Saguaros 2014 - Pictures of Beauty - Part A

     We love saguaros!  Over the years we have taken many pictures of the magnificent flowers and incredible fruits of this wonderful symbol of the Sonoran Desert.  Here are our best photos of 2014 posted in 4 different parts.  We hope you enjoy these pictures as much as we enjoyed taking them and as we do in always viewing them.  Here are our 2014 pictures of the beautiful and majestic saguaro cacti of Arizona's Sonoran Desert!

May 9, 2014 - the blooming is here again!

May 10 - a bee works the crown of flowers

May 10 -These blooms are along the side of the cactus

May 11 - More working bees

May 11, 2014

May 15 - up close to these buds

May 15 - Wow! Just beautiful!

May 16

May 17 - Twin beauties!

May 17

May 18 - Incredible!

May 18

May 18 - Beauty everywhere

May 18 - looking down

May 18

May 18 - the bloom only stays open 24 hours

May 19

May 19

May 19 - yesterdays flower has closed leaving only the stigma exposed

May 19 - yesterday's flower is closed; today's blooms await pollination

May 20

May 20 - Sonoran Desert scene

May 20

May 21

May 21

May 21 - A desert bouquet - Is there anything more beauty?

May 21 - Wow!  Is that beautiful or what?

Ridin' That Ol' Mule Into The Canyon

     This trail-boss could have been John Wayne’s sister.  With her slight swagger and no-nonsense tone, you knew by the end of the first sentence that she had found her way down into the depths on a mule many times.  She wanted to make it perfectly clear what each rider had signed up for; all cards were on the table…
     “If you think this ride is gonna be easy, you’re wrong!  By the end of this day your back will hurt, your arms will hurt and your ankles will hurt.  You might be cold then hot. Don’t take it personal but you might get yelled at for not keeping your mule under control.  Anyone wanting their money back, say so now!”
    Xanterra, L.L.C. is the authorized concessionaire of the National Park Service’s South Rim Mule Trips.  Their mules for the canyon riders have been selected for their gentleness, endurance, temperament and strength.  They are trained and well adapted for the amazing environment and unique working conditions of the Grand Canyon.  An element of risk is certainly involved in this Arizona adventure and all riders must sign a risk acknowledgment agreement before hitting the trail.
    Riders must also qualify to make this journey through time.  Each rider may not weigh more than 200 pounds fully dressed.  And yes, all riders do weigh in!  Each rider has to be at least 4’7” in height regardless of previous riding experience. 
     In addition each rider need to be able to speak and understand English so as to understand the trail boss’ instructions.   Each rider must be able to mount and dismount a mule without assistance and be in good physical condition.  Finally, riders should not be fearful of heights or large animals.
     When the riders meet all the listed qualifications, they gather together at the trailhead for mule assignment.  Each mule has a specific name and the trail guides size up the canyon riders to match them with the perfect mule.  When all instructions are completed and all mules assigned, the shout of “mount up” is given and the 7-hour ride into and out of the Grand Canyon begins.
     The Bright Angel Trail drops off the South Rim through a series of switchbacks.  Mule trains always have the right-of-way over trail hikers.  When the two meet on the Bright Angel Trail, trail etiquette requires the hiker to move to the outside of the trail, giving the mule train plenty of clearance.
    Young Charley A., who calls himself the ‘Arizona Adventurer’, was a recent mule rider on the Bright Angel Trail into the Grand Canyon.  He came West looking for adventures.  Even though he couldn’t get anyone to brave the day trip with him, he saddled up, gave a slight nod after hearing all the ridin’ directions and waved to the curious bystanders that wished all the riders “good luck” as they descended into the chasm.  He states of his journey…
    “The trip to the bottom of the Grand Canyon was fantastic! At first the ride seemed quite precarious. The mules were a little restless with there being ice on the ground, but with enough passage of time, they became more comfortable; and with that so did I.
    The views from most all vantage points were extreme, many looking down steeply onto large escarpments and fields that lay cloven between. At the base of the great journey, there loomed a cliff that overhung and overlooked the Colorado.
    At the edge of this majestic precipice there lived a tiny squirrel. Tame as most domestics, he loved to snack on crumbs gifted by tourists. We were told not to feed the wildlife, but this little guy stole after food like the seasoned opportunist.
    Traveling back upward, it was slow going and became a little more agonizing. All were glad to end their adventure, but none wished that they had not gone. It was the shared sentiment by all that it was well worth the $145.00!”
    The Bright Angel Trail is probably the most famous of the many trails that plunge off the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and wind their way through space and time down to the Colorado River one mile below.  Named for the nearby tourist lodge that was designed in 1935 by the famous architect, Mary Jane Elizabeth Colter, the Bright Angel Trail is the starting point for one of the most amazing daylong adventures in all of Arizona.
    So as vacation time arrives once again across Arizona, think about traveling to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. When you arrive, ask for that ol’ trail mule named BB.  Then hang on to your saddle horn and let BB take you on a 7-hour ride that you will remember for a lifetime – a mule ride into the Grand Canyon!  


The trailhead of Bright Angel Trail is approximately 200    miles from Anthem.  The GPS coordinates of the Bright Angel Trail is N3603.438 W112 08.618.  For more information about Xanterra’s Mule Rides, visit the following web site: http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/mule-trips-716.html .

Down the trail...

Mules are waiting

"Loveable" BB

BB's friend

Another friendly face

All of BB

Charley listens to the instructions

Switchbacks down,..

From snow to no snow

Grand beauty

Follow the arrows

Wonderful Tubac!

     Going to the town of Tubac is like going back in time.  The Presidio of San Ignacio de Tubac was established along the banks of the Santa Cruz River in 1752 as the result of Spanish soldiers putting down a revolt by local Pima Indians against the King of Spain.  The fifty Spanish soldiers made the Tubac presidio the first permanent European settlement to be established in what would someday become our Arizona.
     The name “Tubac” is believed to have come from a Tohono O’odham word that translate to mean “place of decay”, a reference to the site of a deadly Indian battle.    Father Eusebio Kino first stopped here in 1691 converting the native people and showing them new methods of farming and ways to raise cattle.

     Tubac also holds the honor as the site of Arizona’s first state park.  The Tubac Presidio State Historic Park was established in 1958 and is a wonderful place to enjoy a change of pace from all the artistic and culinary offerings of this Arizona arts festival.
     Visitors to this Arizona State Park will find an underground archeological display that features the ruins of the original fort adobe walls and plaza floor.  In addition the town’s 1885 schoolhouse, a picnic area and an interesting visitors center that tells the story of this historic Arizona town can be a fun adventure for all members of the family.
     When visiting Tubac on any glorious weekend to savor the always present artistic and culinary offerings of the town, let us suggest you consider staying at the Tubac Country Inn.  Innkeepers April and Ivan Drechsler are the perfect inn hosts and all the arts, foods and history of the town are within easy walking distance of this romantic Arizona Bed & Breakfast.

For more information: http://www.tubacarizona.com/