Located next to Tucson Arizona, Saguaro National Park is an incredible place to visit.
While the famous saguaro cactus needs no introduction, it must be seen in person to fully appreciate its majesty. They are patient, growing only a few inches a year. How slow? At age 10, a saguaro will be about 1 inch in height. At 70, six and a half feet. At 100, 15 feet. At 200, the saguaro will be fully grown at a towering 45 feet high.
Based on those estimates, the Saguaro cactus at my campsite (pictured in the gallery) is way older than I am. Probably wiser too. I estimate that it started growing sometime around the American Civil War.
One more note about Saguaro National park. There are rattlesnakes and they don’t believe in compromise or negotiation. I had several attempts at night sky photography interrupted because a rattlesnake wanted my spot.
