The majestic Saguaro in southern Arizona. the Sonoran Desert is the only place in the world the Saguaro cactus grows.The San Cayetano Mountains, Rio Rico, Arizona. We are about 15 miles from the border of Mexico from here.Elephant Head Rock in Green Valley, as seen from Interstate 19, southern Arizona.Green Valley, Arizona as seen from Interstate 19.The road, route 982 east from Sahuarita, Arizona.Route 982 east in southern Arizona.Route 982 east.Route 982 east through southern Arizona.Route 982 east.Route 982 east.Holes in the Saguaro cactus are made by birds, most likely wood peckers. These holes become homes for various desert creatures.Route 982 east dead ends into route 83 north/south.Cholla on route 83 in southern Arizona.Cholla on route 83, southern Arizona.Interstate 10 east from Tucson to the New Mexico border.Southern Arizona from Interstate 10 east.From Interstate 10 east in southern Arizona.Interstate 10 east.Interstate 10 east to the border of New Mexico.Interstate 10 approaching the Dragoon Mountains rest stop, this has always been one of our favorite places to stop for a break.Dragoon rest stop.Our Leisure Travel Van at the Dragoon rest stop. Dragoon rest stop.Interesting, the first rule at the Dragoon rest stop is to “Rest and Relax.” People have to be told to rest?Sunset in Dragoon Mountains.Dragoon rest stop.From the Dragoon rest stop you can see the mountain pass where wagon trains carrying settlers and supplies came through this area in the 1800’s.These rock formations are everywhere at the Dragoon rest stop.Crossing the border into New Mexico on Interstate 10 east.
The roads we used to get from Rio Rico, Arizona to New Mexico: Interstate 19, route 982 east, route 83 north to Interstate 10 east. I could’ve posted hundreds of beautiful pictures of this area – see my post entitled, “Southern Arizona” for more.
People usually picture hot desert when thinking of southern Arizona. However, southern Arizona is more about mountains than anything else. If you’ve never visited southern Arizona don’t assume the worst, it’s a beautiful, green place of mountains, rivers, rolling hills, cattle ranching and wine country. In the 1800’s most of the towns were established as mining towns that eventually changed to ranching after the mines closed.
Southern Arizona is 5-10 degrees cooler than Tucson and Phoenix. Don’t miss out, check out Arizona’s best kept secret!
(The picture above is of the Pecos River in southwest Texas.) My name is Terry C Barber, I am a disabled veteran, retired military and retired pastor. MaryAnn’s a retired special education teacher. Our Next Chapter, the open road – we call it “the Barber Road.” You're invited to join us as we explore North America in our Leisure Travel Van with two Shitzu pups.
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