The Dry Garden

Ajo

Our last three nights in Arizona were spent at The Guest House Inn  http://www.guesthouseinn.biz/ in the desert town of Ajo. 

Ajo's Plaza

Ajo is close to the Mexican border and has a border-town feel which is enhanced by the number of Border Control cars on the roads.

We have not always found good food in these out-of-the-way places but the breakfasts in the B& B were excellent and we found two good restaurants for dinner.

The down-at-heel diner decor at Marcela didn't encourage us but the crowded parking lot did and we had an excellent Mexican meal.

Estrella, a bar and restaurant, had a board outside proclaiming that they sold the best burgers in Ajo and we found them to be truly excellent. We liked the relaxed atmosphere also.

 

We were fascinated by this car, parked close to the B&B.

 

Spring is Late

Spring is late this year but as beautiful as ever.

 Pink Breath of Heaven in Front of Wisteria

Flowering Quince

Saguaro National Park

Saguaro National Park http://www.nps.gov/sagu is in two sections, one to the east of Tucson and one to the west.

We took the Loma Verde Loop (3 miles round trip) out into the desert in the eastern section. A lovely hike, and not much frequented, even on a Sunday.

A Saguaro Cactus Dwarfs the Gardener

A Barrel Cactus

The Loma Verde Mine Site

Tombstone

We stopped in Tombstone on our way to Tucson.

I expected it to be hokey, and while there's undoubtedly some of that, there's also a real sense of history in the town.

The 1881 Gunfight at the OK corral seems very close.

The Bird Cage Theater presented many famous performers including Caruso. Doc Holliday, dentist and one of the gunmen at the O K Corral, dealt Faro in the basement from time to time.

Chiricahua National Monument

We stayed in the dusty little town of Willcox for two nights and enjoyed the atmosphere. The guys wear Stetsons and the shops sell cowboy and cowgirl clothes.  We were there because it's close to Chiricahua National Monument, a beautiful park with amazing rock formations.

 

Tuzigoot

 

Tuzigoot, in Southern Arizona, is the remains of a Sinagua Indian pueblo constructed between 1125 and 1400 A.D. The pueblo stands on the summit of a steep hill overlooking the Verde River. The Sinagua were farmers and appear to have practiced floodwater agriculture.

The pueblo originally had 86 ground floor rooms that were entered through roof openings using ladders. In the early 1400s the people left. No one knows why.