5 Shocking Facts about Arizona’s Saguaro Cactus. Did You Know These?

6 Comments

5 Shocking Facts about Arizona’s Saguaro Cactus. Did You Know These?

What's your favorite state?

For me, Arizona is in my top five. I love Arizona's dry desert! It's probably because the landscape is so different from what I grew up with on the east coast.

So when we got the chance to fly cross-country to Tucson, Arizona two weeks ago for an RVer’s Escapade, I couldn't wait! I was pinning desert photos weeks in advance. 

I was so excited to be beneath AZ's glorious pastel desert sunsets. And, be in the midst of cactus forests!

But, when we raced into the desert in Tucson's Sabino Canyon, I was shocked.

Look how big these cacti are! We're so tiny in comparison!

We hadn't seen these big guys in other parts of Arizona before. So, I did some research. 

Sabino Canyon National Forest, Tucson Arizona, NuventureTravels.com, Saguaro Cactus, Desert
 

Here are five shocking facts I learned about Arizona’s Saguaro Cactus.

Did you know these?

1. It’s the largest cactus in the US and it can grow to 70 feet tall!

That’s taller than a 5 story building! 

Sabino Canyon National Forest, Tucson Arizona, NuventureTravels.com, Saguaro Cactus, Desert

2. They can weigh up to 6 tons!

Okay, let me do some quick calculations. 

1 ton = 2,000 pounds

Our camper (Bernadette) = 2,000 pounds

1 Saguaro cactus = 6 Bernadette's!

That means one of these cactus’ can weigh up to six Bernadette’s! 

Sabino Canyon National Forest, Tucson Arizona, NuventureTravels.com, Saguaro Cactus, Desert
 

Now, that's a heavy load!

3. They only start growing arms or branches when they’re 50 to 70 years old.

In even drier areas, they may not grow arms until they’re 100 years old!

Here are some young bucks in the front right without arms and there's some old geezers in the back left with- let's count them- at least five arms! I wonder how old those old ones are?

Here are some young bucks in the front right without arms and there's some old geezers in the back left with- let's count them- at least five arms! I wonder how old those old ones are?

4. They normally live to be 150-175 years old!

Some are as old as 200 years! That means they’re almost as old as the United States of America (we’re 240 years old!)

More calculations: So, 200 years multiplied by 365 days per year...

That means, the oldest of these cacti have been standing in the same spot for 73,000 days! Can you imagine?

I wonder how old these two are?

I wonder how old these two are?

The left one seems to have extra growths.

The left one seems to have extra growths.

Sabino Canyon National Forest, Tucson Arizona, NuventureTravels.com, Saguaro Cactus, Desert

Side note: Talking about old...

Tucson Arizona San Xavior Mission del Bac Sonoran Desert

When we were in Tucson, we also visited San Xavior Mission del Bac. It's the oldest intact building in Arizona. The mission has been standing in the same spot since 1797 and has been a part of three different countries since then! Now, that's some history.

Okay, back to the final cool cactus fact. 

Sonoran Desert, Tucson Arizona, Saguaro Cactus

5. You can only find Saguaro Cacti in the Sonoran Desert. 

So, get plans going to adventure Tucson. Make sure to visit these three awesome Tucson spots while you're there. 

You can also see the Saguaro Cactus in Southern California or Northern Mexico.

 

These facts are crazy right? I had no idea! I kept telling whoever I could find around me- "Did you know...?" and "Did you know...?" 

Share these facts with your friends and see if they're surprised, too!

Stay updated on other fun findings from our #nuventures. 

Subscribe and we'll discover together!

You'll Also Like:

6 Comments

3 Places You Gotta Visit in Tucson, Arizona

2 Comments

3 Places You Gotta Visit in Tucson, Arizona

It's 4:46 AM on a Tuesday morning and here I am standing in Hartsfield- Jackson Atlanta International Airport snaking my way through the security line. We were preparing to get on a cross-country flight to Tucson, Arizona for a 48 hour trip.

