

Boarding complete and ready for takeoff!


Zhanna's meal at Cafe Poca Cosa

Rich's meal at Cafe Poca Cosa

Zhanna *not* texting at the dinner table

Cafe Poca Cosa, interior view

Cafe Poca Cosa menu

Glass cactus figures window display, street scene

Glass cactus figures window display, street scene

Glass cactus figures window display, street scene

Glass cactus figures window display, street scene

Glass cactus figures window display, street scene

Enjoying breakfast at Cora's Cafe

Chilaquiles with eggs at Cora's Cafe

Scrambled eggs with chiles, tomatoes and onions at Cora's Cafe

Parking lot/trailhead for Brown Mountain

Large cholla near Brown Mountain trailhead

Plucking a dangling cholla fruit, Brown Mountain trailhead

Cholla and saguaro, Brown Mountain

Zhanna takes a photo of cholla from a safe distance

Desert flora, Brown Mountain

Desert flora, Brown Mountain

Desert flora, Brown Mountain

Desert flora, Brown Mountain

Saguaro in bud, Brown Mountain

Saguaro in bud, Brown Mountain

Saguaro in bud, Brown Mountain

Saguaro in major bud!, Brown Mountain

Old prickly pear turning woody at the base, Brown Mountain

Rich photographs the desert scenery

Saguaro flowers are beginning to open, Brown Mountain

Fishhook mammillaria cactus, Brown Mountain

Another old, woody prickly pear, Brown Mountain

Prickly pear and large Ferocactus (barrel cactus), Brown Mountain

Large mat of prickly pear cactus, Brown Mountain

Creosote bush in fruit, Brown Mountain

Rich and a nice variety of cactus

New growth on a prickly pear, Brown Mountain

Saguaro with two arms, Brown Mountain

Yellow prickly pear flower, Brown Mountain

Red cholla flower, Brown Mountain

Saguaro forest, Brown Mountain

Saguaro with blossoms on upright arms, Brown Mountain

Three barrels together!, Brown Mountain

Zhanna has to touch the three barrels

Zhanna enters the cactus forest

Cactus forest and mountain backdrop, Brown Mountain

Zhanna is dwarfed by the BIG saguaros

Cactus forest and mountain backdrop, Brown Mountain

Brown Mountain trail

Saguaro buds and flowers everywhere, Brown Mountain

Saguaro buds and flowers, Brown Mountain

More saguaro buds!, Brown Mountain

More saguaro buds!, Brown Mountain

Big fat ferocactus, Brown Mountain

The ferocactus that gave us a fruit, Brown Mountain

Continuing up the Brown Mountain trail

Along the Brown Mountain trail

Along the Brown Mountain trail

Along the Brown Mountain trail

Round Ferocactus along the way

Along the Brown Mountain trail

View from one of the Brown Mountain summits

Cholla and creosote

Cholla bud opening

Lots of cholla buds

Apricot-colored prickly pear blossoms

Huge saguaro and saguaro forest

Huge saguaro and saguaro forest

A spectacular saguaro

BM E 291 (CZ1627)

BM N 112 (CZ0732)

BM D 291 (CZ0733)

BM NN 95 (CZ2538)

Carne seca burritos at El Charro

Chicken flautas at El Charro

Zhanna at Tumacacori entrance

View of the mission church at Tumacacori

Mission church and a friar (gray robe)!

Orange flowers and berries at Tumacacori

Orange and white flowers at Tumacacori

Yellow daisies(?) at Tumacacori

Bell tower

Mission church, built by the Franciscans around 1800

Unidentified structures near the church, looking toward the convento ruin

Church entrance

Front wall of the church

The convento ruin, where the priest likely lived

Church seen from the side; convento in foreground

Looking from the Jesuit church site toward the large mission church

This outline marks the below-ground location of foundation of the small Jesuit church, constructed between 1753 and 1757.

The mission storehouse, where food was stored for the community

East side of the church with the storehouse to the right

Inside the storehouse. The steps led to a second story where animal fodder was stored.

Inside the storehouse

Inside the church looking toward the entrance

Altar and cross

Decorative work near the ceiling

Nave of the church, looking toward the entrance where the choir loft once stood

Carved wooden doors

Carved wooden doors

NPS benchmark, church in background

The mission complex included an orchard with fruit trees to feed the community.

Fruit trees brought to the mission from Europe included peach, pomegranate, quince, and fig.

Ignaz Pfefferkorn!!!

Quinces

Orange and yellow blossoms on a prickly pear cactus, Anza Trail

Santa Cruz River, along the Anza Trail

Santa Cruz River, along the Anza Trail

Lush vegetation lines the river.

