Saguaro National Park

 In Tucson, AZ., we went to this interesting National Park for an afternoon.  It was a cloudy day to be in the desert, so it worked out just right. :)

 When we first arrived at the park, we drove to a picnic area to eat lunch and just absorb the scenery.  I was telling the kids how they really need to be extra careful when we start our hiking, because there are millions of cacti all around!

Well, wouldn't you know, that I was the FIRST and ONLY one to get stuck by a cactus!  I was leaning over to look at some cactus fruit on one plant, only to get pricked by another one!  Sneaky thing!
It literally left about a hundred burrs on my leg, and it went through my jeans!  Not pleasant.....
What made matters worse, is there were no bathrooms close by.
 So what do you do, when you're in the middle of the desert, with a leg covered in cactus burrs?

Yep.  I pulled my pants down to my knees and picked them off!  (I know.  Too much info!)  HA!

All this to share, so that HOPEFULLY, you won't have to go through this pain or embarrassment!  ;)
We had a good laugh as a family, and it is one that we will all definitely remember years down the road.

Did you know that ONE of these Saguaros holds around 16,000 gallons of water!!!  Unbelievable.

Here is a picture of a saguaro with the 'skin' removed.  It has a kind of skeleton that holds in all that water.

Our Ranger was a super-friendly man, who is also a high school teacher.  He was very interesting, and encouraging to the kids. :)

To earn a Jr. Ranger badge at this National Park, is quite a feat!  They had to complete the entire 20 page workbook! ( Usually, depending on the grade level or age, there are assigned pages to each child, ranging from 4-10 in a workbook.)

Wonderful job Golden Gang!  This is #33 Ranger Badges so far!!  :)

Blessings,
Steph