Sunday in the Desert

Hubby and I decided Sunday would be our last full day to do some serious AZ geocaching, for this season. The temps are rising into the 90s this week and rattle snake sightings are widespread, so it is time to wrap up desert caching. On the other hand, the cacti are blooming. Spring has arrived. 

cholla

another cholla

same cholla

don't know why some have red flowers and some have yellow?

it appears to be the same species.

hedgehog

We saw a hedgehog with 21 open flowers.

The largest either of us has ever seen.

But no camera with me on that walk.

hedgehog close-up

crested saguaro

We saw 3 that afternoon.

second one 

close-up of the fan top of #2

#3 crested saguaro

There are two more in the area.

We'll find them next year.

stone house, the highlight of the day

holes in the corrugated metal roof allowing little circles of sunshine

It was/is in great condition.

No doors, no windows, but the walls and floor

are all intact.

neat stone fireplace

someone has placed a grill in front of it

no other signs of a squatter as the building was/is

very clean

nice, almost covered front porch

Here is the story behind the stone house:

The line shack was used by cowboys while they were out on the range. Forty years ago there were bunk beds, a kitchen and a well to make it complete.