Tucson, AZ

Arrived in Tucson today after 4 days in Organ Pipe.   Organ Pipe lived up to all expectations and we had a great time.   Good hikes, some very good ranger programs and we met some new friends.   Even the day of rain (only their second day of rain this winter, they are in the second year of a drought) was fine as we caught up on our work and had a nice supper with our new friends.   Organ Pipe is having a tough time – apparently all national parks have seen a drop in attendance by 25%, even the Grand Canyon, but Organ Pipe was just named as the most dangerous national park by National Geographic and this has hurt their attendance.  While we were there we encountered two separate “incidents” -in one case while on a hike we met another couple who had come across 3 young Hispanic men who were lost and by the time we got back to the campground 10 border patrol cars had arrived and swept the area; in the other incident the last night we were there a helicopter repeatedly swept the area between the campground and the border (about 4 miles) and patrol vehicles also crisscrossed the area.  

Sunrise from our campsite - Organ Pipe NM

That said Organ Pipe was beautiful – we were in the middle of a saguaro cactus forest and there were many organ pipe cacti – the park is the only place in the US were they grow naturally.  The desert here is green with creosote bushes, Paulo Verdi trees, brittlebushes, cacti and cholla, ironwood and mesquite trees.  We took a van trip with a ranger who pointed out the various plants to us and filled us in on saguaros.   The saguaros live to be 200 and grow for 70 to 90 years before putting out a limb.  They store an amazing amount of water and have very shallow roots that grow out in a circle with a diameter as big as the cactus is tall.   

We spent time at the visitors center which is named after a young ranger that was killed by smugglers – this obviously deeply affected everyone who works in the park and they still are affected by it.  

When we arrived at our campsite I noticed that the man in the neighboring site was scowling at me and I wondered whether I was in the right site or perhaps was doing something wrong.   Turns out our site was where he and his friends took their nightly “happy hour” due to the good shade at 4pm.  They had been there for 11 days already and had done this with the previous occupants of the site and continued with new friends after the other couple left.   Bruce and Gina are extremely outgoing friendly couple and have found that a happy hour is a good way to meet fellow campers and share experiences.  

Fortunately with made friends with Bruce and Gina and by the second evening we were invited.  We met their friends Nancy and Eric and we shared happy hour making various snacks to share each evening.   On the last evening we had cold winds and rain so we went to Nancy and Eric’s for happy hour (they have a lovely 1997 Airstream wide body with a great dining area that seats 6 easily) and then to our place for pasta with shrimps.   I made scones and we shared them with tea in the early afternoon and finished them off after supper. 

Nancy, Bruce, Gina and Eric - Supper at our camper

 

Today after driving to Tucson we stopped off at the Mission San Xavier del Bac south of Tucson – a beautiful mission church that is still in use and has been freshly renovated.   Since it is situated in the country south of Tucson it can be seen from afar as you approach and is quite striking.  It has been called the western Cistine Chapel because of all the paintings on the walls and the sculptures.   It must have been incredibly impressive in the 1700’s.    

Mission San Xavier del Bec