The best other route goes thru Vail to Houghton Road and thru THREE school zones... and there are no Saguaros to enjoy. The third route is to take I-10 into Tucson... this is quickest if you want to go to the old downtown part of Tucson or the west and north parts of the city.
photo by Shirley Goerlitz
The entrance to Saguaro National Park is right off Old Spanish Trail...
photo by Shirley Goerlitz
And there are lots of these giant Saguaros close to the road.
photo by Shirley Goerlitz
Shirley soon learned to go across the road to avoid catching cars with her camera.
photo by Shirley Goerlitz
There is one corner of the Old Spanish Trail that affords a great views of the Saguaro forest.
photo by Shirley Goerlitz
These majestic cactus grace the ridge and welcome us whenever we whiz past.
photo by Shirley Goerlitz
It is kind of like a drive thru Saguaro National Park without having to pay any park admission.
photo by Shirley Goerlitz
There are also some interesting buildings and events that happen along the Spanish Trail... like at this barnyard where every Saturday there is a Farmers Market... and the place is packed.
photo by Shirley Goerlitz
This only billboard on the road looks antiqued... and features some of the events and places in this Rincon Valley.
photo by Shirley Goerlitz
Like this Rocking K Ranch where you can do trail rides and other horse and roping events.
photo by Shirley Goerlitz
They also have the Rincon Valley Cowboy Church here.
photo by Shirley Goerlitz
The sun was setting as we were on our way home from the Tucson Home Show at the Convention Centre. I love the long shadows at the end of the day.
photo by Shirley Goerlitz
This was the first cactus flower of the season we have seen. If we hadn't stopped to take the long shadow photos we would have missed this beauty.
This sign is close to the turn off where we leave the Spanish Trail and go right onto Camino Loma Alta. We have yet to visit the Colossal Cave... just waiting for some visitors to take there.
There are only three stop signs from our Del Webb community to Houghton Road when going to town on the Old Spanish Trail... and coming back there are none from Houghton Road to home.
This cyclist has just turned off Spanish Trail onto Loma Alto.
There is an endless bike lane all the way from our community into Tucson. Next year I hope to have a bike and make an occasional trip to Tucson on my bicycle.
On Loma Alta is the fire station...
And right beside it is the water reservoir.
There are lots of signs warning of cattle... open range... etc.
And we cross four cattle guards on this route to town. But I have yet to see our first cow or critter on any road here.
However I did see a few bees enjoying these flowers.
And I caught a little rabbit trying to hide behind this prickly pear cactus. See the sunshine in his ears?
I was intrigued by this sign on Camino Loma Alta.... I think it tells us this is a scenic route to view Saguaro cactus... but when I looked around the only Saguaro, which is behind this sign... it is pretty dead with all its arms drooping down.
photo by Shirley Goerlitz
Coming down Rancho del Lago last evening before turning into our Del Webb community the sun had set and the palm trees were silhouetted against the mountains in the distance. I had to stop so Shirley could get one last photo. Some photos you just need to keep the memories forever.
Those are some awesome cacti! Massive, and so many! Can't wait to get to see them in their native habitat someday! Love the sunset shot, too.
ReplyDeleteWe can hardly wait to see you here. Your bed is ready and waiting.
ReplyDelete