Fort Lowell Museum; Saguaro National Park east

After the morning spent ensuring that I could continue to live by getting the necessary medication, missing because of my miscalculation, our plans to visit Old Tucson had to be shelved. Instead we went to Fort Lowell museum which is open on a Friday. It is a very small museum and focuses on the role of the troops at Fort Lowell. Their duties included escorting wagon trains to other posts, protecting settlers, patrolling the borders and conducting offensive operations against the Western and Chiricahua Apache Indians. In 1886 during the Geronimo Campaign there were 18 officers and 239 enlisted men. With the end of the Apache Wars there was no further need for Fort Lowell so it was abandoned.

I thought this was really interesting.

Imagine - 27 years!












There was a good bit of the afternoon left so we went to the Rincon Mountain District (East) of the Saguaro National Park. We visited the Tucson Mountain District (West) a few days ago. At the visitor Centre there is a huge picture window (just like at the West district) with a panoramic view of the Saguaro Park. It is unbelievably beautiful! We did the 8 mile loop drive - the Cactus Forest Drive - and really enjoyed it. There are lots of viewpoints.

   A panel outside the Visitor Centre showing the flora and fauna of the Saguaro National Park.

There are lots of Ocotillo which I really like.

Tanque Verde  Ridge

These are called Javelina Rocks because the javelinas like to shelter from the sun here. Again, no javelinas to be seen!

And that was that! Back home for a rest in the sun before it set. And as I write the Wild Man from Borneo (aka JIm) is parading the wilderness at the back, camera at the ready! Nothing discovered so far.