Standing next to a Saguaro

Jodi getting in her obligatory Saguaro cactus photo!

Seriously, if you want to shout out, “I’ve been to Arizona,” is there anything else that you’d want to do?  I don’t think so.  The Saguaro cactus is something that screams Arizona!

While on the road in 2006 I totally missed Arizona.  I crossed through the mid-west, hit TX, NM, CO, UT, NV, CA…….and more.  But for some reason Arizona didn’t receive a visit.  It wasn’t until 2007 that I visited Arizona, and at first I wasn’t a big fan.

Coming in from Las Cruses, NM., I stuck to Southern Arizona.  Tucson was the first major stop for a few weeks, and it didn’t do much for me, unlike Rich Luhr.  He found a house in Tucson, although it seems to be rarely used.  Rich, Eleanor, and Emma still seem to spend the bulk of their time in the Airstream on the road.

One thing I did like about the Tucson area was the Saguaro cactus.  You see them in magazines, on TV, on the net…..but until you walk up to one of these cactus you just don’t have a clue.  An amazing plant to be sure!

Spending a few weeks in the Tucson area I had the opportunity to see the Saguaro National Park, and spend time driving around the park and taking a few hikes here and there.  Strange to have such a park on the edge of a large city, but there you go!

After leaving Tucson and spending two weeks at Anza Borrego I found myself traveling through AZ once more.  My plan was to check out Sedona, then head up to Cortez, CO.  I had my eye on a house up there…….

Another take on the chollas near Vulture Mine. Vulture Peak is in the background.

For regular readers, you know the rest of the story.  Accidentally finding Prescott, discovering all the amazing climbing spots here, and staying!

Unlike the lower elevations, Prescott has no Saguaros.  No cool chollas either, and those have turned out to be my favorite cacti.  We’ve got tons of prickly pear cactus, so you know you’re still in a desert state!  😉

Ah……memory lane!

Well, Jodi has hit the road today.  Back to sunny Florida.  And with her she’s taking many photos, many rocks, and the memory of standing next to a Saguaro cactus.  I sure hope she enjoyed her visit.