Saguaro National Monument

Tucson has two Saguaro "sah-WAH-row" National Monuments. One on the east and one on the west side of the town.

This is the one on the east with a roller

coaster ride that I remember doing once on bicycle.

The one way road goes for 8 miles through areas of all types of cactus. But the statley Saguaro, the blossom of which is the Arizona state flower, is why people visit here.

I will have to revisit in June when the Saguaro blossoms are at their finest. About a month or two later the bright red fruit are ready for harvest. No longer harvested by the indigenous people, it is ready fruit for the birds.

Saguaro skeletons stand tall.

Wild flowers cover the desert floor.

Havalinas find shady areas next to the visitor center to rest during the day.