Saguaros

We're camping right now at Picacho Peak State Park in Arizona. It's a very nice park, even if it's not really my style. I love camping with atmosphere. This is more like a parking lot, though not in the same way as Guadalupe Mountains, which really was a parking lot. But we've got electricity, a dump station and water nearby, a bathhouse with showers, so life is good. Oh, and Bill's cell service is the best we've had in a long time. AND, the contract he works on was finally turned back on, so he's working again for the first time since Thanksgiving. Truly something to be thankful for in this journey!

Moonrise

I've really been suffering something so very fierce with my allergies in the southwest. We left Pancho Villa State Park quickly because of my difficulties breathing. So when we arrived at Picacho Peak, I sent everyone outside and I cleaned the trailer back to front. I could just smell the dust from NM. That and a double dose of Zyrtec and my Flonase, and I think I'm manageable at this point. In the middle of my self treatment, Bill and K came running into the trailer for my camera, proclaiming the moonrise to be spectacular. So of course I went out to check it out. Absolutely gorgeous, this picture does it no justice!

Campground Saguaros

This was our view the first morning. Saguaros are cool to see, and about a dime a dozen here. We imagined that you'd only spot maybe one lone one at a time, somewhere off in the distance. Imagine your field of basic dandelions, and that's the field of saguaros on the west side of Saguaro National Park. Absolutely amazing!

Barrel Cactus

The ranger at the visitor's center told us that we could pick and eat the fruit, at least inside the park. Removing the fruit from the park is illegal, but she assured us that we could try it inside the park. So we did. It's an interesting flavor. Acidic, bright....citrus-y and mild. Very fibrous.

NB with the Saguaros

Bill's feet are in bad shape at this point, so hiking is out, at least for him, for the moment. NB and I went just a little ways on a trail just to see the sights. So, so, so many saguaros! We only spent a few hours at the park, but I'm good. We've left some parks feeling like we rushed it, but I think we got the feel for this park just fine. I'm looking forward to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, next on our list!