Tucson and Saguaro

Saguaro, a set on Flickr.

If it weren't for the number of days per year that the temperature is over 100 degrees F, I think I could live in Tucson, AZ. It's beautiful and the people seemed very down to earth. Our original plan was to spend the night at a state park just outside of Tucson, but upon checking the place out, we found it to have a few too many prairie dogs and flies for our liking. I'm sure it's lovely in January and February, but camping in 100 degree weather kind of sucks. Instead we got a Marriott near the University of Arizona campus for $50 +tax. Thank you priceline negotiator. We also had our first relatively normal salad of the trip and some delicious pizza at the Brooklyn Pizza Company. I know that this wasn't authentic southwest fare, but it hit the spot. Apparently the whole establishment runs on solar power- awesome. We had planned on doing a hike in Saguaro National park the following day, but 102 without a cloud in the sky is no place for people with our level of skin pigmentation. Instead we grabbed some bean burritos and headed to the laundromat. We did manage to complete an 8-mile drive through the park and stepped out of the car long enough to get some good pictures of cacti. My favorite part was the following bit of dialogue:

Ranger: "If you are thinking about going for a hike, just know that the creepy crawlies are out and that there are (Africanized or "killer") bees on the loma verde loop.

Heather: "Um, ok, what do you mean when you say creepy crawlies?"

Ranger: "Well, snakes mostly. Yeah, snakes." (Arizona diamond back rattle snakes could be inferred by her tone of voice and unwillingness to make direct eye contact)

Still, the cacti were super cool and we got some good pictures. Check out Heather's bright red HDR flower shot.

-sjk