Saguaro National Park

[Dave McClung]

If you ask anyone to draw a pictue of a cactus, most will draw a picture of a saguaro cactus. This is true even though there are many differnt kinds of cactus and the saguaro is relatively rare.

Linda and I hiked in the Saguaro National Park yesterday. Here are a few cactus pictures.

[Dana Grant]

It's good to be home again........(there's a song in there somewhere!!)........I love living here!!

[John Kennedy]

The interesting thing I notice about the saguaro is its respect for political boundaries. I've lived in SoCal since 1965 and have travelled east on I-10 and I-8 to Arizona and points east quite a few times. To the best of my recollection, I have never seen a saguaro on this side of the Colorado River, with the possible exception of one or two at the Living Desert museum southeast of Palm Springs. But cross the river into Arizona, especially on I-10, and you immediately run into them. The climate is the same on both sides of the river (dry and hot - the former compensates for the latter, but compensation has its limits).
I'm not aware of any significant differences in soil (it all came from Colorado and Utah originally and is equally baked on both sides of the state line. Any reason for this anomaly?

[Dave McClung]

The interesting thing I notice about the saguaro is its respect for political boundaries. I've lived in SoCal since 1965 and have travelled east on I-10 and I-8 to Arizona and points east quite a few times. To the best of my recollection, I have never seen a saguaro on this side of the Colorado River, with the possible exception of one or two at the Living Desert museum southeast of Palm Springs. But cross the river into Arizona, especially on I-10, and you immediately run into them. The climate is the same on both sides of the river (dry and hot - the former compensates for the latter, but compensation has its limits).
I'm not aware of any significant differences in soil (it all came from Colorado and Utah originally and is equally baked on both sides of the state line. Any reason for this anomaly?

I think it has to do with altitude. Even in Arizona, the Saguaro lives in a fairly narrow range -- from about 2,500 feet to about 3,500 feet.

[Tinker Boyd]

We're planning a trip to Yosemite this summer and hoping to go to Saguaro National Park. Thanks for the pictures!

[John Kennedy]

We're planning a trip to Yosemite this summer and hoping to go to Saguaro National Park. Thanks for the pictures!

You really go in for contrasts, don't you.

[Tinker Boyd]

You really go in for contrasts, don't you.

It is incredible the contrast you can see on a trip from Texas to California. And thankfully, most in the family like it all.

[Dave McClung]

We're planning a trip to Yosemite this summer and hoping to go to Saguaro National Park. Thanks for the pictures!

In the summer, I recommend a drive through the park in an air conditioned car. It isn't the best time for a hike.

[John Kennedy]

In the summer, I recommend a drive through the park in an air conditioned car. It isn't the best time for a hike.

It looks like you nailed down the understatement tropy for the day.

[Dana Grant]

In the summer, I recommend a drive through the park in an air conditioned car. It isn't the best time for a hike.

Well, if you're early risers, it's okay. It doesn't get hot until about 8 a.m.........so if you're up at 6, it's beautiful here!! LOL

[Dave McClung]

Well, if you're early risers, it's okay. It doesn't get hot until about 8 a.m.........so if you're up at 6, it's beautiful here!! LOL

Do people really get up at 6? Once a month I hike with a group of men from the Oro Valley Church. We meet at the trailhead at 6 a.m. It is really pretty that early, but not pretty enough to cause me to get up early all the time.

[Dana Grant]

Do people really get up at 6? Once a month I hike with a group of men from the Oro Valley Church. We meet at the trailhead at 6 a.m. It is really pretty that early, but not pretty enough to cause me to get up early all the time.

Yep, I usually walk at 6:30 a.m. during the summertime. The walking trail along OST is busiest at 6 a.m. -- and my lands, the bikers rule the road at that time of day!! ha ha

I'm an early riser, anyway, but I have to admit that getting my walking shoes on at 6:30 a.m. is something I have to MAKE myself do in the summertime!!! LOL

[Tinker Boyd]

I actually like it at 90'F and above anyway. But for the rest of the family's sake, we will try to plan to get there early or late in the day.

[Dana Grant]

I actually like it at 90'F and above anyway. But for the rest of the family's sake, we will try to plan to get there early or late in the day.

I used to walk at 2 p.m. every day -- no matter what the temperature. However, 3 years ago I had a heart attack and quadruple bypass surgery, and the doctors all told me not to walk outdoors if it was over 85 degrees -- well, that definitely cut back on the times I could walk, didn't it? I didn't understand why they would say that, and so last year I started walking one afternoon with a friend of mine -- yes, it was about 100 degrees out, but I was sure I'd be okay --

Well, someone had to come and pick me up after about 2 miles......I was shaking.....I still don't know why that happened. Not sure if it really was the heat that caused it or what........but let's just say that I don't walk in the heat anymore.....too bad, because I loved the heat!!!

[John Kennedy]

Guess I'm just a contrarian - when it's hot I want it cooler and when it's cold I want it warmer. The human condition is one of discontent.