x-default
x-default
2IMG 0119
We flew into Tuscon and stopped at an old Titan missile base outside of town. There were clusters of such bases around Wichita and Little Rock, as well.
3IMG 0122
Our tour guide in the underground control room.
4IMG 0123
The launch codes were kept in hard copy in this simple strong box. The control room is built on massive springs to temper effects of attack.
6IMG 0125
The deactivated Titan II missile with nosecone formerly housing the nuclear payload.
7IMG 0129
After their twenty-four hour shift, the crew emerged into daylight and had to be reminded of rattlesnakes.
8IMG 0130
The silo is surrounded by odd looking microwave receptor horns for security. The valley was almost uninhabited in the 60's but now hosts an interstate highway and malls.
11IMG 0189
We stayed in Patagonia, AZ, for a few days. It is a town of a few hundred in the hills south of Tucson.
12IMG 0190
The railroad was abandoned in the early 60's but they keep up their old depot as the municipal court building.
13IMG 0143
The busy high season in Patagonia.
14IMG 0192
Part of downtown.
15IMG 0147
Our "casita" is behind a real estate office.
16IMG 0131
It was very comfortable!
17IMG 0193
The owners are artists as well as realtors.
18IMG 0137
It got cold at night in December, as the fountain in front of the office shows.
21IMG 0139
We walked out of town and found little competition for space on the road.
22IMG 0148
The trailhead at a nearby state park.
23IMG 0152
It is dry but it is not "desert."
24IMG 0155
Horses among the ocotillo plants.
25IMG 0159
The trail was indistinct so we left a line of cairns.
26IMG 0160
The promise of the sign was fulfilled.
27IMG 0165
I did not know that cactuses grew in trees.
31IMG 0182
In another direction from Patagonia, we entered a national forest.
32IMG 0183
This trail begins at the Mexican border and reaches the top of the state. We had previously camped along it near the Grand Canyon.
33IMG 0171
Beautiful range land!
34IMG 0174
Another sketchy trail that needed signage.
35IMG 0180
The cholla cactus is getting ready to bloom in a few months.
36IMG 0177
Cowboy folk art on the fence posts.
37IMG 0175
Pretty racy stuff!
38IMG 0181
We welcomed the intense sun! We passed through multiple cattle gates every day.
41IMG 0204
The Mission San Xavier del Bac, outside present day Tucson, was founded in 1692 by Jesuits. This building dates to 1783 and is administered by Franciscans.
42IMG 0199
San Xavier was the northernmost outpost in its cluster of 18th century missions. The U.S. purchased this sector of Mexico in the 1850s.
45IMG 0201
The interior and portions of the exterior are done in the outrageous Spanish high baroque style.
46IMG 0230
Our rental house on the outskirts of Tucson is on the property of a couple retired geologists. At this time of evening, we regularly heard group howls by the coyotes.
48IMG 0205
We start a walk up Sabino Canyon, an extremely popular destination on the northern edge of town. There is a paved road with shuttle bus at the bottom and few hike the precipitous upper trail.
49IMG 0206
This is far from the worst drop-off we have experienced but evidently some have managed to wander off it.
50IMG 0208
The saguaro cactus is practically a trademark of Tucson.
51IMG 0209
The road and stream at the bottom of the canyon.
53IMG 0218
Looking back toward the mouth of the canyon. Tucson is back there somewhere
54IMG 0223
The stream with a profusion of saquaro above.
55IMG 0229
One sector of the national park was walking distance from our house.
56IMG 0227
A forest of saguaro.
57IMG 0226
Jean as a cactus.
60IMG 0242
Our last stop was the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum with its terrific outdoor nature displays. Birding is a hugely popular activity here and hummingbirds are a favorite.
61IMG 0239
The aviary provided opportunities to get up close.
62IMG 0246
Very close, in fact. This is a Costas hummingbird.
63IMG 0247 64IMG 0248 65IMG 0250
The outdoor museum paths wandered among the mesquite, palo verde trees and saguaro.
66IMG 0251
Napping Javalinas, a common inhabitant of the Tucson suburbs.
67IMG 0243
Cholla cactus
68IMG 0261
Biologist humor.
69IMG 0257
Another familiar Tucson resident, the coyote.
70IMG 0260
One paced and one rested.
71IMG 0268
A prairie dog town 250 miles long?!
72IMG 0262 73IMG 0264
After visiting with the prairie dogs, we had to depart for the airport.