Saguaro National Park (West)

After a short hike to the top of Signal Hill we saw many 

petroglyphs in the Hohokum style which are 

geometric shapes, stick figures, game animals and snakes.

The annual saguaro fruit harvest on park land is a 

significant tradition still practiced today 

by the Tohono O'Odham people.

Ez-Kim-In-Zin

  Several picnic shelters were built by the CCC in the 1930's. 

 Can you image relaxing and eating your lunch here
with this view?

It is interesting how they use the ribs of cacti for the ceiling.

 We went back to Saguaro National Park the next day.
 They have so many presentations and programs.
 Get out when you can and visit the National Parks!

I used the super vivid setting on our camera
for these two photos.

We had an awesome opportunity to attend
Moon Over the Mountains in the park.
What we didn't know was, a local musician from Tucson
would entertain us for the night!

"Of all the paths you take in life, 

make sure a few of them are dirt."

John Muir

Picacho Peak

On December 1st we moved from Tombstone

to Red Rock, Arizona.

 There were two nights below freezing before we left

but the daytime temperatures were in the 50's - 60's.

The trees started to loose their leaves after the freeze. 

Can anyone tell me why this could be a problem?
(Answer below)

Picacho Peak from our patio.

Some views as we walked around the RV park.

Two things you will not see in Iowa.

1. Socks on cactus.

2. Bales of Pima Cotton.

Picacho Peak State Park
It is time for another hike!
 
Amazing views

This is the trail through the Sonoran desert.

After several narrow switchbacks we reached the first cable.

The trail got really steep!

Too steep for us! This is where we stopped.

Fabulous views on this five hour hike.
We were sore for a few days but the Jacuzzi helped.

Luminaria Nights at the Tucson Botanical Gardens.

About five acres were lit up with luminaries. 

There were several entertainers stationed around the gardens
that we enjoyed, especially the bluegrass band.
They had many different instruments including
a washboard player.

It has been our tradition on Christmas Eve to drive around
Waterbury in Des Moines to see the luminaries
with family and friends. We really enjoyed
continuing this tradition in Arizona.

 Answer: Scott and Dairy Queen at the same exit! 

Life is like ice cream, enjoy it before it melts.

Chiricahua National Monument & Fort Bowie

Chiricahua National Monument is a 90 minute drive 

northeast of Tombstone. 

The Chiricahua Apache called these pinnacles

 "standing up rocks."

Cochise Head Rock is a profile of 

the Chiricahua Apache chief. 

These rocks were formed from the Turkey Creek Volcano

 millions of years ago. These super-heated ash particles

 melted together, forming layers of gray rock called rhyolite.

Cool lookout!

This apparatus was interesting. 

You read the plaque underneath and then slide the barrel over 

to find different formations, and mountains.  

An example is this formation called the Totem Pole 

which is only 3 feet wide!

A beautiful Mexican Jay bird.

Do you think this rock formation looks like a bird?

Amazing scenery!

One of many balanced rocks we saw on our hike.

Interesting grottoes.

Organ Pipe Formation

After traveling down eight miles of gravel road, we ended 

up in the parking lot where you then had to hike another 

mile and a half just to get to the visitor center! 

It was already late in the afternoon and we were running 

out of daylight. We walked to the first ruin 

and turned around and decided to find the handicap entrance. 

Back in the car and another five miles of gravel and some 

paved roads. The gate was locked but we saw the path.

 Definitely not handicap accessible 

but only 900 feet to reach the ruins.

This is such a remote place most people
wouldn't take the time to get here.

There were 38 structures in Fort Bowie 

when it was abandoned in 1894.

Guard House 

Cavalry Barracks

Powder Magazine

For over 20 years Fort Bowie and Apache Pass were central to 

U.S. Army operations against the Chiricahua Apaches 

for control of the region.
Click here for more information about Fort Bowie.

May you walk through the world and know its beauty 
all the days of your life.