We left Ajo this morning, turning east toward Tucson at the Y in Why on State Route 86 and crossing the Tohono O'odham Nation Indian Reservation. This is the second largest reservation in Arizona in both population and geographic size, with 28,000 members and 4,460 square miles. (The Navajo Nation Reservation is the largest.)
An hour outside of Tucson, we reached the turnoff to Kitt Peak National Observatory. Accessed via a steep and winding road, Kitt Peak is the highest point in the Quinlan Mountains, with an altitude of 6,883 feet. There are several pulloffs on the drive up, offering stellar views of the surrounding desert.
A portion of the Tohono O'odham Reservation
Kitt Peak National Observatory
View along our ascent
Kitt Peak National Observatory has the largest collection of optical and radio telescopes in the continental United States and is famous as the home of the first telescope used to search for near-earth asteroids. Finding, tracking, and analyzing asteroids and comets that might cause an impact hazard with the earth is the responsibility of NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office. (Shout-out to Tom's cousin Kelly, NASA's acting Planetary Defense Officer!)
On the lookout for asteroids
Mayall 4-meter telescope
We didn't have time to tour the observatory, but the exhibits in and around the visitor center were interesting in themselves. A large concrete “donut” outside the center was once used for testing the mounting equipment for one of the large telescope mirrors. The donut is 15 ½ feet across and weighs 15 tons. That's a big mirror.
Tom and Jana with a 4-meter concrete donut
Kitt Peak diorama
On the west side of Tucson, we stopped by Sentinel Peak, also known as “A” Mountain for the big letter “A” constructed in painted rock on the mountain's face. At 2,897 feet, the peak offers great views of the city of Tucson and – you guessed it – the surrounding desert. You can drive most of the way to the top, but reaching the apex requires a short but steep hike. It was more strenuous that it should have been in the blazing sun.
Tucson from Sentinel Peak
Proof of peak bagging
We spent this last night of our trip in Tucson at the home of Tom's cousin Marie and her husband, Diego. They're a blast! After a fun-filled dinner at Barrio Brewing Company, we hung out on Marie and Diego's back patio – very comfortable once the sun went down – and continued to quench our thirst.