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
P1000897csm
P1000899csm
P1000900csm
Nepenthes (pitcher plant) in the butterfly house
Lots of Nepenthes!
P1080409csm
P1080410csm
Blue morpho butterfly on orchids
Orchid
Hibiscus
P1000910csm
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?
P1000994csm
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
P1080451csm
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
P1010088csm
P1010090csm
P1010095csm
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
P1010282csm
Seven Falls Trail, Sabino Canyon
Seven Falls Trail, Sabino Canyon
P1010289csm
P1010291csm
P1010295csm
P1010302csm
P1080491csm
P1010305csm
P1010311dsm
P1010311csm
P1010313csm
P1010315csm
P1010317csm
P1010319csm
P1080493csm
P1010325csm
P1010330csm
P1010334csm
P1010337csm
P1010341csm
P1010345csm
P1010348csm
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
P1010356csm
P1010359csm
P1010361csm
P1010362csm
P1010364csm
P1010365csm
P1080507csm
P1080511csm
P1010370csm
P1010371csm
P1010374csm
P1010376csm
P1080514csm
P1010379csm
P1010382csm
P1010386csm
P1010388csm
P1010390csm
P1010392csm
P1010393csm
P1010395csm
P1010399csm
P1010401csm
P1010404csm
P1010409csm
P1010413csm
P1010422csm
P1080521csm
P1010428csm
P1010432csm
P1010436csm
P1010437csm
P1010444csm
P1010448csm
P1010450csm
P1010453csm
P1010455csm
P1010457csm
P1010459csm
P1010460csm
P1010461csm
P1010463csm
P1010465csm
P1010466csm
P1010470csm
P1010473csm
P1010475csm
P1010478csm
P1010480csm
P1010481csm
P1010485csm
image023csm
image024csm
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
P1010532csm
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
P1080669csm
P1080674csm
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!!!
P1010618csm
P1010619csm
P1010621csm
P1010626csm
P1010628csm
P1010629csm
P1010631csm
P1010636csm
P1010641csm
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
P1010655csm
P1010656csm
P1010658csm
P1010661csm
P1010663csm
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
P1080788csm
P1080790csm
We couldn't resist going to Grimaldi's Phoenix location for supper!
P1010675csm
P1010677csm
P1010678csm
P1010683csm
P1010686csm
Arizona fishhook cactus (Mammillaria grahamii) in habitat!
P1010688csm
P1010698csm
P1010695csm
P1080801csm
P1010701csm
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!
P1010711csm
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.
P1010730csm
Echinopsis in bud and stunning bloom
This "octopus cactus" was very unusual.
I had to get a closer look.
Meadow wildflowers
P1010744csm
Rugged assortment: prickly pear, cholla and yucca
Queen Victoria agave
P1010754csm
The iconic Golden Barrel cactus!
Cleistocactus fruits and buds
A Ferocactus peeks out at two Oreocereus, and a Saguaro stands guard in the background.
P1010764csm
P1010766csm
P1010769csm
P1010774csm
P1010777csm
P1010782csm
P1010785csm
P1010787csm
P1010790csm
P1010795csm
Euphorbia resinifera
P1010802csm
P1010806csm
P1010808csm
P1010813csm
P1080818csm
P1010820csm
P1010822csm
P1010827csm
P1010828csm
P1010829csm
P1010838csm
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.