It was a mad dash for us. We had so much fun!

Here’s 3 places in Tucson, AZ you have to visit!

1. Sabino Canyon

5900 N. Sabino Canyon Rd., Tucson, AZ 85750

Sabino Canyon is a 30 minute drive from Tucson’s airport at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains. There’s no shade in this desert. Our suggestion: only visit in the early morning or go at sunset.

We went midday and it was so hot we only lasted 30 minutes. Those thirty minutes were awesome, though!

We took the 0.5 mile nature trail and saw awesome cacti and wildlife.

Here's a packing list of 10 essential pieces of gear to have with you.

2. El Charro Cafe

311 N Court Ave, Tucson, AZ 85705

El Charro Cafe, Tucson, Arizona, Best Place to Eat, Best Restaurant in Tucson, Arizona, Near Sabino Canyon

El Charro Cafe was a yelp treasure we found and glad we did! 

We got in on a 95-year-old tradition by ordering the Carne Seca Recipe platter. For ninety five years, the restaurant has been solar cooking the carne on top of buildings in downtown Tucson in cages over several days to be served in your burrito.

Tucson has the perfect arid environment for the meat to be cooked by the sun. The owners won’t even do it at their Phoenix location. Pretty unique!

Ask for a sample before you order, though. Our waitress Bridgett said you either love it or you hate it. We loved it! We were so stuffed, we didn’t have room for their flan. Bridgett said they have the best flan. Our suggestion: save room for dessert and order the flan. We missed out. 

3. Mission San Xavior del Bac

1950 W San Xavier Rd, Tucson, AZ 85746

San Xavior is a thirty minute drive from Tucson's airport. The architecture, the surrounding views, and the history make it an awesome spot to stop! 

San Xavior is the oldest intact European structure in Arizona. The building has belonged to three different countries since it was completed in 1797. This was when Southern Arizona was a part of New Spain!

Then in 1821 when Mexico gained it's independence, the mission became a part of Mexico. Then, with the Gadsden Purchase, the mission became a part of the United States. Crazy history!

Mission San Xavior del Bac, Tucson, Arizona, Things to do in Tucson, Arizona, Things to See in Tucson, Where to Go in Tucson, Places to Visit in Tucson, Arizona, Desert

You'll Also Like These Posts: 

Stay updated

on other fun destinations we find on our #nuventures.

Sign up and we'll discover together. 

2 Comments

Our #nuamigos | Cool People We Want You to Meet: Meet Kimberly Weiss

2 Comments

Our #nuamigos | Cool People We Want You to Meet: Meet Kimberly Weiss

Meet Kimberly Weiss!

Where's home for you?: 

I am originally from the U.S. (east coast), but currently live in Singapore. I previously lived in the U.K. (London) for 4 years.

 

1. Where's your favorite place in the world? Why's it so special to you? 

Oh my! What a question. I do always like going back "home." I put that in quotes because my traditional home doesn't always feel like home anymore - but the place I grew up.

Going back to my favorite food places always makes me feel nostalgic. I finally went to Australia last year which was one of those countries always on my list of places I want to go, so that was pretty great.

I think generally though, I really do just like being in new places. I feel energized and refreshed when I travel to somewhere new.

 

2. What's one thing people always assume about you?

That I am always fun/happy/jolly.

I am a fun/happy person, but I do think to have a positive uplifting look on life you have had to experience some of the bad. There is a balance and I'm always appreciative of that and aware of hard times I've had. Even now when I'm feeling down. I know it's okay because I'm a normal person. Sometimes I'm excited and energetic and other times I'm tired and just want to hang out alone for a while.

People are always surprised by how much time I really like to spend time alone.

 

3. Tell us about the last time you took a leap of faith. How'd it feel?

Moving to Singapore after never even having visited was a big one. It felt great. I was really excited to be here. The initial feeling was ONLY excitement and I had delayed "Ah, omg, this is crazy!"

