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Places Visited: Sunday, April 17 Voyager RV Resort; Tucson, Arizona--- $ this was our free night. Full hookup paved interior streets with gravel sites N32° 5.558' W110° 50.274'. At one time or another Voyager RV Resort was named the #1 RV Park in the country. Our plan was to get up early so we could get to the Arizona-Sonora Desert museum before it got hot. That didn't happen. Yesterday's activities and the 94-degree heat took the starch out of us. We got away but it was not early. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is first class. It is a privately owned and operated facility with facilities rivaling any taxpayer operated museum of this type. The "museum" moniker is a bit misleading since much of what is available is outside. Museum in this case covers a good zoo of local animals ranging from a prairie dog colony to mountain lions and black bears all in natural settings. Cactus Wren at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson, Arizona
Cactus wren on cholla cactus at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson, Arizona.
Gambal's Quail at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson, Arizona
Gambal's Quail at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson, Arizona.
Prairie dog at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson, Arizona
Joyce and Organ Pipe Cactus at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson, Arizona
Joyce with Organ Pipe Cactus at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson, Arizona The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson, Arizona does a good job of covering Arizona geology with plenty of fossil artifacts. Natural History is covered as well. We went from one interpretive display of living animals and plants to another all native to the Sonoran Desert region ----an area encompassing parts of Arizona and California in the United States and the Mexican states of Sonora and Baja California. In total more than 300 animal species and 1,200 kinds of plants are on display----alive and in their natural desert settings. This is all presented on almost two miles of paths on 21 acres of beautiful desert. We are here at a good time. The desert is in bloom. Agaves, creosote bushes, prickly pear, cholla, barrel cactus and palo verde plus a wide variety of lesser known cacti are in full bloom. Desert plants have such beautiful blooms. The huge saguaro cactus will bloom any day now. Agave bloom at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson, Arizona
Prickly pear cactus bloom at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Agave in bloom on left with a variety of prickly pear cactus blooms that come in all colors.
Prickly pear cactus bloom at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson, Arizona
Prickly pear cactus bloom at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson, Arizona
In one area they have created a desert oasis complete with animal, bird and fish exhibits all in natural settings. One outdoor exhibit in the oasis setting is a completely enclosed ½ acre aviary. I say enclosed but it is out doors although completely encased in wire mesh. Hundreds of native birds flit around the enclosure seemingly oblivious to the people walking around. Nesting and other activities are right there where everyone can see and the birds do not seem to mind. This is one of the best bird exhibits I have ever seen. Another exhibit is the hummingbird house where numerous hummingbirds fly around nesting and feeding in a huge plant filled room. Desert plants are identified throughout the facility. Docents are strategically placed to provide information. The museum is primarily an outdoor experience with a few indoor exhibits. I can't say enough about the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. It should be at the top of your list of things to do and see when visiting Tucson. From the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum we went about 5-miles down the road and enjoyed the west section of Saguaro National Park. By this time we had achieved our fill of deserts especially since the temperature was in the 90's. If limited by time I think the best of the two Saguaro National Parks to visit would be the east. Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona
We have been here for two days and have passed Davis Monthan Air Force Base umpteen times. It is only a few miles from our RV-Park and on the same road. Those "hanger-queen" helicopters should bring back memories for some.
Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona
Davis Monthan AFB holds a special place in many Pensacola memory banks. Back in my working days at the Naval Aviation Depot in Pensacola, Davis Monthan AFB was the source of "last resort" for air craft parts. Navy and Air Force air craft are flown to Davis Monthan on their "last flight" where they are mothballed in the dry climate. Some of these planes actually come out of their "preserved" status and fly again. Many end up being robbed piece by piece to keep aircraft in the fleet flying. Some of the aircraft we saw are hardly recognizable as aircraft so many parts have been removed. For those of you who have not seen Davis Monthan AFB I can tell you there are a LOT of old aircraft all lined up in neat rows stretching further than you would believe. Davis Monthan AFB conducts a tour of the base. It is something on our list of things to do but it will not be on this trip. Until next time remember how good life is. More Arizona AdventuresAdventures by State ** More 2005 Travel Adventures
Mike & Joyce Hendrix
Mike & Joyce Hendrix who we are We hope you liked this page. If you do you might be interested in some of our other Travel Adventures: Mike & Joyce Hendrix's home page Travel Adventures by Year ** Travel Adventures by State ** Plants ** Marine-Boats ** Geology ** Exciting Drives ** Cute Signs ** RV Subjects ** Miscellaneous Subjects
We would love to hear from you......just put "info" in the place of "FAKE" in this address: FAKE@travellogs.us Until next time remember how good life is.
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