Day 42: 9 Miles (not a typo)
Starting location: Snyder Hill BLM Land, Tucson, Arizona – 60 degrees
Ending location: Gilbert Ray Campground, Tucson Mountains Park, Arizona – 75 degrees
Major Stops: None
Weather: SunnyDay 43-45: Around the area
Major Activities: Saguaro National Park drives; Oil Change; Sweetwater Preserve Hike 4.3 miles
Since we had moved a day early, we only had a short distance to our campground today. So, we hung out at our boondocking spot working on blog posts and cleaning out Clarice until about 1pm.
I have been learning just how much dust there is in the desert; and when it gets windy, it is dust that masks the mountains not pollution as I originally suspected. And, yes the dust gets into the van. Living with a dog also creates fur cleaning challenges. OK, call me oblivious. I really did not think about this dust thing.
Tucson Mountains State Park
There, are no campsites in the Saguaro National Park; and, so we choose the Gilbert Ray campground which is linked right up to the national park and is part of Tucson Mountain Park. Tucson Mountain Park is 20,000 acres and was created in 1928 to protect the unique terrain and animal life of the Sonoran Desert. Like the National Park, dogs are not welcome on the hiking trails. Here was one of the four campsites we had. We literally had to move each day as we could not get a site for more than a single night. Booked too late, I guess.
Saguaro National Park
The National Park began it’s life in 1933 when 62,000 acres on the east side of Tucson was designated a National Monument. They added 25,000 more acres in 1961 when an area on the west side of Tucson was added to the monument. Finally, in 1994 the area became a full-fledged national park. This is the oddest National Park. Being split into two it surrounds a major city; and, I can see why they had to protect this desert area. Tucson would have just sprawled out and taken over the area without this protection. It is a very sprawling city.
Saguaros only grow in a very small area of the world. and, I’m not sure why these cactus are so picky, but you will not find many once you are outside of this area. According to the National Park brochure they like “gently sloping alluvial hills” and this area provides that type of environment. They grow so densely here that they are called cactus forests; and, they grow very slowly at first, an inch or so for the first six to eight years. Then they will sprout arms at around 70 years and do not reach their full height of 40-50 feet until they are 150 years old.
Saguaro East – Rincon Mountains
Since Dottie cannot hike in the National Parks, and frankly desert hiking is not really my favorite thing, we drove the hour over to the east side and drove the Cactus Forest Loop Drive. Below are pictures from this drive that you share with bikes.
Dottie’s new fashion statement
Dottie has been picking up some nasty cactus thorns in her paws. So, after we left the east park, we found a Petsmart; and, Dottie got some new boots. At first she danced in them and was not terribly fond of them. However, after the Mom’s learning curve was overcome and she learned to make sure the dew claw was inside the boot, and the boots were on her feet tightly with the soles in a better position, Dottie found she liked them. She especially liked all the attention she got from the other campers admiring her boots.
Dottie gets to hike
The helpful park ranger at Tucson Mountain park pointed us to the Sweetwater Preserve nearby. Dogs are welcome on their trails and here are some shots of our 4.3 mile hike. There were also some mountain bikes, so beware of those folks if you hike here.
Saguaro National Park West
Our campground was right next to the west side of the National Park. So, we did not spent much time there specifically, but here are a couple of shots from the area.
Maintenance and an observation
It was time for Clarice to get her second oil change. So, we located a Dodge dealer who used the kind of oil we use (I don’t change the type once I start with a new vehicle), so we made an appointment for 8am on a Monday morning. Tucson only has one real expressway, and lots of surface roads, so I was expecting a bad traffic jam. I was wrong. We drove across town to the dealer very quickly.
Dottie and I walked around the area while the oil change was being done. One thing that is very interesting in Tucson is that almost all houses, no matter their value, have fenced in/gated and locked driveways. I found this quite fascinating as it is usually just the very wealthy who do that back home.
Note on slowing down
You may have noticed that I have slowed down a bit on the posting. Part of that is that I have frankly slowed down. We were moving too fast, and I needed to slow it down a bit. Additionally, we visited some relatives and have been out of cell coverage on and off. So, apologies if you have been wondering.
Dottie! I had no idea that you are so stylish! You have many hidden talents and it is wonderful to see you bloom. Can’t wait for your return to Michigan, so Victoria and I can steal your boots. I get first dibs on the fronts!
LOL….Dottie has me beat on the fashionista score! Victoria probably taught her. 🙂
I spent some time in the desert in AZ. Everything has thorns, including the grass, bushes and trees. Saguaro cactus can be avoided easily. Watch out for the charro cactus. It’s also called “jumping cactus”.
Wow, I did not know you lived in AZ. Agree, the desert is full of dangerous things. Dottie got some of that jumping cactus on her snout. I had to use the lease to pull it out of her as I could not get hold of it and did not have any gloves with me. Poor baby! I will be watching more closely to keep her out of it.
Hi Karen – I love the pictures of the desert with the Saguaros. Very beautiful! Looks like you’re enjoying the warmer weather. It’s been pretty cold here. Today the wind is blowing, but if finally warm for the moment at 42 degrees. I look forward to your next update!
Tell Dottie her boots look great!
She says thanks! 😁. I think she is rocking them now!
Tell Dottie she looks good in those boots. Interesting how once they were put on correctly that she got comfortable in them! How did you figure that out? Good for you slowing down!
Dottie says thanks! 😀. She has a little prance in her step now.
I googled how to get them to stay on. What did we do before the internet? I can barely remember. Ok no age jokes now. 😁
Hi Karen, this time you crossed my path ahead of me. My family is heading to Tuscon in April for my daughter’s celebration of marriage. Thanks for the tips. See you out there!
Congratulations Jay! Hope you have a fabulous time!
Loving your posts, Karen. Stay safe!
Thanks Ang! Dottie has boots and I have bear spray. 😁