 

4. Tell us about something cool you're working on. 

I recently rebranded my website which I am really excited about. I'm over at:

I'm also working on a Podcast that I am planning on rolling out soon-ish.

Lastly, I'm really just working on growing my community, sharing my message and looking for opportunities to do that - through writing or speaking or any opportunity.

 

5. Tell us, how'd this idea come about?

I was sick and tired of the conversations going on about health - the focus on weight and especially how so many people have taken body positivity up that don't actually believe in it or think it only applies to ONE type of body. It engages me.

Rather than sitting around and complaining about it, I realized I had to be someone to say something about it and do the work.

I know there are other people that are sick of diets that are based on fake marketing terms like "clean eating" and I wanted to create a space for those people and really help. I want people to have more conversations about food and bodies and what really goes on and the stories we have, especially as women.

That's my goal - creating community, having the conversations, and reaching out to deliver programs and coaching to people that actually makes a difference and helps them stop freaking out and overthinking their life and that they need to lose 10 pounds because THAT will be the thing that makes them happy.

I'm not saying you can't make positive changes, but too much of it is based on short term results rather than long term change. I am not into that so I'm changing the conversation.

 

6. What's been the trickiest thing you've been trying to figure out lately?

Great question. I would say balancing business building with regular life. It's definitely hard when most of the people you know have regular jobs and you can't join them for drinks or dinner on a weeknight. Putting the work in even when that means waking up at crazy hours sometimes. Finding the balance. 

I would also say building community when I am someone that loves travel and I currently live abroad and have for a while. It's tough to build community with people when you can't always go to the conferences and meet ups and coffee dates because well.. you live a 24 plane ride away. That's challenging.

 

7. What's one thing you wish you had help with?

Definitely marketing!

I love what I do. I have a strong message that I care deeply about (That a pants size won't change your life, but letting go of pressure you put on yourself will and that it is OKAY to eat that extra cookie), but it's hard to get it out there.

People want the lose 10 pounds in 10 days diet and I will never offer that because it doesn't work.

Spreading my message and my work far and wide is what is important to me because I care deeply about the work I do and I want women to stop overthinking and putting so much pressure on themselves to be perfect with both their size and their lives.

 

8. Tell us about one of the coolest things that's happened to you recently. 

I met Lindsey from Nuventures! Joking around, but also serious. Having short impactful conversations has made a big difference to me lately and I am always open to more of that. 

Also, just getting feedback from clients and friends that my work is making a difference in their lives.

I recently had a friend tell me she showed my instagram page to her daughter because she wants her daughter to have role models that are strong and real like me and I'm the kind of inspiration she wants for her. My heart melted!

Those kind of comments make the biggest difference for me because being a positive role model and being honest is so important to me. There is so much BS out there and I don't want to be apart of it so I'm glad I can provide an alternative for people!

(Interjection by Lindsey: Kimberly and I had a 30 minute blind date via Google Hangout a week ago. We were connected through Starting Bloc. We had no idea who each other were, but took the chance. Glad we did, because an awesome new friendship has formed!)

 

9. What's one piece of advice or a motto you try to live by?

You do you. 

I don't ever think it helps to worry about how someone else is living their life or what works for them and think you have to do that as well. No two people are ever the same so you have to find out what works for you. This applies for every aspect of life - diet/career/relationships/lifestyle.

Just worry about what works for you and stay in your own lane.

 

10. How can we follow what you're doing? 

Currently digging Instagram the most so say hello over there!

I also write a bi-weekly newsletter where I provide ideas/motivation/inspiration and large doses of honesty. You can sign up for that here:

 
 

Did you think of someone during Kimberly's story?

Share this post with them! 

You never know what kind of encouragement this will provide:)

Meet more of our #nuamigos.

Sign up for emails and we'll learn about new, cool people together. 

