Total Lunar Eclipse

On April 15, 2014 there was a total lunar eclipse.  As we were conveniently located at a RV park in northeastern Kansas, away from city lights, Kathy made plans to observe the event.  Weather folks and meteorologists on TV predicted approximate viewing times for our area...before going to bed a look out the window showed a bright full moon and no clouds.  Perfect!
    Kathy set an alarm for the assigned event time, but managed to wake up before it sounded...through the motorhome front window she was able to watch as the moon passed through the Earth's shadow; the moon finally became completely in shadow, then the colors began...indirect sunlight, filtered and refracted by Earth's atmosphere caused the moon to flicker with a reddish-orange-gold hue.  It was very neat to see!!
   (Note: to our more scientific followers...hope this is an accurate explanation of how a total lunar eclipse occurs!)

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is located south of Ajo, Arizona and extends to the border with Mexico. This section of the Sonoran Desert was established as a national park in 1937, primarily to preserve this environment from land use development.  In 1976, this area was declared an International Biosphere Reserve site by the United Nations because of it's plant diversity; rare and endangered species; and delicate ecosystems. Sonoran pronghorn deer, a tiny fish called a pupfish, and the Sonoyta mud turtle are a few of the vanishing species who call this region home.
    The Organ Pipe Cactus is common to Mexico, but is rarely found in the United States.  In fact the National Monument site is one of the few places in the US where large stands of these cacti exist.  The organ pipe cactus can live up to 150 years; it produces it's first flowers at age 35.  The flowers blossom at night, so they can be pollinated by bats, then close by mid-morning the next day.  
    Two scenic drives on winding, graded dirt roads take you into the desert valleys and canyons.  Hiking trails lead to the remains of historic ranch and mining sites.  Campsites and picnic areas are also available.