Hot days in Arizona

We've had scorching sun and daytime temperatures in the mid eighties every day. We try to get our hikes in in the morning before the desert heats up. I came down with a sour stomach yesterday and am trying to recuperate so that I am not so lethargic. I'm still taking a morning hike with Nancy and we have had a couple of outings to take care of errands. But my stomach is constantly aching.
Tomorrow we move on to Roper Lake State park east of here but still in Arizona. The altitude is about the same as it is here so the weather should also be similar.
Yesterday we toured Suguaro National Park and marveled at the huge cactus forests growing in the foothills. The ancient people here believed that the cactus were people and were to be treated with respect. As you look across the desert you can imagine that there are people standing about with their arms stretched out.

Hiking into the wilderness in the Santa Catalina mountains. Dogs are not allowed in since they are re-introducing bighorn sheep to this area.

We met some cowboys and girls from Wisconsin along the trail.

 

A fishhook barrel cactus as tall as Nancy.

Purple Cholla taller than Nancy!

Desert Poppies were starting to bloom.

A soaptree yucca with it's plume shooting into the sky.

Our cousins the saguaro standing guard in the desert.

The indigenous people were very active here in this desert.

Indian art on the rocks. They etched their designs into the rocks, and they have remained for centuries!

A record of the hunt!

This is as close as we got to old Tucson. It appears that it's a tourist trap at $18 per head to go in and see the wild west sets for the old Hollywood westerns.

Oh, well, happy hour at camp turned out to be a better choice!