In and around Casa Grande

Bob and Carol take us south from Casa Grande to Sells, in Pima County. Sells is the capital of the Tohono O'odham Nation.

We pass by some fences made out of the ocotillo cactus. When it is growing the ocotillo's pole-like branches look like large spiny dead sticks. Its beauty lies in the bright crimson flowers which burst from the tips of the branches in spring.

We stop at a road side market in Charco. Native American women are making frybread under an umbrella in the parking area of a roadhouse. I had seen frybread advertised at other roadside markets and was curious to find out what it was like.

Frybread is basically a flat dough, fried or deep fried in oil, shortening or lard! When placed in the oil as these ones were, the dough puffs up quickly.
I  remember having fried bread as a child in New Zealand. I used to love it.  I guess that this is similar save for the significant role it plays in some modern Native American cultures and that it is made from scratch and not from a loaf of bread. It can be served as a dessert or as a main dish bread. We had frybread tacos. It was quite a meal!

Carol, our tour leader!

We sit on the low brick wall of the parking area and eat our frybread tacos. We are out in the desert; there are very few people around; it is a lovely sunny day;what could be better!

I have checked up on the calorific content of frybread not to mention the fat content.  I may not share that information with anyone else! Needless to say it tastes amazingly good.

We then head along Highway 86 to Kitt Peak, a mountain top at 6,875 ft and a spot that draws astronomers from all around the world. Clear nights, dry air and abundant mountain ranges make Southern Arizona an astronomy friendly destination.
Kitt Peak National Observatory offers night time star gazing year round.

Located high above the Sonoran Desert on the Tohono O'odham Reservation it is home to 24 Optical and 2 Radio telescopes representing dozens of astronomical research institutions.

The National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO) is funded by the National Science Federation. It's Visitors Center houses many exhibits and a gift shop. There are tours daily.


We have another mountain road to climb but today it is paved all the way. The view from the top is breathtaking ... as is the wind!

On our way back to Casa Grande we drive through the Saguaro National Park named for the cactus which exists nowhere else in the world  but  in the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, California, Baja California and Sonora, Mexico. It is an iconic symbol of the Wild West. The Park however is full of lush vegetation; I can only imagine what it must look like when everything is flowering.






The Sagauro (remember 'sah-wah-ro' )  grows on average to a height of 30 ft but it can grow to over 50 ft tall and live for over 200 years. It can also have a few or many 'arms'.  A multi armed cousin is the Organ Pipe Cactus which may be a more familiar name to some of you.

Our drive brings to an end a fascinating weekend of touring.  Great weather too.
We have seen such beauty which has come as a surprise considering we haven't yet been to the Grand Canyon for which the State is named.

Trevor very much wants us to go north to Flagstaff when we leave Casa Grande.  I am not at all keen. I worry that we will get into cold, even freezing weather with slippery roads and snow and ice.
Who will prevail????

We have received a wonderful surprise from Tim and Caroline in Florida.
A thermal drink glass each with our names on. The glasses are decorated with embroidered pictures on the sides. They will be used frequently I know!
Many thanks from the 'Honorary Floridians' - a title that Tim has bestowed on us.