Three days and two nights of delightful Mexican charm and history. 1687 - Present On March 13, 1687, Padre Eusebio Francisco Kino rode into Cucurpe - and history. The conversion to Christianity and colonization of the Pimería Alta (southern Arizona and northern Sonora) had begun. The public is invited to join in the Kino Mission Tours, sponsored by the educational, non-profit Southwestern Mission Research Center, Inc. Visit eight communities and their Spanish colonial churches in Sonora, Mexico with guides expert in the history and anthropology of the Pimería Alta. These outposts of Spain were founded by the region's pioneer explorer, Jesuit missionary Father Eusebio Francisco Kino, in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. They are part of the "Kino Chain of Missions" of which San Xavier del Bac and San José de Tumacácori are Arizona representatives. The trips take place on selected weekends each fall and spring. Tours leave Tucson by bus on Friday morning, going directly to Nogales, Sonora where we change to our Mexican bus and driver, Adán Morales. At Imuris those who wish to do so may buy - and eat - delicious regional foods such as   quesadillas  and   tamales  from local vendors. Lunch will be served at the ruins of Cocóspera. We will then retrace our route to Magdalena for a visit to the 1832 church and the remains of Father Kino. The day ends with a long drive to Caborca, our westernmost town, for a margarita party, dinner and lodging at the Motel El Camino. After breakfast our bus returns to the presidial town of Altar and turns northeast up the valley to visit Oquitoa and the Jesuit-period church, still in use. We make a brief stop at the ruins of the Jesuit mission in Atil and then continue north to Tubutama. A delightful lunch down by the river is followed by a tour of the unique church of San Pedro y San Pablo de Tubutama. We go back down the Altar River valley to Pitiquito and then again to Caborca, whose mission church was dedicated in 1809, and another margarita party and dinner at the motel. Following breakfast on Sunday, we will take a nature walk in the lush Sonoran desert. Then it's on to San Ignacio where we will have lunch in the back yard of the   sacristána,   Sra. Josefina Gallego and will spend time in the 18th century church. Finally, we must head north, changing buses again in Nogales and stopping for a brief look at San Xavier del Bac on our way back to Tucson. We should be in Tucson around 5:30 p.m. The price for the trip includes all transportation from Tucson to Caborca and return; two nights' lodging; beer, soft drinks, and water; two margarita parities; and all meals, two breakfasts, three lunches, and two dinners.