Phoenix Desert Botanical Gardens

Until yesterday,  I thought there was only one species of cholla cactus but there are thirty five.  The same with barrel cactus, octillo, there are dozens of different types of the major cactus groups. After a while of looking at all the different types, you appreciate all the variety. The Phoenix Gardens has done a great job and it is staffed with many helpful friendly volunteers.

With the exception of a few trees, all the plants here are cactus and succulents. 

Hanging chain cholla. Click on any picture to enlarge.

Baja Fairy Duster bloom

Note the camoflauge in the feather pattern. It can hide very well on the desert floor.

Sundial made with many species of cactus.

Many types of birds love to live in the saguaro. 

Never knew roadrunners had blue in their tails. Meep, Meep!

We did not see this bloom open as it only opens at night.

Camelback Mountain is in the middle background

A ramada similar to those used by the Western Apache. They are a good work station to keep out of the sun.

A house of the type used by the Akimel O'odham (Pima). I went inside and it was surprisingly cool and roomy.  The family would also have a roofless outdoor kitchen, a ramada, and gardens protected by cholla walls.

Red hot poker aloe in bloom

Creeping Devil I would not want any creeping devils in my yard!

Cardon cactus. These were planted here when the garden opened in 1939.

2014 Chihuly Exhibit - Desert Botanical Gardens - Phoenix, Arizona

The Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix is a wonderful place to spend the day, but it is even more special when they have the special exhibit entitled Chihuly in the Garden.  Artist Dale Chihuly has created an amazing exhibition.  He is a world renowned artist in glass art .  His work is included in more than 200 museum collections worldwide...what an amazing, breathtaking experience!!!  If one of his exhibits is ever in your area, make it a "must see"; you will not be disappointed. We hope you enjoy....please click to enlarge so you can see the magnitude of these masterpieces...

Pinnacle Peak H3 Trail. Glendale, Az

There was a problem loading the pictures to this blog today as they did not appear in the correct order. The Thunderbird conservatory park is very near where we stay and we decided to do another trail there today.

We started off across Pinnacle Peak Road from the H3 trail on the H1 trail. You can see hikers  starting up the slope.

Lot of hikers any day here but this was somewhat of a holiday. The people here are strange. They love to get out and hike in the sunshine! It was 58F when this picture was taken.

Looking across Pinnacle Peak Road at part of the H3 trail. The part that we did not take. It was fairly level but the part we took went around and then over the top of the mountain.

Looking north toward the Mogollan Rim

This area is surrounded by houses

This one was interesting. It was built in the hill in levels. The lowest level is a playground, the second is a pool/hottub, the bottom floor of the house has a drive going to the front door

The driveway split and there was a courtyard with four garages and you entered the house on the second floor.

Crossing a bridge over Pinnacle Peak Road to the trail

Coming down of of Pinnacle Peak. You see the trail winding in the distance.

Looking down on the bridge crossing Pinnacle Peak Road

We hiked 5.5 miles through the hills and Jeanette is still feeling spry!