Boyce
Thompson Arboretum is the oldest and largest botanical garden in the state of
Arizona. It is one of the oldest botanical institutions west of the Mississippi
River. There are 4.7 miles of trails throughout the Arboretum, with gardens
representing 11 different regions of the world.
There were sculptures and statues here and there...
This looked like a variety of lilac but it didn't smell like lilac!
There was a rose garden loop...
Just a funky looking cactus
Interesting rocks called Barnes Conglomerate
The Prickly Pear are ready to burst with blossoms! I can't wait to see the cactus in full bloom!
The blooms are starting to pop!
A flowering Yucca
This tree is
a type of Eucalyptus called a River Red Gum
Boojum Trees. The boojum is a close relative of the native ocotillo cactus. It is found naturally only in central California on the coast of the Sonora Desert. These two large Boojum were planted at the arboretum in 1927. When they were planted they were about 10 feet tall. Boojums grow about 4" per year.
The first thing I thought of when I saw these was "The Grinch who stole Christmas." I think they look like the Whoville trees.
Ayer Lake with Picket's Post Mountain in the background.
Picket's Post Mountain
Picket Post
Mountain was both a landmark and lookout point during Indian wars. This was the site
of the outpost, Camp Pinal. Soldiers protected Pinal City and the Silver King Mine from Apache
raiders. It was also the home of Col. William Boyce Thompson, mining magnate
and founder of the South West Arboretum at the foot of the mountain.
The retaining wall holding up the Picket's Post House, built in 1923 by Thompson. He and his wife spent their first night in the house o October 21, 1923. The house became part of the arboretum along with the surrounding 400 acres. The project included creating a new lake, Ayer Lake, to serve as a water reservoir for the arboretum. Over the next century, the arboretum grew, adding plants, trees and specimens from around the world.
This is was the Drovers Wool Shed.
We had a picnic lunch.
A suspension bridge in the park going across the river. It was pretty bouncy!
We had a very nice day. The trail was much longer than expected and we were tired at the end!
We hope you all had a very Happy Easter!
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