Along for the ride: Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

On the Road to Organ Pipe

After winding our way through Anza-Borrego, we end up back on I-8. It's surprising to see all the green field of crops (rice included!) surrounding El Centro. Then we spot a large water tank illustrating the fact it's below sea level, making it relatively easy to siphon water off the Colorado river via canals to El Centro. No wonder the mighty Colorado is but a mire trickle by the time it reaches Sea of Cortez.

We pass a section of the old two lane road. It immediately brings back memories to each of us of traveling with our families by car when we were kids. In those days it was the custom to attach a canvas water bag to the front of the car for the radiator or to drink in case of an emergency. I mostly remember being extremely hot (cars weren't air conditioned then) and BORED. My brother and I constantly fought in the back seat. My poor mother tried to engage our interest in road games. One was trying to find a license plate on passing cars from the most different states, another was counting the cars on the long freight trains to find the longest one. Needless to say, crossing deserts is much easier and more comfortable now.

Section of old highway

Beginning of a freight train pulling

flatbeds with containers instead of box cars.

As we cross over into Arizona, we're immediately aware of a much larger presence of the Border Patrol than in California. In fact, there are so many stops, they become routine and we stop counting them. They do love the Border Patrol in Arizona.

Border into Arizona

Border Patrol stop #2

Border Patrol stop #4

Organ Pipe National Monument

The terrain becomes much more interesting as we enter the Organ Cactus National Monument. In fact, scenes of old western movies staring John Wayne instantly come to mind. Even though we don't have any hook ups we love our campsite. Peter's installation of new solar panels is working really well and our site only costs us $6/night. Plus it's really beautiful in the park. What's there not to like?

Road through Organ Pipe

Our campsite

After getting settled we take the nature trail that overlooks the campground. At the top of the ridge are wonderfully clear vistas.

Vista looking east from the top of the Nature Trail

True to the park's name, it does have its share of organ pipe cacti, that come in a variety of different forms.

Straight organ pipe cactus

and knobby piped.

Of course not all the cacti in the park are organ pipes.

Jumping Cholla with lots of spines to be aware of while hiking

Many are very beautiful, especially when in bloom.

Ocotilla

Then there's the might Saguaro cactus that has come to symbolize the west. They are so intriguing, it's hard not to take pictures of them.

in the late afternoon sun,

posing for a postcard,

or doubling for a space alien.

Not all desert plants are cacti. The Palo Verde (green tree) is quite common. It sheds its leaves whenever the weather's too harsh and relies on the chlorophyll in its bark to process sugars.

Palo Verde tree

with green bark.

This part of the Sonoran Desert hosts a large population of animals and birds.

Peter captures a jack rabbit with his camera.

Pack rat on display
in the Visitors Center

Bird's nest in a Saguaro

Late in the afternoon of our second day in the park, we start on a hike to an old abandoned mine. I return before reaching the mine, but Peter presses on and takes the following photos.