2 Comments

10 Fun Facts About Our World I Learned While Writing a Children's Book

4 Comments

10 Fun Facts About Our World I Learned While Writing a Children's Book

If you were handed a ticket to go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Wouldn't that be an awesome surprise to get? The little girl in my children's book gets this chance but with three different tickets. So awesome, eh?

While we were in the midst of our international travels, I had a children's book idea. It was all inspired by one white pup we met in Bali. Her name is Putih (Poo-tee). I was still writing the travel guide How to Buy a Campervan in New Zealand at the time, so when it was done I jumped on this children's book idea. 

Well, it turns out, the little girl decides to go to three countries I've never been to before. So, I've had to do some research on these places.

Photo by Leo Rivas- Micoud from unsplash.com

I don't want to spoil the story, because I think it'll be a fun book for you to read. To know when it's ready, you can sign up here and I'll keep you posted:)

It's been so much fun writing it! I've learned some fun facts I never knew. 

While some friends are reading the next draft and I'm waiting for their feedback, I want to share these fun facts I've learned this week. Maybe they'll shock you, too!

 

10 fun facts about our world- did you know these?

 

1. English is not the most spoken language in the world.

Kanji by Niketh Vellanki from unsplash.com. Kanji is a form of Japanese writing with Chinese characters. 

What? I know! It's terrible that was my assumption. English is actually the third most spoken language. There are two languages spoken more than English. Guess which ones. The second most is Spanish. The first is Mandarin! Makes sense with populations.

 

2. Did you know India has six seasons instead of four?

Photo by Tim Gouw from unsplash.com

I never thought having more seasons than spring, summer, autumn and winter was an option. India has an extra season between summer and autumn: monsoon season. They also have another season between autumn and winter, the pre-winter season called Hemant Ritu.

 

3. Did you know in Spain, they don't have the tooth fairy- they have a tooth mouse!

Photo from unsplash.com

His name is Ratoncito Perez. He's a Little Mouse that exchanges your teeth for a gift. I don't know how I'd feel imaging a mouse with a long tail jumping under my pillow in the middle of the night. However, I don't know if the kids put their teeth under the pillow. Anyone know?

 

Photo by James Douglas on unsplash.com

4. In India, toe rings are a symbol of marriage. 

We have a "finger ring" as a sign of marriage. In India, toe rings are the symbol where they're worn on the second toe of both feet. Girls who aren't married don't wear toe rings. Interesting! I think it's cool! Source. 

 

5. Did you know the Amazon Rain Forest creates one third of the earth's oxygen + holds one fifth of the earth's fresh water reserves?

I had no idea either. We gotta protect that space. It helps us all. Source. 

Photo by Eutah Mizushima from unsplash.com

 

6. Did you know Brazil holds the most species of monkeys in the world?

Me either! I would expect it to be somewhere in Asia. Source. 

Photo by Joshua Stitt from unsplash.com

 

Photo by Toa Heftiba on unsplash.com

7. If you like throwing your peanuts on the floor at Texas Roadhouse, you'll love going to Spain!

It's customary for people to throw their food down on the ground at restaurants. The dirtier the floor usually means the better the food! More people eating= more food on the floor. Source.

 

8. The lowest temperature ever recorded was -128.5 F in Antarctica.

Can you imagine the cold? Yikes! Source. 

Photo by Bethany Legg from unsplash.com

 

9. The average thickness of Antarctica's ice is one mile deep!

Whoa! That's 5,280 feet deep. Now that's thick ice! Source.

 

10. My all time favorite fun fact: why can't penguins fly?

I'll give you a second to guess.

Their bones are solid instead of hollow like other birds. They're too heavy to fly!

Source: I learned this interning at the Georgia Aquarium. 

Photo by Eamonn Maguire from unsplash,com

So, you can guess which countries my character travels to:) That's spoiled. But, it's the awesome #nuventures she has in each country that makes the story so special! To know when the books ready, you can sign up here and I'll keep you posted:)

Learn Other Fun Facts

that we discover on our #nuventures. 

Subscribe and we'll learn together!

4 Comments