Feb.1st--During our stay in Organ Pipe state park we took a day trip on Aho Mountain Drive, a one way gravel road that formed a 21 mile loop through pristine desert wilderness. The scenery was magnificent and the desert was lush with many species of cacti.
Entering Organ Pipe National Monument bordering Mexico. 
Organ Pipe Cactus, indigenous to the southern part of the Sonoran Desert.
The jumping cholla, also called the chainfruit cholla after its long hanging chains of fruit.
Cholla cactus and mountain scenery.
Organ Pipe Cactus
A ramada originally built by the native Indians to shelter from the sun. The roof was made from the husk of the saguaro cactus. 
Interesting saguaro - The old men of the desert
The cacti are so tenacious that they actually seed themselves on the rocky sides of the mountain.
Larry and I
Natural arch, caused by erosion on mountain top.
Larry and Lori from the Double L Ranch on Vancouver Island.
Alvina and I in yet another desert.
Lori standing beside huge saguaro cactus. At maturity, they can reach heights up to 50 ft. and live as long as 200 years.
Old Spanish church in Aho AZ.
