Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

Traveling north toward Phoenix we stopped at the Casa Grande Ruins, a part of the National Parks. One of many sites in the valley this is the largest and has survived both desert and man. The Hohokam with origins of both Archaic hunter-gathers and Mesoamerican were the people that built the structures, planted crops along irrigation canals they built, made pottery and traded with other tribes along the waterways from as far north as the 4 corners region and as far south as Mexico. Shells from the gulf of California as common finds in the excavations and copper from tropical parts of Mexico give evidence of the trade. The 4 story structure see in the photos was built from caliche found in the subsoil beneath their feet. The structures uses are not fully know but it is clear that this was an observatory that supported a calendar using the sun and moon alignments. The circular windows align during the solstice and lunar events.
As we were leaving the ranger that gave the tour pointed out the most recent inhabitants that sat up in the top of the steel structure protecting the great house, a pair of great horned owls who were sleeping without care for us humans below.

A change in the weather

Finally, the weather pattern is changing for the better. It's been good but this looks fantastic!

Picacho Peak State Park

Between Tucson and Phoenix sits a nice state park, Picacho Peak State Park. Our favorite site B-12 with A-17 a close second, it has a cover over the pit area. The park is in what is known as the valley next to a fantastic mountian, Picacho Peak. We stopped here the last time we were in the South West but did not make it to the top of the peak. This time, we did! It is one of the more challenging hike we have done rated as difficult in the guide books. The trail is the Hunter Trail which climbs a volcanic cone with vegetation typical of the Sonoran Desert. The route is steep and twisting, with steel cables anchored into the rock in places where the surface is slick or to steep to climb. The total vertical climb is 1,400 feet in 2 miles. The view from the summit is magnificent. In one of the photos from the top we could see our rig (I've circled it in red). We had lunch at the top.

Christmas in Catalina

We had a wonderful Christmas day in Catalina and one last hike up the Sutherland trail. For Christmas we gave Blue a green mouse which was be-headed within an hour. He had fun. We have our favorite site, B-68 with B-48 a close second. Our site was oriented toward the sun and the larger windows had the best views of the mountains. Best of all, there was a trail behind the site which takes you into the wash. Perfect for walking skitty kitty.

Hiking the Catalinas

At last, this is what we have come here for, beautiful views and great hiking. We have found that special Saguaro with over 50 arms and even though we are in the desert there is a beautiful waterfall at the base of the mountains.

Pima Air and Space Museum

Just south of Tucson sits the Pima Air and Space museum. A great visit especially with the pass that Wynn and Paula gave us for free admission. It's a little less impressive than our visit to the similar museum along the gulf coast in Pensacola. The past two days have been wet with a system that moved down the coast from Alaska and entered the south west drenching the desert with much needed rain. The storm has moved into the midwest just in time for the holidays.

The rain gives the desert a unique smell that to me, seems like plants waking from the slumber brought on by drought. It's a good smell, the air fresh and clean and the ground soaks up the moisture as fast as it falls. The washes that sat behind our Rig in Justin's Diamond J RV resort were full of wildlife but no running water. Last night as I sat reading my book I heard the squeals that come with Javelina's and sure enough, a peak out the window with a flash light revealed a momma, a large young piglet and two very small little piglets. Not sure if that is appropriate, to call Javelina's piglets but you know what I mean. I now understand what happens when you spill bird seed on the ground in the desert.

This was our second stay at Diamond J RV resort and we really enjoy the RV park. The sites are well spaced and the facilities are clean. Our next stop, Catalina State Park for the holiday week. This is one of our favorite parks with fantastic views and challenging hikes.

Arizona flora and fauna

We're back in the land of the Saguaro and happy to be back online. This week we are staying at a resort that's just down the road from the Saguaro National park and Sonora desert, so we are flanked by mountains and plenty of flora and fauna. Our first night was rainy but the coyotes and javelinas were active in the wash behind our rig giving Blue lots of entertainment. The following evening we took our walk later in the dark and enjoyed the many falling, 12 stars in 10 minutes. A great week for celestial viewing with a full eclipse one night and meteor showers a few nights later.

The trails behind the park are filled with a wide variety of cholla, all of which will hurt your feet should you kick one (first hand experience), ocotillo, mesquite, palo verde, catclaw acacia, hedgehog cactus, barrel cactus and prickly pear just to name a few. But my favorite is the Saguaro, the indicator species for the Sonoran desert. It lives a long and difficult life, hundreds of years and even in death, the ribs stand tall against the Arizona sky as a reminder of the magnificent soldier that was once here.

Santa Rita Mountains Madera Canyon

As our week in De Anza Trails winds down we've had the opportunity to experience the area. It takes at least a week to get a flavor for an area and this is a great area. And, the RV park is a great home base, especially when the temps drop below freezing. After a day of exploring, you can take a dip in the pool or sit by the fire pit and enjoy the other RVers company. Nice place and at a great price, we'll be back for sure.

Yesterday we took a drive to Madera Canyon and hiked the Dutch John Spring trail, a good 1000+ foot climb up the canyon but no drink for us. The tub that the spring feeds was frozen solid. There is a campground and even though the Forest Service suggest no RVs over 22', we can easily camp here in the future. Site 7 is the best site for us but there are two others that will also work for a larger RV. Just a mile further up the road and we hit the snow line. The canyon gets sun late in the morning and sunset is at 3:30.

Snow at 6000 feet

After a few cold nights and some precipitation, the Santa Rita Mountains have a light dusting of snow from 6000 feet and up. We found the snow today after driving up Mt Hopkins toward the Whipple Observatory. There are no tours at this time of the year but we enjoyed the drive with it's breathtaking view's of the surrounding mountains and valley below. Breathtaking because I was on the outside going up and very aware of the steep drop just to my right. Coming down gave me a bit more opportunity to experience the view. As we left the mountains we watched a coyote cross the road and walk the wash nearby. Further on we were reminded how close we are to the border when a border patrol helicopter flew just overhead and 3-4 border patrol vehicles appeared as they canvased the area for illegals.