Day 2 Morning View from side of Hwy 83 - 12 miles short with 5 miles of up hill to go.It is still a long way up - the head wind a little less today.

Once again I showed that if you’re tired enough  you can sleep soundly almost anywhere. The one exception was  the coyote about 100Yds away,  on the other side of the highway. He must have  moved on after  I fell back asleep.  The rest of the climbing did entail some pulling the ICE wagon up the steepest parts of the grade.  Then finally the downhill. The turn off to Santa Rita Abbey on Garden  Canyon  was easy to spot a couple of miles past the border patrol check  point.  Since I am heading south I needn’t stop.

It is still a long way up - the head wind a little less today.

I love these signs

Yes the Border Patrol are on duty

Finally made to the Santa Rita Abbey at 1:00 PM

The Garden Canyon is dirt with lots of washboard, slow going. Missed the turn off on Fish camp road  and had to come back after a ½ mile. The last stiff uphill to Abbey at a warm 1:00pm was all I could walk up. Sister Pam was out walking and spoke with me. What a delightful, welcoming person.  The church is beautiful in the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance (Trappistines) The area is south west hills and mountains, brown grass covered this time of year. Rested and was able to attend Vespers and compline Prayers with the sisters and Albert, another guest. The vesper prayers, followed by compline prayers  give one the feel of peace and rest as the sisters chant the psalms in their beautiful voices. I am so tired I may stay an extra day to rest physically and mentally in the presence of this wonderful place.

Santa Rita Chapel

The chapel is adorned in the Cistercians Tradition – simple, peaceful

Santa Rita Abbey Guest House

A beautiful meditation Chapel and small library as well which I was able to use.
This a wonderful place for rest, meditation, and prayer.

Santa Ritas Mountains

A view from the Abbey and less than an hour from Tucson by car or  2 days for fat old guys on bicycles.