Saguaro National Park

Above, Saguaro cacti near the visitor center. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I got into Tucson, Arizona after the clampout, I headed to the general area of where Old Tucson Studios were located. The studios open at 10:30, so I had some time to explore as I was a couple of hours early.

Nearby, was the west district (Tucson Mountain District) of Saguaro National Park where a big concentration of saguaro cacti are located. 

Above, Saguaro cacti come in many sizes, heights and shapes. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

From the National Park Service's Saguaro National Park website:

Icon of the Southwest

Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation's largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are protected by Saguaro National Park, to the east and west of the modern city of Tucson. Here you have a chance to see these enormous cacti, silhouetted by the beauty of a magnificent desert sunset.

Above, some blooming desert wildflowers. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Unfortunately, the visitor center wasn't open yet, so I ended up driving around the park on the loop drive. Since it is now springtime, desert wildflowers were blooming.

Above, since the sun was still low in the sky, it made
for some interesting photos. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Visitor entrance fees are paid at the visitor center. Since it wasn't open yet, I couldn't check in. It wouldn't have mattered anyway as I have a Senior Pass for all national parks.

There are no RV campgrounds at this district, but there are some nearby campgrounds a short drive away.

Above, yours truly during my park visit.

For more information, go here.

Spending At Home Depot

Yesterday morning, I had to go into Gallup to go to Home Depot to pick up a new garden hose. The old one was worn out and leaking.

As it frequently happens when shopping at Home Depot, I ended up buying more stuff than originally planned. I got the hose, but I also bought a cactus plant to go on the deck. The cactus was not priced, so I asked a couple of workers to check out the price. 

They came back and said they couldn't find anything, but they did ask it $12 was okay. Having seen cacti like this one priced much higher, I jumped at it and immediately agreed to it. I bought a few other items, including a pot for the cactus and potting soil. When it gets bigger, I'll have to transfer it to a bigger pot.

Here's the cactus: