Sunday, December 22, 2013

Tucson to Flagstaff (now with more Florence)

Lori and I compared roadside sightings of crested saguaro, and determined that we would see one on this trip. And so we did, on Highway 60, in front of the Arizonian RV Resort. A fine specimen she is, too.




But, I'm getting ahead of Florence, who gets tired of the view when I do that. We enjoyed some Sonoran scenery along the Pinal Parkway (SR 79), until we got to Florence, AZ.

Florence has what looks like a charming old downtown. We had lunch at The Fudge Company, then moseyed along. There's not much else to say about the beauty spots of Florence; it's a prison town.

There is plenty to say, on the other hand, about beauty spots of Sedona. Please enjoy the following 3,000 words:









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20 comments:

Larry Vanstone said...

That cactus looks like a warm winter glove. How timely!

Chuck and Anneke's RV travels said...

Great cactus this picture. I was thinking it look like a baseball mitt

Gaelyn said...

I REALLY want to see one of those crested saguaros.

judilyn said...

There is a picture of a beautiful crested that hangs over the nurses' station in the radiation therapy clinic. It looks like a balled up fist. I think I like this one better, as it has that classic look of the stylishly wrinkled full-length opera glove! ;->

Pam said...

That is a great crested saguaro you captured there, I noticed right away that it looks like a big hand! Cool with a cloudy sky behind it, seems like everyone's desert pictures always have tons of sunny skies so it makes a nice change.

Spotted Dog Ranch: said...

I personally think those pictures are worth more than that. :)

Anonymous said...

Missing Arizona this winter. No saguaros here in OK, crested or un. Clouds aren't nearly as pretty here, & no mountains. Why am I here? Oh yeah, there's a lake with big fish for the hubby... Hmpf.

Renee

The Good Luck Duck said...

Renee, it sounds like OK is just ... okay.

Thanks, Chinle! Would you give me 3500 words for them?

Pam, I think there may be more cloudy skies lately than usual.

It's true, Judie; this cactus is a class act.

You should, Gaelyn! You'll have to get deeper into the Sonoran.

Anneke, I can see the mittishness of it. Perfect for a catcher with a forked index finger.

Brrr, Larry. I wish it were less timely.

John and Pam (ohtheplacestheygo.wordpress.com) said...

Love, love, love that crested wonder. It is a beauty!!! Thanks for sharing it:)

Travel safely!

JO said...

Actually I see a donkey to the top left. It is a cool looking one for sure.

Brenda A. said...

That is a fantastic crested specimen! Funny, but in all the times we've driven through Florence (a lot...it's one of the ways we avoided Phoenix) we never wandered into downtown. too anxious to get past the prison and on to the good stuff elsewhere I guess!

Leigh said...

LOVE the crested saguaro!

Unknown said...

What a classic creasted !!! Tucson has several of them and they are always fun to see!
Merry Christmas Roxanne... and a very happy new year!

Allison said...

That is an OUTSTANDING crested cactus.

Shadowmoss said...

I decided to try to find the crested one while my friends are visiting, but you obscured it just enough that my maps can't zero in on the location. Any help appreciated? I promise we will only look and admire.

The Good Luck Duck said...

Hi Shadowmoss - I believe the address is 15976 East US Highway 60
Gold Canyon, AZ 85118. But that's ALL the clues I'm going to give you! Happy Holidays.

The Good Luck Duck said...

Isn't it, Allison? It should be proud of itself.

Geri, Tucson must be the crested saguaro capital. Merry Christmas!

Leigh, I feel a prickly connection to saguaros of all sorts, and the cresteds are special specimens. Yay saguaros!

Jo, if you say it's a donkey, it's a donkey.

My pleasure, Pam! Happy travels to you, too.

The Good Luck Duck said...

Brenda, I'm happy to know of a Phoenix-avoidance route. Don't be afraid of the downtown. It may be the best part of Florence.

Bill said...

Beautiful photos. Wishing you a Merry Christmas season and a very Happy New Year!

The Good Luck Duck said...

Thank you, Bill. Merry Christmas, and a wonderful New Year to you.