Wild Flowers, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona

From the high desert of Texas in late February to the desert of Arizona in March the landscape sprouted with color.

Arizona has received snow and rain in 2019 that is a rare occurrence.  This has allowed the flowers to bloom early, usually this takes place during July/August when the monsoon season arrives.

Driving along route 86 west towards
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
late in March.

A beautiful palette of purple, oranges and greens.

The landscaping at the visitor center at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.
The cactus you see here are the organ pipe cactus only found
in the park.  This park borders the Mexican border.

I would have liked to identify these flowers for the posting but decided against buying
a wild flower book because of our limited storage in the "moose".
I can always edit this posting if they get identified, so if you know their name
let me know and I'll update this posting.

This was taken in Big Bend National Park in Texas.

Early March driving in south east Arizona on Apache Pass returning from
Chiricahua National Monument.

As we entered New Mexico north of El Paso Texas we were able to stop at a
Rest Area to take this picture and learn that these flowers are Mexican Poppies.

Kitt Peak National Observatory

The largest collection of telescopes on Kitt Peak is located high above the Sonoran Desert under some of the finest night skies in the world, on the Tohono O'odham nation.

We were able to park The Moose at the bottom of the mountain and drive the jeep up to the observatory.  It was 12 miles to the top where 26 various telescopes are positioned.  We took the quick self guided tour of the mountain, guided tours are available.  I would love to go back to participate in this program. "Nightly Observing Program."  The evening begins with a light supper, followed by a dramatic sunset viewing.  The guides then show you how to use star charts to navigate the sky and lead you on a binocular tour of the heavens.  Then, you take turns viewing through one of the telescopes at several objects.  Next time around we are doing this.

On top of the mountain with the telescopes was a visitor center, dormitories and services to maintain the facility.

Deck playing with the plasma display.

Spectacular view from the solar scope looking back at the observatory.

McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope.  

Looking out from the top of the mountain.

It was amazing to be able to look in any direction and see so far away.

Being so high up in the mountains was awesome, the sights were breathtaking.  

Deck took this panoramic shot. It is a 180 degree view from the observatory to the mountain ridge.

Some of the roads had drop offs like this one sure
wouldn't want to test that guard rail.

West side of Tucson, Gilbert Ray County Campground

Were surrounded by Cacti which makes a cozy little spot.

There are mountains out the front window of the camper.

Our day time view of the mountains.

It was a cloudy day until sunset.  At the last moment the sun cast the red onto the mountains,
within the blink of an eye it was all gone.

Check out Moose with a two foot round
Saguaro right out the window.

Our campground was off Kinney Rd., and well,
my maiden name was Kinney.

We rode our bikes around the campground and found many vehicles with their hoods up.  Upon inquiring, we were told that their are pakrats in the desert that will eat your rubber and electrical wires.  To ward this off, open your hood at night and put on lights to deter them.  Guess it worked everything seemed fine after two nights.

Saguaro National Park, Mission San Xavier Del Bac, Tubac, Arizona

A hike in Saguaro National Park just East of Tucson.  There is also a Saguaro National Park West of Tucson.  

Watch out for thorns, everything out here has them.  Got some stuck on the side of my shoe and it went right through the fabric.  

Here,s a small one, about 15 feet tall

This one is about 20 feet tall

About 30 with lots of arms

Perfect

Here we are on the trail

Starting in the 1690's, Catholic missionaries - most notably the Jesuit priest Eusebio Kino - founded a number of missions in what is now southern Arizona. The beautiful San Xavier del Bac Mission near Tucson is generally recognized as the oldest intact church in the state.  The "White Dove of the Desert" was founded in 1692. They hold daily mass and full services on the weekend.

The inside of the church has been restored to it's original state.

Tubac an art community 45 miles south of Tucson and 25 miles north of the Mexican border.

Looking down main street in Tubac

Once you arrive, everything is within walking distance including galleries, restaurants, bars, furniture, kitchen gadgets, pottery, jewelry, wall hangings, sculptures and rugs, we spent the day and didn't get into all the stores and markets.