The first couple days in Arizona was spent with family near Phoenix. The cousins had a great time dancing to Just Dance and playing games. The little ones were my shadows, wanting to be in the RV with me and play games together. It was nice to spend some time as family!
TUCSON
Stayed at a Hipcamp in Marana for two nights. I’m going to attach those Hipcamp pics because it was so great! This is where desert sunrises became my fave.
Our hosts told us of a canyon that had a tram and great hiking trails. Sabino Canyon didn’t disappoint. The tram ride made it fun and different and allowed us to hike 2-3 miles at the deepest part of the canyon (instead of walking the 6 miles round trip into the canyon).
The vegetation is really cool and so different. I really liked the Saguaro cactus (pronounced Sa-wah-roh). Here are some fun facts about it:
~The saguaro cactus can grow to over 40 ft tall and grows very slowly – no more than 1 inch a year and can live up to 200 years.
~Saguaros are exclusively found in the Sonoran desert
~The saguaro is the largest cactus in the United Sates
~Most of the saguaro roots are only 4-6 inches deep and radiate out as far from the plant as it is tall. There is one deep root, or tap root that extends down into the ground more than two feet.
~After the saguaro dies its woody ribs can be used to build roofs, fences, and parts of furniture. The holes that birds nedsted in or “saguaro boots” can be found among the dead saguaros. Native Americans used these as water containers long before the canteen was available.
Also pictured is the prickly pear, yucca, and cholla.