Santa Cruz River, along the Anza Trail

Rich on one of the bridges over the Santa Cruz River

The river winds through a green valley.

Gate along the Anza Trail at the park boundary

Rich at one of the "bridges" along the Anza Trail

Zhanna at one of the "bridges" along the Anza Trail

Pleasant cactus garden and chairs at our turnaround point, Anza Trail

Zhanna at a gate along the Anza Trail

We didn't notice any livestock in the area today.

Zhanna at the damned adobe structure

"You can't miss it? Yeah, right!" Zhanna at the adobe structure

Rich at the adobe structure

Zhanna at Barrio Brewing Company

Burger with onions and fries, Barrio Brewing Company

Amazing fish tacos with beans, Barrio Brewing Company

On the porch, Barrio Brewing Company

Breakfast at Cora's Cafe again!

Our friendly waiter brings some coffee and juice.

Machaca with over-medium eggs, crisp flour tortilla, and verde sauce

Chilaquiles with verde sauce, scrambled eggs and beans

Cleistocactus strausii just past bloom, Tucson Botanical Gardens

Tall Cleistocactus strausii

"Shrimp plant," Justicia brandegeeana

"Shrimp plant," Justicia brandegeeana. Who said shrimp don’t grow on trees?!

Butterfly on white flowers

Grapefruit on the tree - Zhanna wants one!

Blue morpho butterfly

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Nepenthes (pitcher plant) in the butterfly house

Lots of Nepenthes!

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Blue morpho butterfly on orchids

Orchid

Hibiscus

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Air plants

Nepenthes

Hibiscus

Blue poison dart frog

Another blue poison dart frog?

Euphorbia

Ocotillo with leaves

Pomegranate

Lizard camouflaged on bark

Cleistocactus winteri cactus

Garden tour group

Tree cactus (Opuntia)

Brilliant red berries

White flowers

White flowers

Inspiring garden tiles

Mullein and a fountain

Cycad

Large cycad

New bright green growth

Rose

Zhanna rakes the zen garden, finds peace and enlightenment!

Rich gives it a try, comes up empty.

Currant-cardamom scone with lime-kumquat jam at Cafe Botanica!

Lizard

Astrophytum flower buds

Large Astrophytum myriostigma

Lizard among the rocks

Opuntia microdasys with one open flower and lots of buds

Opuntia microdasys

Astrophytum myriostigma, flowering done

Interestingly-shaped astrophytum with buds

Large clustering cactus (Rebutia?)

Mammillaria plumosa

Zhanna taking photos at the botanical gardens

Rebutia again?

A peaceful alcove

Nice display of cacti and other succulents

Huge mound of Mammillaria plumosa

Unidentified cactus, maybe Escobaria?

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Golden barrels (Echinocactus grusonii) and Cephalocereus senilis

Cephalocereus senilis

Opuntia microdasys

Unknown buds

Echinocereus

Opuntia microdasys

Brilliant new flower on Astrophytum myriostigma

Opuntia (humifusa?) in flower and bud

Lizard

Lizard

Cactus assortment

Parodia magnifica

Echinopsis/Trichocereus?

Oreocereus?

HUGE golden barrels

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Closeup of golden barrel after flowering

Lizard on golden barrel

Queen Victoria Agave

Lizard on quartz

Ferocactus?

Mammillaria

Lizard sunning himself on quartz

Ferocactus

Ferocactus flowers

Bright pink Ferocactus flowers

Ferocactus flower and buds

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Pink Opuntia flower

"Creeping Devil" cactus, Stenocereus eruca

Monstrose form of Pachycereus schottii (senita cactus)

Garden railway

Garden railway

Garden railway

Zhanna picks a pepper?

B&B Cactus Farm sign

Echinopsis pup

Zhanna and a huge golden barrel!

Zhanna and a huge Opuntia tree cactus!

Goof looking between pads of tree cactus

Cluster of Parodia magnifica

Cactus assortment

Pots, planters and desert-inspired decorations

Zhanna among the pots and planters

A view of the cactus farm

Greenhouses

Partially purple prickly pears

Assortment of cactuses at the farm

Golden barrels everywhere

Rows of golden barrels

Zhanna wants this one!

More golden barrels

Big'uns!

