Old west revisited

[Desert Rose]

Picacho Peak is a familiar landmark between Tucson and Phoenix. It is the backyard of my playground for hiking and exploring the old west.


The old Stage coach stop. In 1879 Southern Pacific Mail and Stage Line Company built this adobe building and mesquite corral as a horse changing station. In 1917 a ranch school was built on the property. The land is currently leased to local ranchers.


Abandoned Airfield. Built during WW2 as one of 5 satellite airfields which conducted basic flight training & the training of transport pilots in instrument flying & navigation. The Army Air Force acquired 632 acres in 1943. Improvements consisted of a 3,000' square asphalt landing mat, a crash truck station, a tower, and a perimeter fence. The field was classified as surplus in 1946. Parts of the asphalt still remains unclaimed by the desert. Reflectors and tie downs can be found along the old runway.


A day in the desert is not complete without a postcard perfect Arizona sunset.

[swilliams61]

Love the silhouette of the catcus...

[FoG]

Love the Catcus but also the first one shame there is so much haze ... out of interest do you use a filter ?

[shmelly]

Great photos Desert Rose, I kept expecting to see John Wayne or Clint Eastwood come riding through the scenes.

[Desert Rose]

Originally Posted by swilliams61

Love the silhouette of the catcus...

Thank you Susan. The giant saguaro cactus makes wonderful silhouettes.

Originally Posted by FoG

Love the Catcus but also the first one shame there is so much haze ... out of interest do you use a filter ?

Thank you FoG.

[Desert Rose]

Originally Posted by shmelly

Great photos Desert Rose, I kept expecting to see John Wayne or Clint Eastwood come riding through the scenes.

Thank you Michele. The desert has so many "old west" scenes. I have been at the old stage coach stop when a cattle round-up galloped past me complete with cowboys on horses. It was awesome! You just gotta grab the camera and start shooting. The guys were roping the cattle right in front of me. I was out there alone so it was my own private rodeo.

[terratrekking]

I love the colors in the sunset shot of the cactus.

Very nice.

[A-O]

wonderfull series....
really love the last one !
well done and thanks for sharing...

[lindyannajones]

What a beautiful place...and, boy, am I happy I live here! I appreciate the story you have created. The stage stop really has an old west feel to it! But...when I saw your last shot, I was transported to the 60's and a date I had with a college boy who had his own airplane. Doesn't every college student have one? We flew out to one of these old airstrips and hiked in the desert. What a nice memory! Thanks!

[Desert Rose]

Originally Posted by terratrekking

I love the colors in the sunset shot of the cactus.

Very nice.

Thank you terratrekking. Arizona sunsets are breathtaking this time of year.

Originally Posted by A-O

wonderfull series....
really love the last one !
well done and thanks for sharing...

Thanks A-O! It was hard picking my favorite sunset photo taken that evening.