cacti, cacti, and more cacti!!!

Today was a full day of desert experience. We started off by going to the Sonora Desert Museum. I was worried it would be walking through a dark musty building looking at replicas of cactus and old dusty stuffed animals - but every time we told someone we were going there, we got a great reaction. Oh is a must see. Oh yes - you gotta go there. So we are so glad we did. What an amazing place. It wasn't really a museum though. The name doesn't really do it justice. It is more of an outdoor walking path through the desert with live animals.

But for some reason my pictures are all out of order so will have to jump around here a bit....

Here are some highlights from day two of our Arizona adventures...

Kathy Jo took on a part time job as a bar maid for the afternoon in Old Tucson Studios.

Look at those cowgirls coming back from their trail ride.

Really couldn't keep them away from the cowboys.... May need a new Sheriff in town because the guy in the middle is in Kathy Jo's suitcase...

June continued to shop for the perfect outfit today. This time tried out a little fringe number.

Before Kathy Jo and June went on their trail ride just out of Old Tucson Studios - I just grabbed myself a cowboy... and skipped the trail ride. This is me, Cowboy Tim and his horse.

Kathy Jo just really couldn't find the perfect boots....

June and I were ready with our six shooters and side arms for the OK Corral...

Was just a perfect beautiful day in Arizona with the desert, cactus and wildlife - and good friends...

Either she was being held up or being a Saguaro...

Sorry, now jumping to the end of the day for a bit. We went to Saguaro National Park and what an awesome place to stand among these cactus. We found out that these cactus are 70 years old before they get their first arms. Then it is every 6-7 years for each additional. So this guy - not sure why - but they were guys to us today - was over 106 years old! Was looking pretty good for a guy his age...

Just amazing. We stayed til the sun went down trying to get that perfect postcard sunset...

Now kind of back to the start of our day...

We started with a bird of prey show and saw some amazing birds. Apparently I didn't have enough coffee this morning or something... The show was scheduled for 10:30. We got there a little early and were chatting with the volunteer. I asked her, "How do you plan this show at exactly 10:30 and know the birds will be here?" "Well," she says practically at the same time, Here is your sign... "Well, we put little alarm clocks on their tiny little feet and hope they show up on time. It got to be a little tricky with the time change so Arizona stopped and no longer adjust for daylight savings." Oh well, duh! Ok, bring out the birds.... lol

This was the last bird of the show and the wingspan was five feet from tip to tip. Just a beautiful bird. We saw a raven, an owl, and a falcon (I believe.)

Sorry, pictures are out of order, but this is June and her secret service agents on the bridge crossing the Rio Lobo River in Old Tucson Studios. A lot of the old western movies with John Wayne were filmed there. Even episodes of Little House on the Prairie and Bonanza. After the desert museum, we spent a few hours in the afternoon at the studios. Great photo ops...

This is another picture of Kathy Jo just not getting the map.....

Some how over the past two days, I have kind of become the map reader. June - don't think she even looked at one, she just keeps saying, "I'm with you guys..." Kathy Jo - now this girl just can't read a map.... Even if we are looking at the same map!

We had finished the birds at the museum and were making a plan of what we wanted to see and where to go to next. No, Kathy Jo, your map is upside down and see yours says the same as mine.... Really...

Finally we decided on the route to go, but just not which way to head out...

(We went with my plan... and made it out alive.)

Oh and we even took a little side trip (there are no photos of this just for the sake that we didn't want to leave any evidence and to protect the innocent) we drove up on an unpaved loop to an overlook in the Saguaro National Park in search of the best sunset photo opp spot. But did I mention that we are using the Mercedes that is in the garage of the house we are staying??? Is this an off road vehicle? Does it have 4 wheel drive? Are the tires in decent shape? Is the tank full? The answer would be no to all of the above but it actually drove very nicely down the water wash (or drive river bed) that was the road.... Just a little side adventure to add to our memories of another fantastic day.

They we came back to the house after the sunset and I made dinner for the girls. Pork chops with cinnamon apples and raisins on top with a baked potato (Great recipe from Rachel Ray) and we uploaded our photos and had even more laughs. Oh and we went out to see all the stars - such a clear night and there are no street lights out here so it was just an fabulous site to see all those stars!

But getting pretty late and I am finally starting to feel a little tired. Should call it a night. Tomorrow is another day. We plan to just hang out at the house though til we go to my aunt and uncle's for a BBQ. Our weekend is coming to an end too fast - makes me sad. These gals are such beautiful people that I am blessed to have as friends. It has just been a perfect time catching up, laughing and sharing the wonders of this area.

So til next time....

Laura