Papago Park, Arizona

Papago Park is a large park between Phoenix and Scottsdale that features a golf course, a garden, a zoo, and a lot of trails for people to explore.

The landscape is classic desert, though I found it odd to be able to look to the horizon and see glass and steel buildings.

Papago Park--a typical view

Civilization not far away

A massive cactus

We climbed one of the mounds that was just behind a volleyball court!

Can we get there?

Walking up the side

People up higher than I would go

Coming back down

Another mound

On top of another that other mound

Relaxing!

One of the stars of the park is Hole-In-The-Rock, a natural formation that is indeed a hole in the rock. Actually, a bunch of holes (called tafoni by the scientific types) are in the top of the formation. The first time we tried to go there the area was crowded with people and we couldn't find parking. The next time we were able to park and to make it up to the top.

Seeing it from a distance

View to the east 

A nearby hill

I'm there!

Unnatural stairs

Me and...the parking lot?

Another angle

Buried in Papago Park is Governor Hunt's Tomb. George Hunt was the first governor of Arizona and served for seven terms. He, his wife, their daughter, and other family members are buried there.

Hunt's Tomb

View into the zoo from the tomb mound

Memorial plaque

Later in the trip we visited the garden which will get its own post. We did not go to the zoo though we were interested.