Last year Clara and I explored some of the interesting attractions in Waco on our weekend road trip. We had such fun that we both agreed we wanted to make it an "annual" event. This year we went to San Antonio.
A little before noon, on Friday, we headed west on I-10, stopping along the way for lunch. We checked into our San Antonio hotel around 2:00 p.m., and took off, on foot, to the River Center Mall, just a few blocks away. The mall is the the gateway to the beautiful river walk and the river boat tours. We spent a fantastic afternoon and early evening taking it all in, including a boat tour, which was really enjoyable.
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| Clara stands none of the bridges that span the river. |
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| The River Center Mall looks out onto the river and river walk. |
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| A Mexican feast, on the river walk. |
We slept well that night, and were up and eager to get going the next morning. Some of our plans were de-railed, but most of them worked out well. We had intended to watch the IMAX movie about the Battle of the Alamo, before visiting the Alamo, itself. But the timing just didn't work out, so we skipped the movie and went directly to the Alamo. Clara had already learned about the Alamo, in school, so the movie would have been a review, anyway.
We happened to visit the Alamo on a special day: The Alamo Militia Muster is a free interactive living history event, with lots of demonstrations, including the (incredibly loud) firing of muskets.
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| Clara learning how to make a corn husk doll. |
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| Hers turned out great. |
We spent quite a bit of time outside, enjoying the demonstrations and taking in the beautiful Alamo grounds.
When we were finally ready to go inside, we found ourselves at the tail end of a long line of people, waiting to enter. The line moved rather quickly, though, and walking through the historic mission was definitely worth the wait. No pictures allowed inside, though, so you'll have to take my word for it, or better yet, visit it yourself. There is no cost for visiting the Alamo.
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| It was a long line, but the weather was pleasant, and the line moved nicely. |
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| Clara's and my toes on "the line" drawn on the ground by Colonel Travis (see plaque below). |
Later that afternoon we found a museum that Clara really wanted to visit, because we had heard that Santa Ana's sword was inside, and Clara, quite "up" on her Texas history, could hardly wait to see it. But it turned out to be what we both considered an over-priced and disappointing museum. And . . . we never found Santa Ana's sword. You win some and you lose some, I guess.
The day was getting late, and it was time to get back in the car and move on to our next stop, the welcoming home and ranch of my long-time friend, Terri, and her husband, Gene, in Kingsbury. We feasted on a dinner of barbecued brisket, ribs and sausage, with all the trimmings. Terri took us with her as she fed their beautiful little pony, Shadow; and miniature donkey, Daisy. She also drove us around to see the pond, the cattle, and one of the two horses that are stabled on their property. We also joined her as she fed the chickens.
Sunday we went to church in New Braunfels, with Terri and Gene, back home for some brisket sandwiches, and then drove to Clara's house in Houston, our tummies full of brisket, our heads full of wonderful experiences, and our hearts full of love.
Where to next year?
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