We visit lots of Churches 2/28/18

Wednesday dawned cloudy and beautiful after a blessed rain during the night.  Russ took me to a road where there was a side trail and I got a nice run in while he took the dog for a bike-trot.  We both agreed that the trail went downhill first which meant, of course, that the return was more difficult.  Oh well.  My girlfriend let me use the shower in her house -- my treat always for a run.

After breakfast we managed to herd all of us (except the dogs) into two cars and head off to the Tumacacori National Park down south of Tucson pretty close to the Mexican border.  This Catholic missionary church was built around 1800 by Fray Narciso Gutierrez, a Franciscan father who took over the chore after the original Jesuit order was kicked out of the area by King Charles III of Spain.  I asked my self, "What did those Jesuits do to get kicked out?"  Well, it appears that the King became paranoid thinking that they were trying to over throw him and take his power.  Hummmm.   Too much peyote maybe?

In any event, here are pictures of the place.  It has not been restored and in fact, it is crumbling before our very eyes.  Built mostly of adobe, which is just hardened sand, unless something is done this place will be returning to its original elements.  The rub is, do we restore the place and make it no longer original? or do we just let it go bye bye.  We will see.  BTW this mission is a National Monument and admission is normally $6 but with the Senior card, it is free.

The Crumbling Church


The Crumbling Altar


This fountain was built in 1938 at the visitor's center



Lunch later at a place called the The Wisdom Cafe in Tubac where I ran into these guys in the Ladies Room.



After a fine Mexican style lunch we set off for our next stop which was the Mission at San Xavier del Bac -- much closer to Tucson.  Now here was a place that has not been allowed to sift itself to the ground.  Since Russ and I were here about 4 years ago, much has been done to restore and revive this mission church.  I lit a candle here for my Aunt Nancy Hogan who just passed away within the past 10 days and got a few pictures.  We couldn't stay long as both the doggies had to be allowed outside back at camp/home before there were any accident.

San Javier 
del Bac


The Altar


Dome looking up


The little shrine where my Aunt Nancy's Candle is lit -- she is up front, on the left side, 3rd from the right.  She always wanted to be noticed.  RIP Aunt Nancy Hogan

Upon return, we picked up a couple of steaks and grilled dinner just after the sun went down.  Perfect night for our last with our friends Jan and Craig.  Thanks to both of you and your family for showing us such hospitality.  Time flies when you are having fun with old (not really old) friends. 




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