...A day of exploring the Saguaro National Park awaits us. Periodically, we like to eat breakfast out. Today, it was the Cracker Barrel Restuarant to devour those carbs in stacks of pancakes and cheese grits for day of hiking and picture taking.

After breakfast, we headed south. We read about a scenic detour to the Saquaro National Park (West) in the National Geographic's "Scenic Highways & Byways". It truly was spectacular. The variety of cactus were plentiful against a backdrop of amazing rock formations. We arrived at the Visitor Center and spoke to Doris, the VIP of the Month, about what to do and see. She recommended the 15 minute slide presentation, the Bajada Loop Drive (Dirt Road) with a stop at the Signal Hill Picnic area for a .25 hike up to Signal Hill to see the petroglphs, and a walk through the Cactus Forest. All worth it.

Next stop, The Arizona-Sonarean Desert Museum. DO NOT miss this. The entry fee is pricy, but worth every penny. You could spend the whole day there and more. Where else can you hang with hummingbirds, see a black bear, pet a stingray, walk among the floral and fauna of the desert, take home a small souvenir of a native gem, see underwater beauties, buy artwork, and have a fantastic meal?

We had planned to stop at "Old Tuscon". However, it is only open on the weekends this time of the year. We missed it by a day. Oh well, next time through.

We decided that we need a drink and a cool dip in the pool so we headed home and received a dose of Arizona Liquid Sunshine. We suddenly experienced a downpour so heavy that cars were slowing down and putting on their flashers....then it was blue skies...crazy.

We hit the pool for a bit. Then, went to Walt and Barb's rig to finish our card game and feast on Walt's delectable Spaghetti.

Tomorrow....Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and who knows....