Tubac

On Saturday, Dec 8, we headed south to Tubac to see the lighting of the luminaries.  Tubac is a small town just north of the Mexican border and is home to many shops and galleries selling the wares of local artists.  2 days each year, Dec 7 & 8th this year, they have the "lighting of the luminaries".  We were here 4 years ago and were quite taken with the town, the shops and the luminaries.  This year, as we have found out with a few other repeat stops, it didn't seem quite as amazing the second time round.  Still a neat little town and worth a visit if your in the area.  

Before we stopped in Tubac we visited the National Historical Park called Tumacacori.  It was the home of a Spanish mission built in 1691.  It is similar to the Missions that we saw in San Antonio although smaller and not as well preserved.  This one was originally built by Jesuit priests however in 1751 King Charles III banished the Jesuits from all the realms of Spain after which time the Franciscans took over.  In 1800 the construction of a larger church was started to replace the original buildings however it was never finished and the mission was abandoned in 1848 and fell into disrepair.  

Less you think its all sun and blue skies we do have
the occasional adverse weather days.
No snow though.

The brick bell tower on the right was never finished.  

The Sanctuary.  The sandstone bricks don't hold up so well to the weather. 

Some of the walls still have outlines of the original paint.

Tubac.
Lots of colour 

Lawn and patio ornaments a plenty. 

A very pretty setting for a very pretty town. 

Wind chimes anyone. 

The bags with candles inside are everywhere.
Must have been thousands of them in front of the stores and lining the sidewalks
They started lighting them at dusk.
Created quite the effect.

It took about an hour to get back to the RV Park including a stop at the Border Patrol checkpoint.  They had a number of officers stationed beside the road, all armed.  Kind of like driving through a gauntlet.  They also had a drug sniffing dog running up and down the road and in-between cars.  Their handler was dragged along holding on to the leash.  

Then something interesting happened.  One of the dogs took a special interest in one of the cars in the next lane.  It didn't just sniff a couple of times and move to the next car.  It kept on going back to the car, one side then the other, again and again.  The officers pulled the car over to a holding area and last we saw the occupants were getting out.  Would have loved to have stayed to see what the outcome was however I don't think that would have been looked at too favourably.  

Next up a trip up Mount Lemon.