Canadian-Traveler

Finally we got a picture perfect day. A deep blue sky brought me outside and immediately I began preparations to spend the day (or most of it) in the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. The PEI-Bunch would join me, they were as eager as myself to get out there. It was supposed to stay around 65F today, and the sunshine would bring the temps up without making it too hot for us. Our first goal was the Visitor Center. Everyone should start a day in the park by watching the excellent slide show.

Armed with the basic information we went on the 21mile Ajo Mountain Drive. It is a rough gravel road which requires a slow pace, not only because of the dips and bumps, but mainly because you go there to see something. It is most rewarding to get out of the vehicle and take a few steps into the desert. We found f.ex. flowers we never would have seen, had we stayed in the car or on the road. Again and again I stopped and jumped out of the car to capture the scenery. The Organ Pipe Cactus is commonly found in Mexico. The Organ Pipe Cactus Nat’l Monument is the only location in the U.S. where this cactus is found. Ocotillo was blooming throughout the park     This Cactus has a disturbance of growth     Vista Views like this one are plentiful in the park

Some cacti have been fighting hard for survival A double arch, with the upper one shortly before collapsing.       They survived in the Canyons.  Artifacts of habitation, 9000 years old, have been found in the park. When we re-emerged from the park we were all very hungry. So we drove down to the border, where there is a restaurant serving simply fantastic burgers. Thanks for visiting!