Rise and Shine fairly early this morning as we are going into Tucson to satisfy our "Campers World" needs. It is only 40 miles from our RV site to Tucson, so this seems to be the be the solution, rather than spending a night there. This way we will be able to get our supplies and tomorrow just blast right on through Tucson, and on to Los Cruces. On the road by 9:00AM and at Campers before 10:00AM. Lots of interesting stuff to purchase there. Some stuff we needed, and a whole bunch we didn't need, but bought anyway. A new Woodhalls RV Park directory, a book of 2 lane vacation roads in America, a directory of free RV parking places, just to name a few. Also bought a set of new kitchen faucets for the sink, and some out door solar lights for around the Parking spot when we are parked for longer terms. Nothing that a few hundred Dollars didn't cover.Then Denice wanted to return to San Xavier Mission on highway 93 to see if the re-construction was finally competed. We have been there each of the last 4 years and the re-construction has always been "in progress". However this time is is almost complete, and it is quite impressive. Mission San Xavier del Bac is situated in the Santa Cruz Valley nine miles south of Tucson, Arizona. Framed in the warm browns of the surrounding hills and the violet shadows of more distant mountains, it rises, brilliantly white from the desert floor of dusty green mesquite and sage. The imposing dome and lofty towers, the rounded parapets and graceful sp
ires etched against the vivid blue complete a skyline with a graceful enchantment. San Xavier del Bac Mission HistoryFrom the earliest times, the Tohono O'odham settlement in which the Mission is located was called Bac, "place where the water appears," because the Santa Cruz River, which ran underground for some distance, reappears on the surface nearby.The celebrated Jesuit missionary and explorer, Father Eusebio Francisco Kino, first visited Bac in 1692. Eight years later in 1700, Father Kino laid the foundations of the first church, some two miles north of the present site of the Mission. He named it San Xavier in honor of his chosen patron, St. Francis Xavier, the illustrious Jesuit "Apostle of the Indies."In 1768, Fray Francisco Hermengildo Garces, a man of outstanding personality and prodigious accomplishments among all missionaries in Arizona, established his headquarters at San Xavier. From here this Franciscan Friar set forth on his many missionary explorations.Fr. Eusebio KinoThe present church was built from 1783 - 1797 by the Franciscan Fathers Juan Bautista Velderrain and Juan Bautista Llorenz. Little is know about the actual labor of the construction of the church, who was the architect, who were the artisans, but many believe it was the Tohono O'odham who fufilled these roles. Why the one tower was never completed is still a mystery, but hopefully one day this question will be answered.San Xavier Mission is acclaimed by many to be the finest example of mission architecture in the United States. It is a graceful blend of Moorish, Byzantine and late Mexican Renaissance architecture, yet the blending is so complete it is hard to tell where one type begins and another ends.The church is a series of domes and arches that create enclaves for themes of painting on the various walls, domes and rooms. The area behind the high altar is a dazzling gilt of colors. The wall paintings are all original, but over time have needed to be touched up. Time and the harsh desert weather have taken a toll on the the beauty that is within the church and the entire mission complex. Currently the church is going through an ongoing restoration that tries to clean, repair and preserve as much of the church as it can. Outside the church, the restoration is even more extensive, and for this we have the gracious donations of visitors, patrons and the Pat
ronato.After more than two hundred years, the Franciscan Friars are still here serving the needs of the faithful. San Xavier del Bac Mission is a fully functioning parish church within the Diocese of Tucson. It is a church that primarily serves the Tohono O'odham, but is open to all.
Once finished there we returned to Picacho Peak RV Park, Crammed away all our stuff in every unused Nook and Cranny that we could find. I swear if we continue this we need to ge a much larger RV or maybe pull a toyhauler behind. Then we went over to John and Brendas for some more Kraft Dinner. They were BAR-B-QUED outside and were at least 1 1/2" thick with Bar-b-que sauce on top, corn on the cob, cheesey potatoes. A meal fit for Royalty !!! Then topped of with Pecan Pie!! I know its a tough life -----------
ires etched against the vivid blue complete a skyline with a graceful enchantment. San Xavier del Bac Mission HistoryFrom the earliest times, the Tohono O'odham settlement in which the Mission is located was called Bac, "place where the water appears," because the Santa Cruz River, which ran underground for some distance, reappears on the surface nearby.The celebrated Jesuit missionary and explorer, Father Eusebio Francisco Kino, first visited Bac in 1692. Eight years later in 1700, Father Kino laid the foundations of the first church, some two miles north of the present site of the Mission. He named it San Xavier in honor of his chosen patron, St. Francis Xavier, the illustrious Jesuit "Apostle of the Indies."In 1768, Fray Francisco Hermengildo Garces, a man of outstanding personality and prodigious accomplishments among all missionaries in Arizona, established his headquarters at San Xavier. From here this Franciscan Friar set forth on his many missionary explorations.Fr. Eusebio KinoThe present church was built from 1783 - 1797 by the Franciscan Fathers Juan Bautista Velderrain and Juan Bautista Llorenz. Little is know about the actual labor of the construction of the church, who was the architect, who were the artisans, but many believe it was the Tohono O'odham who fufilled these roles. Why the one tower was never completed is still a mystery, but hopefully one day this question will be answered.San Xavier Mission is acclaimed by many to be the finest example of mission architecture in the United States. It is a graceful blend of Moorish, Byzantine and late Mexican Renaissance architecture, yet the blending is so complete it is hard to tell where one type begins and another ends.The church is a series of domes and arches that create enclaves for themes of painting on the various walls, domes and rooms. The area behind the high altar is a dazzling gilt of colors. The wall paintings are all original, but over time have needed to be touched up. Time and the harsh desert weather have taken a toll on the the beauty that is within the church and the entire mission complex. Currently the church is going through an ongoing restoration that tries to clean, repair and preserve as much of the church as it can. Outside the church, the restoration is even more extensive, and for this we have the gracious donations of visitors, patrons and the Pat
ronato.After more than two hundred years, the Franciscan Friars are still here serving the needs of the faithful. San Xavier del Bac Mission is a fully functioning parish church within the Diocese of Tucson. It is a church that primarily serves the Tohono O'odham, but is open to all.Once finished there we returned to Picacho Peak RV Park, Crammed away all our stuff in every unused Nook and Cranny that we could find. I swear if we continue this we need to ge a much larger RV or maybe pull a toyhauler behind. Then we went over to John and Brendas for some more Kraft Dinner. They were BAR-B-QUED outside and were at least 1 1/2" thick with Bar-b-que sauce on top, corn on the cob, cheesey potatoes. A meal fit for Royalty !!! Then topped of with Pecan Pie!! I know its a tough life -----------
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