I just got back from another awesome after-Christmas desert road trip with a couple of thousand photos—memories that will sustain me until next Christmas when I'll do it all over again.
OK, in the interest of full disclosure, I will admit that a few plants and rocks came home with me, too. And another metal mariachi musician, a younger brother to the two that have taken up residence in our front yard.
I'll have many posts in the weeks and months to come. For now, here's a random jumble of snapshots that capture the highlights of my trip. Consider it an appetizer.
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| Highway 247, western San Bernardino County, California; my trusty steed on the right |
I saw beautiful landscapes, both natural...
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| Ocotillos freshly leafed out after first winter rains, Waterman Mountains, Arizona |
...and man-made:
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| Totem pole cactus, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, Arizona |
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| Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, Arizona |
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| Cactus Garden, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, Arizona |
I saw wondrous plants:
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| Ferocactus pilosus, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, Arizona |
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| Ferocactus rectispinus, Pima Prickly Park, Tucson, Arizona |
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| Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, Arizona |
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| Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, Arizona |
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| Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, Arizona |
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| Pima Prickly Park, Tucson, Arizona |
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| Opuntia 'Wooly Jacket' and ocotillo, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, Arizona |
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| Totem pole cactus, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, Arizona |
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| Yucca rostrata, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, Arizona |
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| Aloidendron dichotomum flowers, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, Arizona |
I saw majestic desert silhouettes:
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| Saguaro, Tohono Chul Park, Tucson, Arizona |
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| Saguaro and organ pipe cactus, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Why, Arizona |
I saw centuries-old building:
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| Tumacácori Mission, Tumacácori, Arizona |
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| Immaculate Conception Church, Ajo, Arizona |
I saw all kinds of animals:
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| Tohono Chul Park, Tucson, Arizona |
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| Tubac, Arizona |
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| Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, Arizona |
I saw murals in vibrant colors:
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| Tubac, Arizona |
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Hotel McCoy, Tucson, Arizona
(enthusiastic plug: I've stayed at many motels and hotels in Tucson over the years, but Hotel McCoy is my new favorite—great website, too) |
And I saw snow:
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| Joshua Tree National Park, San Bernardino County, California |
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| Joshua Tree National Park, San Bernardino County, California |
Seeing Joshua trees in the snow was a phenomenal ending to a memorable trip.
RELATED POSTS:
December 2019 Arizona trip index
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Are we going to see an entire mariachi band in your garden one day? I'm surprised at how much I like that mural in Tubac, Arizona.
ReplyDeleteThe mariachi band prefers to be a trio. Any more, and they're likely to start arguing.
DeleteI liked that mural, too. The colors are irresistible.
Welcome home. If this teaser of a post is an indication of things to come, then we are in for a good virtual journey. The Saguaro silhouette against the sky is magical. Didn't you want to ride the metal horse home? Its an awesome horse!
ReplyDeleteThis was a good trip. I'm very happy with the photos I got.
DeleteWelcome home. Some really stunning shots. The red-spined Ferocactus and backlit cholla is a stunner. Chuckled over the green penguins. Don't believe there was ever a prehistoric descendant in that part of the world.
ReplyDeletePenguins, meerkats, crocodiles in Arizona--who knew!
DeleteNever having been to Joshua Tree National Park I'm loving those photos especially. But I want to see it all..bring it all on!
ReplyDeleteI was keeping my fingers crossed for snow in Joshua Tree NP, and I lucked out!
DeleteLooking forward to all of your upcoming posts. Must have been an amazing trip. Tho I'm sure you appreciate your alone-time in the vast, beautiful desert, you should consider doing this as a tour for other cactus freaks.
ReplyDeleteI love solo road trips. My favorite way of regaining my mental health :-).
DeleteSmall tours with other liked-minded succulent aficionados could be a lot of fun.
Beautiful photos Gerhard as always great way to spend the New Years...
ReplyDeleteThank you, and Happy New Year!
DeleteThanks for these initial memories, looking forward forward to more to come!
ReplyDeleteThanks for being along for the ride!
DeleteWonderful photos--must have been a great trip, and snow on Joshua trees, nothing better.
ReplyDeleteIt *was* a good trip. I was able to forget about work and the daily pressures, and I felt much lighter driving home. Lighter in a metaphorical sense, because the car was plenty heavy with rocks I picked up here and there.
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