Karen Gales Youngson: Sightseeing around Tucson

My blank blog page has been staring at me for 3 days now but I just haven't been able to get started. We have been farely busy doing "stuff". Life in a Casino parking lot can be full of drama. It is an ever changing landscape of RVs, and their owners, that all have different concepts of what being a good neighbour is all about. The three most common offences are noisy generators, noisy dogs (and owners that don't clean up after them) and infringement of personal space.

We have come close to leaving twice for a combination of all three of the above but luckily most people don't run generators past dinner time and everyone moves on sooner of later. One couple from Minnesota thought it was OK to park just off the front of our RV while we were out. One look told us they didn't have solar panels. As is so often the case the bigger the rig the cheaper the generator and they always set it up at the back of their own rig so they aren't disturbed by the racket. About 15 feet from our bedroom end. After a somewhat heated discussion he agreed to shut it off but then it will have to come on again at 9:00am for the coffee pot!!

When I put this in writing it almost sounds funny but it really can spoil your stay. By early afternoon you can watch the new arrivals pulling in hoping they park on top of somebody else.

Thursday morning we went to A National Historic Landmark, Mission San Xavier del Bac. It was founded in 1692 by Fr. Kino, a Jesuit pioneer and explorer. Today's Franciscan church was built between 1783 and 1797. It is widely considered to be America's finest surviving example of Spanish Colonial architecture. It is still a working church and school for kindergarten to grade 8.

When we were there 5 years ago it was under renovations with scaffolding covering much of one side. Today all but the right tower has been fully restored and it stands in brilliant white with the dark blue desert sky as a backdrop. Everyone asks if the missing dome on the east tower will be replaced when renovations are completed. Apparently there never was a dome on the east tower. It is thought it remained incomplete because the taxation system of the time could not be implemented until the structure was completed. So, no dome, no taxes paid....too bad we couldn't do that with our property taxes of today.

The Tohono O'Odham natives operate a gift shop on the grounds and also make Indian fry bread for hungry "pilgrims" like us. Yummm....hot with honey and sprinkled with icing sugar. Yes Marilyn, my friend up in cold South Dakota, we did have fry bread:) As usual I am drawn to the jewelry. The first person we came across was himself, an engaging jewel of the desert. Joe Begay, Navajo, a quick witted, somewhat comedic silversmith, actor and singer. He showed us his album of film credits going back over 50 years. He had to go to acting school to learn how to "play" an Indian, even a Mexican....he was in many old westerns that I know I've seen over the years.

I bought copper earrings depicting 'the Man in the Maze' which represents the many turns and changes of a person's life, progressing deeper and deeper into the pattern, acquiring knowledge, strength and understanding until it reaches the dark Center where it reflects back on all the wisdom it has gained and in harmony with the world accepts death.