Fred L. Whipple Observatory and Desert Blooms!

Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory

 is located in the Santa Rita Range on
Mount Hopkins and the elevations is 8,550 feet.
We can see the observatory from our house.

Multiple Mirror Telescope is a joint facility of the
Smithsonian Institution and the University of Arizona.

 In 1999 the MMT was replaced by a single 6.5-meter mirror.

Tilted on its side, loaded on a semi for a 10 mile trip
 on a single-lane dirt road to the top!
 Amazing!

Fantastic views.

Almost there.
We stopped to see the helicopter landing pad and

 a few smaller telescopes on the ridge
used by several different collages.

 Here is where we stopped for lunch. They took us up
in Suburbans because of the 23% grade and there is no
place for the bus to turn around.

Check out the road to get to the top!

Not very many guide rails.

 Fred L. Whipple Observatory

 The whole building rotates.

They keep it very cool inside because of all the electronics.

Bring a jacket when you plan to visit. 

The white and blue area is the mine and a view of Green Valley.

 Rainbow cactus.

 Back at the Visitor Center.

Scott & Ray playing around!
Since Scott had to get up early,
Ray thought he should take a nap.
The tour is from 8:30 am - 3:00 pm. and it is well
worth your time to learn what the observatory is all about.

We were blessed to see the desert in bloom before
leaving town for four months!
Here are a few examples.

I am saving the best for last. 

Saguaro in Bloom!

Click on the link to see these splendid cactus.

So cute to see the Gambel Quails with their babies running 

across the street as we head out for our summer travels!

Sedona, Arizona

We were blessed to go to Sedona

and spend some time with Julia and Stephen in February.

There are several famous rock formations and places to see.

Chapel of the Holy Cross

Bell Rock

Courthouse 

Coffee Pot 

To climb up Cathedral Rock 

you need to follow the stone cylinder markers.

Beautiful views!

Challenging, rock climbing trail!

It is higher than it looks in this photo.

 After watching a few people navigate it, 

we gave it a try. 

A view from the top of the most challenging part of the trail!

Sure glad we didn't give up. 

It was an awesome view at the top!

Scott having a quiet moment or just

relaxing after a challenging climb.

Now, to climb back down.

 Well, we scooted on our butts part of the way down!

Can you see our car?

Another great day in the southwest!

Titan Missile Museum & Sabino Canyon

Obviously we have taken a little break from the blog 

because there are always a lot of activities 

in our park that we have been involved in.

We were thrilled to have our friends Duane & Sue 

visit us in January!

We went to the

Titan Missile Museum in Green Valley, Arizona

Our tour took us through the section on the right.

You can ride an elevator down on the left side or

climb down the stairs to see the missile and control room.

You are so close you can only get a section in a picture.

View from the top.

It was a fascinating place to visit. 

Another day we drove to Sabino Canyon in Tucson

and experienced the sunrise over the canyon.

It was chilly riding the tram to the trailhead, 

but it warmed up just perfect for a hike.

Duane and Scott climbed to the top!

A Roadrunner greeted us back at the Visitor Center. 

Lots of arms on this Saguaro.
This is a favorite spot for hikers because there are lots of trails.
More next time! 

Organ Pipe National Monument

We also enjoyed going to Organ Pipe 

National Monument with Duane & Sue in January.

Yes, that is the border fence.

Organ Pipe shares 31 miles of international border with Mexico. 

I suggest you sign up for the Ranger led three hour van tour.

They provide so much information and the roads were rough! 

That way you don't have wear and tear on your own vehicle.

 We walked around Quitobaquito Springs for an hour.
That is Mexico on the left. 

Not what you expected in the desert! 

Another view of the border.

 Then we went on a self guided loop tour.

Ajo Mountain Drive is 21 miles winding along 

the Ajo Range foothills. 

Beautiful Sonoran Desert.

 The organ pipe is a large cactus rarely found in the

United States but is common in Mexico.

When you get closer you can see the mutated section in the middle.

Arch Canyon has stunning landscape.

A long day in the car, but it was worth the trip!