"Some bonds are thicker than blood."
The words of Neil describing my relationship with his daughter, Alison, will stick with me forever. Alison and I grew up next door to each other and from our first meeting at the age of 8 were pretty much inseparable. You have family you are given and you have family you choose. Ali and I chose each other as family before we even knew we were making that choice. It's different than sisters, although that's the closest comparison I can make. I truly cannot imagine my life without her and all that she brings to it.
When Alison got married, I got a brother. When Alison had children, I became an Aunt. And today, her second child and my second niece, Gwen, turns 6!
Hard to believe it's been 6 years already!
Before leaving on my hike I was at Alison's for dinner and when I got there Gwen greeted me at the door saying, "Nikki, can you pleeeesse pretty pleeeease take a picture of a cactus for me on your trip? I've never seen one in real life!"
Happy 6th Birthday Gwen!
So, sweet, fun, adventurous Gwennie - Happy Birthday! Here are some of the cacti and flowers I've seen in my first 200 miles. I only know some of the names, but have been making up fun names as I go.
This is a Barrel cactus. Right now, all of them are blooming which is the yellow you see at the top. You can eat that, but be careful picking it off!
These are EVERYWHERE in all shapes and sizes. I think they are a type of Cholla cactus, or maybe a Buckhorn. They remind me of balloon animals!
Sometimes they wear yellow hats ;)
This one got so big it became a tree!
This one had 4 bird's nests in them! Those birdies have to be careful going in and out of their front door! Ouch!
This is an Agave, also called a Century Plant. We've been calling them asparagus plants. They grow several inches in a day, bloom and then die away and leave seeds for the next one to grow.
These are prickly pear cactus. To me, they look like Mickey Mouse ears!
This Gila Monster was hiding from me under the Mickey Mouse ears!
This is a Rainbow Cactus. I thought it was a pretty good name!
We called these Shin Grabbers because if you don't watch your step they'll get your legs!
Every day more and more of these little guys are blooming!
This is Ocotillo, but I like to call them Fire Pokers. They have thorny stems and bloom bright orange.
They get big too!!!!
This Saguaro's arms must have been a little tired.
Saguaro National Park has the most Saguaro cacti in the whole world!
Here's a video I took for you, Ava and Eli as I was walking through the park.
I hope you, Ava and Eli enjoy these - I love you all more than a cactus loves sun!