Tucson's Mission San Xavier del Bac -

Mission San Xavier del Bac - historic Spanish Catholic Mission, l0 miles south of downtown Tucson, Arizona, on the Tohono O'odham Nation San Xavier Indian Reservation.

The mission that survives today was built between 1783 and 1797, which makes it the oldest European structure in Arizona. Labor was provided by the O'odham. An outstanding example of Spanish Colonial architecture in the United States, the Mission San Xavier del Bac hosts some 200,000 visitors each year.

If interested, read more here about this beautiful mission.

The photo above I took on my previous visit in 2018. 

When we visited today, we found the amazing facade of the mission

 covered with scaffolding as major renovations are underway!

All photos below were taken today and the weather was perfect, blue sky, 

bright sunshine, light breeze and 73F.

Entrance was permitted with masks and social distancing, but only

 five quick minutes allowed inside the church.

We're spending a few days here in Tucson before heading home. 

It has been a very pleasant trip so far. . . . . . . and great to actually

 be traveling again!

 

Spanish beauty in Tucson. . . . . . . .

Mission San Xavier del Bac

I just wanted to share with you the beautiful interior of this lovely 
church in Tucson, considered by many to be the finest example of Spanish
 mission architecture in the United States.
To learn more of its interesting history go HERE

Thanks for the get well wishes. . . . . . beginning to feel somewhat better at long last.

Thankfully November is over!

 We came down with a really mean spirited upper respiratory infection in Arizona.
Perhaps picked up on the flights west, planes are full of germs!

 First me, and within a couple of days I had shared it with Bob.  We were sick

 and miserable. Sightseeing became a chore rather than enjoyment. 

 Falling into hotel beds at night was somewhat comfortable. . . . . however when

 one is sick it's much better when it's your very own bed in your home - you know

 what I mean.

 For eleven days I have sneezed, coughed, blown, wiped and ached into oblivion.

 For Bob it's been eight similar days and then yesterday, after sneezing and

 perhaps rubbing his eye, he suddenly looked strange with a dark blood filled eye

 socket caused by a hemorrhaged blood vessel!  No treatment, time will
 heal - meanwhile he does look odd, like a leftover from a Halloween party! 
Sorry Bob.

   It's not the 'flu, we had our shots in early October - unless of course it's a
 strain not covered by this year's vaccine. Who knows. . . . . . .

Mission San Xavier del Bac

'White Dove of the Desert'

Tucson, Arizona

A comforting spot in the southwest desert.

I have had a second unexpected sad November death in my UK family,

 along with news of serious health issues for other loved ones.

Today, the arrival of December is embraced and I hope things get better.

I've been away from here a week - unusual for me - but what with travel, death,

illness, family issues, and lack of computer access (we will have our new ones

next week), my blog has been pushed to one side for a while.