Tucson, AZ

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, A Desert Sanctuary

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, A Desert Sanctuary Arizona June 2021 The Beauty and Rupture of Organ Pipe Visiting Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument was an absolute must for us. We didn’t mind the long drive from Tucson to reach this remote corner of Arizona, right on the edge of Sonora, Mexico. It’s actually the

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Bisbee and Tombstone, Two Former Mine Towns, Two Different Vibes

Bisbee and Tombstone, Two Former Mine Towns, Two Different Vibes Arizona June 2021 Bisbee, Arizona’s Beautifully Strange Gem June 1, 2021 1.90 mi 0.61 mi 74 °F When I was on the phone with my friend Pam a few days ago and mentioned we were staying in Tucson, AZ, she suggested we visit Bisbee and

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The White Dove of the Desert,  San Xavier del Bac

The White Dove of the Desert,  San Xavier del Bac Arizona May 2021 Preserving San Xavier del Bac Every disadvantage has its advantage. While we didn’t complete the trail in Saguaro NP, the extra time allowed us to visit the Mission San Xavier del Bac, a stunning example of Spanish Colonial architecture in the United

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Saguaro West, The Volcanic Oven of the Tucson Mountains

Saguaro West, The Volcanic Oven of the Tucson Mountains Arizona May 2021 XX A few days later, we explored the West Side of Saguaro National Park. This part of the park is located in the Tucson Mountains, on the opposite side of the city from where we had hiked before. We started up the Hugh

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The Crown Jewel of the Anza Trail

The Crown Jewel of the Anza National Historic Trail Arizona May 2021 The Anza Corridor After our visit to the ruins of Mission Tumacácori, we followed part of the 1,210-mile Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail. This route commemorates the 1775–1776 expedition led by Anza, who guided more than 240 settlers from New Spain

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Exploring the Pimería Alta at Tumacácori Mission

Exploring the Pimería Alta at Tumacácori Mission Arizona May 2021 Preserving the Unfinished, Tumacácori Mission Instead of hiking in nature, we went to explore Tumacácori National Historical Park, near the Mexican border. The story of Tumacácori Mission goes back to January 1691, when the Jesuit missionary Eusebio Francisco Kino arrived in the area. Tumacácori was

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Bloom in the Rincon Mountains at Saguaro NP East

Bloom in the Rincon Mountains at Saguaro NP East Arizona May 2021 The Desert in Full Pride We picked the perfect day to visit Saguaro National Park because, in May, the majestic saguaro is in full bloom. We explored the Rincon Mountain District, the park’s eastern section. A century ago, grazing and development threatened the

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