First stop on the official road trip was the city of Tucson, AZ. Located 2 hours southeast of Phoenix, this wonderful city is home to the University of Arizona and Saguaro National Park. Saguaro is split into two national parks (one on the west and one on the east). The western one is known for its petroglyphs and saguaro cacti forest. The Eastern one is known for the wildlife, waterfalls, and mountainous overlooks. I chose the Loma Verde trail in the eastern park to get a feel for the park, but encountered some wild pigs known as javelinas at the visitor center!
These poor guys were panting due to the intense heat and resting in the cool shade. There were three newborns too!
Soon I was off on the 2 hour trail through the desert, on the Loma Verde trail which empties in to the Pink Hill Access trail and finally rounds off on the Squeeze Pen Trail. Halfway through I realized that storm clouds had started moving in from the west, and I needed to hurry up to get to my high school friend (Pradeep's) place. So I broke into a sprint!
Of course no journey to Tucson is finished without some Mexican food (here courtesy of Guadalajara Grill). A carne asada chimichanga can go a long way, let me tell you!
And of course eating some Sonoran Hot Dogs at El Guero Canelo with your good friend Dr. Koripella! Many thanks for hosting me!