Huge Astrophytums

Astrophytum with 2 heads

Mammillaria

Tall Mammillarias

Echinocereus possibly growing a pup

The Echinopsis greenhouse

Red Echinopsis bud

Bright pink Echinopsis flowers

Echinopsis pups all in a row

Red Echinopsis bud

Large white Echinopsis flower

Pink Echinopsis buds

Pink Echinopsis flowers

Peach Echinopsis buds

Echinocereus

Mexican fencepost cactus

Potted Cereus

Totem pole cactus (Pachycereus schottii f. monstrosus)

Gorgeous red and black spines

Parodia magnifica in bloom

Oodles of Mammillaria

Mammillaria and a few golden barrels

Monstrose/cristate "old man" cactus, perhaps Espostoa?

Small potted cacti for sale

Way too many to choose from!

So many cactuses!

"I like them all!"

Echinopsis subdenudata in bloom

Parodia scopa blooms

"Glory of Texas" (Thelocactus bicolor) bloom

We bought two!

Golden barrels everywhere; even a few of the white-spined form

Melocactus with cephalium

We just missed the blooming period of this Melocactus

Trying to make a decision ...

Astrophytums are often grafted because they are slow growers.

A large Astrophytum myriostigma var. quadricostatus

White pizza with garlic at Grimaldi's!

Margherita pizza at Grimaldi's!

Purple cholla

Chainfruit cholla

Peachy-pink Opuntia flower

Cactus assortment, Sabino Canyon

Crested saguaro, Sabino Canyon nature trail

Crested saguaro, Sabino Canyon nature trail

Crested saguaro, Sabino Canyon nature trail

Crested saguaro, Sabino Canyon nature trail

Pink Opuntia flowers beginning to open, Sabino Canyon nature trail

Heading down the Seven Falls Trail into Sabino Canyon

Seven Falls Trail, Sabino Canyon

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Seven Falls Trail, Sabino Canyon

Seven Falls Trail, Sabino Canyon

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A tray of goodies at El Güero Canelo

Sonoran Dog at El Güero Canelo

Steak tacos at El Güero Canelo

Mangoyada at El Güero Canelo!

Frybread with cinnamon at San Xavier Mission

Green chile burrito!!!

One of several food stands at the mission

Food stands at the mission

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Shrimp skewers with teriyaki sauce

Chicken skewers with tikka sauce

Spring rolls with mango dipping sauce, the best part of our meal!

NGS benchmark disk L 469, set in the doorway of the old Curley School in Ajo

The Curley School has been turned into apartments for local artists and artisans.

NGS benchmark disk R 36, set in the foundation of the former railroad station in Ajo

The benchmark isn't in a very picturesque location, but it's in good condition and was an easy find.

The former Tucson, Cornelia, and Gila Bend Railroad passenger station is now a visitor center.

When we returned to the Guest House Inn after supper, we spotted these neighborhood javelinas.

They were enjoying a meal of prickly pear cactus.

The javelinas were searching for fallen fruits beneath the cactus pads.

This one gave us a little "smile."

Rich was able to get quite close to the javelinas.

They also enjoyed nibbling on the tender leaves and flowers of a nearby tree.

Dining room at the Guest House Inn

Saguaro napkin rings! So appropriate.

Coconut French toast with ham and fresh fruit

Scorpion found dead in the bathroom

T-Mobile thinks we're in Mexico

Zhanna and Rich at the trailhead for Baker Mine

Red Tanks Tinaja Trail - on the way to Baker Mine

Organ pipes cover this hillside

Warning signs close to the Mexican border

Decomposing saguaro showing woody rib structure

Saguaros, organ pipes and other desert flora

Organ pipes on a hill

New organ pipe growth, close up

Zhanna along the trail to Baker Mine

Zhanna hikes toward Baker Mine

Cholla, palo verde, saguaros and organ pipes

Cactus forest on the way to Baker Mine

Palo verde and organ pipe

Organ pipe with numerous arms and pups!
Organ pipe with numerous arms and pups!

Dense population of organ pipes on a hill

Dense population of organ pipes on a hill

Dense population of organ pipes on a hill

Zhanna at Baker Mine sign
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Rich at Baker Mine

Zhanna at Baker Mine

Zhanna at Baker Mine

Zhanna at Baker Mine

We made it! Want to keep hiking?!

Desert flora along the trail; heading back to the car

Organ pipes along the trail

Amazingly sculptural saguaro

Dense cactus and palo verde forest

Unnamed mine opening near the trailhead

Unnamed mine opening near the trailhead

Concrete foundation near the unnamed mine

Cheeseburger with red onion at 100 Estrella!

Cheeseburger with green chile at 100 Estrella!

These hallways at the Guest House Inn were once sleeping porches.

They are now enclosed and are pleasant places to sit and relax.

