The other day I was driving north on the 101 freeway. I looked to my left, and I was being passed by a GIANT saguaro cactus (pronounce "sah-wah-ro" for you non-Arizonians). Not just a run of the mill cactus people--we are talking a 35 foot, magnificent, plump saguaro cactus, riding on the back of a huge flatbed truck. It was a beautiful sight, and one that you probably only see in Arizona. Since the cactus was headed to Scottsdale, I’m guessing she was on her way to the mall for a new handbag or pair of shoes.
I’ve long had an obsession with the mighty saguaro. As a child, my parents encouraged me to count the saguaro cacti along the road on our trips down to Phoenix—an effort to distract me, I’m sure. I once counted 4,123 cacti from Winslow to Phoenix. I’ve been in love with the saguaro ever since.Let’s all take a moment to appreciate the beauty that is the saguaro cactus…through facts and pictures.
The average saguaro cactus is 30 feet tall and has 5 arms.
It takes approximately 100 years for a saguaro to reach maximum height. (It only took me 12 years to reach my maximum height of 5'1")
A saguaro cactus can hold over one ton of water. Can you do that?
The saguaro flowers every May and June. The saguaro cactus blossom is the state flower of Arizona.
We love you saguaro, oh yes we do!
5 comments:
I'm glad you started a blog, Paige. Now maybe I'll actually talk to you sometimes! :)
Nice saguaros!
-Samuel
huzzah!!! i'm so happy!
Was this a treasure hunt? I found you!
I love the desert plants. Manzanita. Ocotillo. Pretty much everything in the Sonoran desert. The Mountains. The lightning. Citrus. Olive Trees. Love. Love. Love. Oh, Tucson Desert, I miss you, I love you.
OK, I just showed Nathan your blog.
And he read the WHOLE thing. He chuckled outloud and read in open-mouthed anticipation. Then he said that was a pretty funny blog about the cactus.
He hasn't read too many blogs all the way through, so you should feel honored. Someday he might even leave a comment.
My only question is, why has no one told me those things had names before?? You'd think I would have heard of them before NOW considering all the time I spend with Arizonians!!
janae
ps. just FYI, all the comments from 'the ricks' will be from me, so I'm not going to sign my name from now on. Just wanted to clarify since Sam apparently beat me to the blog. If he comments, he'll sign his name. But if other blogs are any sign, he won't comment much. :)
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