This plant attacked me. Details below!
We are currently visiting Phoenix, Arizona parked at the Usery Mountain Regional Park. RVing isn’t always glamorous, so we RVers really cherish the times we find clean park facilities, great company, and beautiful scenery. Here’s a peak at my backyard this week!
And then I was attacked by a cactus…
Milli and I went for a brief quarter mile loop hike that runs behind our RV. Knowing it was a clear path and not far, I didn’t think to change my shoes. That was a mistake.
I stayed in my designated, cleared path; but for some reason, I was targeted by this bugger.
The Culprit
I swear it was outside my pathway and jumped to get me! Crazy, I know, but it came out of nowhere!
So I posted this excerpt on twitter, “I was attacked by a cactus today. All Milli had to say was ‘Oh goodness’.” What two year old says “goodness”? Hehe, anyways.
An Arizona friend, I think jokingly, asked if it was a jumping Cholla. So I immediately googled this plant and had goosebumps race up my skin when I saw the dastardly culprit from my walk.
The Wikipedia image caption states, “The cholla spine has microscopic barbs which make removal extremely painful.” Agreed. From the picture of my poor foot above, I’m sure you can see that they weren’t coming out easily.
Needless to say, I deserved it for wearing sandals. It hurt at the time, but I can laugh about it now. Am I accepted into the tribe now Phoenix-ers?’
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Yikes!! Those spikes are really sticking to your skin! I was warned about those things in my photography class before our field trip to the Desert Botanical Garden. Welcome to Phoenix!
I know! What’s weird too is that they have two layers. I’d pull the outside chute out, and then there was another inside. Yowsers!
I LOVE your photos Courtney. Okay, all except the “attack of the killer cactus” one. That looks very unpleasant!
The last photo is unbelievable!!!
Thanks Brad!!
Wait?!?! You DON’T just travel around from place to place like one big party bus?!
LOL, glad to see you guys enjoying yourself Courtney
Oh, and watch out for the foliage in AZ, its a little prickly 
Glad you got in! We’ll be back there after next week. Hope to explore the park more when we do. Also-watch for the Quinns, a family on the road who are camp hosts there. Great people!
Awesome pics, too bad about the attack of the cactus!
Bernice
Agreed – that last photo is awesome!
We’re heading to Phoenix later this month, so thanks for the RV campground recommendation. We’ll be sure to watch out for the deadly cacti, though.