Arizona: Casa Grande

May 02, 2022

Arizona: Casa Grande

1-2 May 2022

Sometimes things work out so that you have an enforced “day off”. Today was that day. We got up early, awakened by the sunshine, out so (relatively) early here in the eastern edge of the Pacific time zone, and took off to see the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. Alas, it was closed on Sundays and Mondays, gate locked, and no way to explore on our own…we leave tomorrow, so we drove back to our RoadHouse and I did a cleanup (it needed it) and Dan worked on his International Standards work. We noted LOTS of agriculture in the area—this is the Sonoran Desert and water flowed in aqueducts and fields were green. Lots and lots of green fields. Lots of lots of closely-spaced homes too. I looked it up and this area gets 9 inches of rain per year (compared to 39 inches of rain plus 70 inches of snow per year at home, on average), but there was no lack of water here. I’m confounded.

Since we got here yesterday and had some time last night, I asked Dan if we could drive into town to see the Casa Grande Neon Park. It’s right in town, kind of hidden behind some offices and beautifully xeriscaped with healthy cacti. Tall palms ring the general vicinity, making for some nice additions to the photos of the neon signs. It’s a small park but one of those “fun things” (like the giant pistachio) that I love when I’m on the road.

It was nearly completely dark when we got back to the RH, but I wanted to get some pictures of the saguaros at the front of the RV Park. They are HUGE and appear healthy. Along with ocotillo, saguaros really grab me.

I hope you enjoy the little neon park and the big cacti.