Wild, wild west!

The actors were drumming up business for the show.

San Xavier del Bac Mission is a National Landmark located 9 miles south of downtown Tucson.  In 1797 the church was completed by Franciscan missionaries while the area was part of New Spain. It is the oldest Europen structure in Arizona and is viewed by some 200,000 visitors each year.  The Spanish Franciscans left in 1821 when it became part of the U S. but the Franciscans returned in 1913.  It has survived an earthquake and lightning strike, with it's facade restored in 1953.  They are currently looking at more restoration.

 I have no idea what this was at the mission.

 Grotto Hill with a quarter mile path around it was not open to visitors. 

The entryway was filled with candles. A $1 charge for lighting a candle and offering a prayer.

Beautiful murals!

The mission was named for Francis Xavier. People were filling containers at the Holy Water station.

Next to the main church is a courtyard with  a building and a side altar. 

Lots of candles here too.

The school was started in 1872.

Lunch found us still here.   A family business that has been run for 52 years.

I'm not one who craves bread, normally, but Indian Fry Bread is something I can't resist.   This was a HUGE Indian Taco on freshly made Fry Bread.  It was incredibly good!  Pat finished his but I couldn't.

A Franciscan Friar

Sunday Pat got a yearning to check out Tombstone, so off we went.  It was an hour and half away.  The main drag, Allen Street, is dirt to add to the western feel.  For the most part the whole town is geared toward tourists.

A museum at the O.K. Corral.

Hearse

Original 1881 building.  It was a combination saloon, gambling hall, house of ill-repute and theater. There were many fights
 leading to 140 bullet holes inside.  They say it is haunted.

Tombstone began with mining.  Today they offer tours.

There are 250 graves here at the old Cemetery. $3 to tour it.

Flowers, ornaments, and coins are left at many of the graves.

On the way home we saw a couple of nut stands.

We both agreed we don't like pecan pie.  Maybe caramel pecan rolls?

Where are the Piepers now?  Tucson, AZ