The dining room at the Guest House Inn

The table is ready for us!

"Where's Michael with our breakfast?"
"Where's Michael with our breakfast?"

Southwest Frittata with sausage, tomatoes, avocado and cilantro

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NGS benchmark disk J 308 along Puerto Blanco Drive

At the site of NGS benchmark disk K 308

NGS benchmark disk M 308, very close to the Mexican border

At the site of M 308, looking north toward Puerto Blanco Drive

NGS benchmark N 308, looking north toward impressive saguaros!

Quitobaquito Springs

Quitobaquito Springs; the old cottonwood tree is gone

Quitobaquito Springs, an oasis in the desert

Zhanna's first visit to Quitobaquito Springs

NGS benchmark disk Z 307, just east of Quitobaquito Springs, at the intersection of Puerto Blanco Drive and Pozo Nuevo Road

These conditions were comfortable for us!

Green chile plate at Marcela's Cafe, Ajo

Combination plate (tostada, taco and enchilada) at Marcela's Cafe

This book was among the reading material in the lobby of the Inn. We both would like to read it!

Cornmeal waffles with blueberry sauce and vanilla ice cream, ham and fresh fruit

John Campbell Greenway memorial cross

The cross stands on Camelback Mountain in Ajo.

New Cornelia copper mine, viewed from the visitor center

New Cornelia copper mine

NGS reference mark disk FLITE RM 4 at the entrance to Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge

Uncovering a triangulation station at the wildlife refuge visitor center

NGS triangulation station FLITE

Raven on a blooming saguaro

Dead ocotillo

Juicy fruits are forming on this saguaro

Desert flora along the nature trail at Cabeza Prieta visitor center

Double-trunked saguaro ...

… and his two heads!

This ocotillo is covered with leaves while its wild cousins in the desert are already bare. This one has an auxiliary water source.

Red ocotillo blooms; the flowers also respond to the presence of water
Red ocotillo blooms; the flowers also respond to the presence of water

Super-lush ocotillo foliage!

Learning about the Sonoran Desert (while being photobombed by a friendly Saguaro waving in the background!)

We love you too, prickly pear!

Sign and cactus garden at the entrance to the wildlife refuge

Paths wind along through the desert gardens

There's even a nice cluster of senita cactus! (Pachycereus schottii)


West Van Buren Street in Phoenix

"America's Best Value Inn"—maybe not, but it's not bad

Carne Adovada at Four Peaks Brewing Company in Tempe

Southwest (green chile) cheeseburger and pesto pasta salad at Four Peaks

Feeling a little beat and enjoying a Peach Ale

This is the infamous scorpion that stung Rich!!!

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Mammillaria grahamii—you have to look carefully to spot these little guys!

A natural cactus garden: an assortment of hedgehog, cholla and barrel!

A closer look at the colorful assortment

Red spined Ferocacti dot the landscape

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Ferocactus in bloom!

… and with more flowers on the way!

Look at those juicy buds ...

At the Wrigley Mansion

Wrigley Mansion hallway

1929 Steinway player piano

Dining room with beautiful views of the desert and Phoenix skyline

Terraced entrance to the Wrigley Mansion

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We couldn't resist going to Grimaldi's Phoenix location for supper!

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Arizona fishhook cactus (Mammillaria grahamii) in habitat!

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Santa Rita Prickly Pear, featuring purple pads with lemon yellow flowers

A large cluster of purple prickly pears!

Adenium (Desert Rose) in bloom

Layers of colorful desert dwellers

Poor Lonely George … I would take home a pad to propagate, if I could!

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Long-spined Ferocactus with yellow-orange flowers

And many more flowers to come!

Golden-spined cluster of Trichocereus

Smooth Opuntia pads showing new growth

New growth, close up

Will they be buds or pads?

Most appear to be buds.

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Echinopsis in bud and stunning bloom

This "octopus cactus" was very unusual.

I had to get a closer look.

Meadow wildflowers

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Rugged assortment: prickly pear, cholla and yucca

Queen Victoria agave

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The iconic Golden Barrel cactus!

Cleistocactus fruits and buds

A Ferocactus peeks out at two Oreocereus, and a Saguaro stands guard in the background.

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Euphorbia resinifera

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Cheese crisp, a classic Arizona snack, at Mi Amigos in Phoenix

Green chile burrito with pork

Chicken flautas

Mi Amigos, dining room interior view. It wasn't busy when we arrived.

Four cacti purchased at B&B Cactus Farm!

We earned these medals on our hikes in Organ Pipe N.M. and Tumacacori.
