The transit to Arizona was not the happiest. AA are fine and stick to time, but their idea of first is not the same as BA’s, or certainly not on domestic long haul flights. I knew that of course, but hadn’t taken account of constant turbulence on the overnight flight to Phoenix, even after climbing to 40,000 feet. My eyes were shut but there was little sleep! The views as the sun rose over the desert cheered me.
Undeterred, I bought a large coffee, picked up the car, and set off south. The joys of Interstate 10 enlivened me as did the range of FM stations, plus the prospect of the number one thing to do around Tucson according to TA.
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum was genuinely captivating although my presence probably did bring the average age of visitors down to the mid sixties. There was a very good restaurant – my beef brisket was as good the birthday version!
So let’s start with the flora which inevitably was in large measure cacti and thorn bushes -but what a variety.
Silver Torch amused by looks,
Bonkers Hedgehog, Texas Glory, and the Alamos Barrel were aptly named,
and then there were standard western film cacti and the Joshua Tree, which I’d listened to on the way to HNL!
I was also taken by these, the first of which is a Texas Olive!
Truth be told, though, I think almost everyone preferred the fauna since that’s where the crowds gathered, particularly the humming birds which were delightful.
Other birds were appealing, though names escape me…
The animals were good too, though the beavers and the otters were sleeping in darkened rooms ( which could be illuminated momentarily), while I felt for the wolf
and was very taken by the prairie dogs.
But that was enough. Off to my Staybridge suite to catch up on sleep, assuming that was possible given the exciting prospect of the Pima Aircraft Museum and the Boneyard. I won’t have problems with names there!
Mandy says:
Love the hedgehog cactus and beautiful birds.
February 8, 2017 — 8:50 am
Andrew says:
A great combination!
February 9, 2017 — 4:51 am
Douglas Fairley says:
Prairie dogs look brilliant. Do they speak with Russian accents?
February 8, 2017 — 11:15 pm
Andrew says:
Pass. We just gazed at one another. One of those touching man and animal moments.
February 9, 2017 — 4:50 am