Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

We spent yesterday (12/27/14)  in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.

 

 

This is one of the most beautiful places we've visited so far. 

 

 

This area is the northernmost habitat that these cacti grow and the only place in the United States that they exist.

 

 

This is an organ pipe on the left and a saguaro on the right.

 

They can get pretty big. 

 

 

This deformity in the arm of the cactus is called a crest and is very rare. 

 

We took a 21 mile drive through the back country and saw awe inspiring scenery.  It was a dirt and gravel road.  We travelled it at 5 to 10 miles an hour.  The fine desert dust covered the truck, in and out. 

 

 

See the small arch above the larger one?

 

 

The Saguaro cactus can grow up to 50 feet tall and live two hundred years.  They don't grow arms until they are about ninety years old.  They can also weigh several thousand pounds.

 

We spent the night at the campground in the park.  It was dry camping (no facilities) so it was very dark and very quiet at night. This is a shot of our campsite. 

 

The night sky was full of stars and we spent time finding different constellation's in the cool  air.  The nights have been in the 30's  so we didn't spent too much time outdoors. 

 

 

A sundown picture

 

Dawn in the desert. 

 

 

Tonight we are in Gila Bend, Arizona and Holt Shell.  It's a truck stop, gas station and campground. 

 

They also sell local art and a lot of it. 

 

Tomorrow we head to Yuma for New Years.