crossed this is a new weather trend for the desert as we enjoyed lots and lots of rainy days last summer during monsoon season and all winter long.
DeleteAnd I love each and every stroll through your photos! The blooming cholla cactus are gorgeous--I guess I didn't know they bloomed in all different colors. And I also loved your initial stroll back through memory lane--we are very glad you guys ended up in the west.
ReplyDeleteGood morning Janna…thank you on both accounts. It’s pretty cool that what started out as a trip to the Grand Canyon ended up being a life changer for us. And it’s way cool so many friends call the desert home as well. I didn’t realize that cholla had so many colors either…had seen the pinks and reds before, but that golden copper color was new to us and gorgeous.
DeleteWe're so glad you made that initial trek to the desert that had you coming back to make a home! What fun memories, thanks for sharing. I barely remember the cholla in bloom growing up in the desert - their colors are stunning. Like Jeff I didn't realize they cloned like the Aspen. For such funny looking birds, I'm always impressed by the song of the Thrasher. The clan are so cute, living the good life!
ReplyDeleteGood morning Jodee…thank you. I can’t imagine living anywhere else but here. We have never seen the cholla so pretty which has me hoping for another wet summer and winter. I’m sitting on the patio as I write this comment enjoying the Thrasher’s beautiful song although it might just be letting me know the seed block is almost gone.
DeleteThanks for taking us down memory lane with you....I always love reading about friend's voyage! As always, I love your pictures.
ReplyDeleteHi Sue! You’re welcome and thank you. Isn’t it crazy how life happens and evolves? It’s like a puzzle and we don’t get the whole picture until all the pieces are in place. Thank goodness for new days and new pieces!
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