Cactus, cactus everywhere - another Nat'l Park bucket-list item checked off!

We have become vagabonds in a sense, exploring the areas where we land far from the traffic jammed city centers via back roads and the stack of books, maps and pamplets that we have collected in our travels.

From Yuma we headed east on I-8, through not one, not 2 but 3 US Border Patrol checkpoints. Via Gila Bend, Ajo and the rural community of Why, 10 mi south. Yes, that's right, WHY-all .5 mile of it and it's gas station.

Ajo (Spanish for garlic), location of the first copper mine in Arizona. Across from a lovely main square sits the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church which was bulit in 1924. It really is spectualar  

Cabeza Prieta Wildlife Refuge sits along boundaries of the city and staff at the visitor center provides information on both the Refuge and helpful information about the Organ Pipe Cactus Monument Park that is 25 south of town.

Cabeza Prieta Wildlife Reug

              For Mike the Eagle has landed.

 

A 21 mile loop provides you with every opportunity to see a variety of cacti within the boundaries of the park. There is also a large camping site 1.4mi south of the visitor center with ample RV spaces (dry camp) for $12/night.



Ocotillo buds



Prickly Pear








Chain Fruit Cactus



Teddy Bear Cholla


                      

                                                

Barrel Cactus





Suguaro w/Organ Pipe

  Organ Pipe (left) with mutation

 Cacti all the way up the mountains

Sunset on the drive back to Yuma