[BTinSF]

The Santa Cruz River Valley runs due north and south between Tucson and Nogales Arizona. It contains two significant missions and several other early colonial settlements. These are some snapshots I took of the two missions.

San Xavier del Bac (constructed 1783-1797 and sometimes considered the best existing example of Spanish colonial architecture in the US)

Exterior--One tower is scaffolded because a past effort at preserving the adobe structure used concrete stucco which actually damages the adobe by retaining moisture. It is being removed and a stucco of lime and cactus juice similar to what the builders would have used is being applied.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7dd03b3127cce822360b6cb1300000016100Acsmblw0ZsmLA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7dd03b3127cce822360b54a2000000016100Acsmblw0ZsmLA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7dd03b3127cce822378254abc00000015100Acsmblw0ZsmLA

A courtyard

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7dd03b3127cce8223782ccb8500000016100Acsmblw0ZsmLA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7dd03b3127cce8223782acb8300000016100Acsmblw0ZsmLA

A side chapel and courtyard

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7dd03b3127cce8223783acb9300000016100Acsmblw0ZsmLA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7dd03b3127cce822378234aba00000016100Acsmblw0ZsmLA

Interior

The main altar

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7dd03b3127cce822360bccb1900000015100Acsmblw0ZsmLA

A side altar

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7dd03b3127cce822360a34a3600000015100Acsmblw0ZsmLA

The rear of the nave

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7dd03b3127cce822360bacb1f00000015100Acsmblw0ZsmLA

The dome

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7dd03b3127cce82236088cb2d00000015100Acsmblw0ZsmLA

Detail of a typical cieling in a southwest adobe

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7dd03b3127cce822378214ab800000016100Acsmblw0ZsmLA

"Grotto Hill" outside the church

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7dd03b3127cce822360b0cb1500000016100Acsmblw0ZsmLA

San Jose de Tumacacori (constructed 1691 and after)

Exterior

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7dd03b3127cce8223782b4ab200000016100Acsmblw0ZsmLA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7dd03b3127cce82237c26cb8d00000016100Acsmblw0ZsmLA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7dd03b3127cce82237c38cb9300000016100Acsmblw0ZsmLA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7dd03b3127cce82237c214aba00000016100Acsmblw0ZsmLA

The round central building in this shot is a food storage building

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7dd03b3127cce82237c2ecb8500000016100Acsmblw0ZsmLA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7dd03b3127cce82237c16cbbd00000016100Acsmblw0ZsmLA

Inside the food storage building

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7dd03b3127cce82237c12cbb900000016100Acsmblw0ZsmLA

Interior of the church

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7dd03b3127cce822378294ab000000016100Acsmblw0ZsmLA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7dd03b3127cce822373dc0ad800000025110Acsmblw0ZsmLA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7dd03b3127cce822373da0ade00000025110Acsmblw0ZsmLA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7dd03b3127cce822373db8bef00000016100Acsmblw0ZsmLA

[HomeInMyShoes]

Great spaces. Lime and cactus juice. Neat.

[peacefu603]

Cool

[Nicodemo]

It's an oasis to your soul...