Welcome to San Antonio, TX!

We stayed at Travelers World RV Resort (https://www.sunrvresorts.com/resorts/southwest/texas/travelers-world/) which is located just 3 miles south of the Alamo and the commercial River Walk area.  One of our favorite features of San Antonio is that the River Walk boasts over 15 linear miles of continuous trail along the river through the center of the city from Breckenridge Park to Mission Espada.  All of this is concrete trail, beautiful landscape, multiple parks at street entrances, and lovely bridges spanning the river...very well done, I must say!  Travelers World sits directly on the Roosevelt Avenue entrance, so Scott & I walked the trails every morning.    

Our site....#90 pull through...The resort has paved roads, large gravel stone lots, cement picnic pads with tables, and nice grass in between.

Pull-through....Nice large lot, so we could pull the Toad all the way in with us and park behind without ever unhooking.

Roosevelt Avenue....Our entrance to the River Walk from our resort

First stop....gotta see a blast from the past...Tom Romanello!  Tom was one of Joan's first roommates when she lived in Charlotte, NC.  We were treated to the company of his wife, Miho, who is just perfect!  A solo immigrant to this country at age 17 from Japan, she was so excited because she was becoming a citizen in the following weeks (13 Dec).  We are so proud of all the effort she has put into learning English on her own, excelling in the corporate world, and studying day-in and day-out to become a citizen.  Great job, Miho!  

And, Tom has done very well for himself too....  Love ya, Tom!

Dinner at La Gloria....Great food, yummy drinks, and wonderful company! Día de los Muertos ....Quick shaky selfie outside La Gloria with the Dead Guy on the bench....

After a beautiful evening with the Romanello's, we ventured to downtown San Antonio!

We took the bus....Just out front of Travelers World, there is a bus stop....very convenient...only $2.75 each for all day riding. Just remember to have exact change!

Our sights were set on heading straight to the Alamo (Joan had never been there before), so we marched on...

wait...I have to get this picture...

Not just North Carolina!!!!! Fire escapes are so cool....

Scott, stand there for a picture....

Nice way to see the city...by trolley....

Wait......I thought Halloween was over.....?
 

Finally, its in sight....

The story of the Alamo begins with the establishment of the Mission San Francisco de Solano near the Rio Grande River in 1700. There, Spanish missionary Father Antonio de San Buenaventura y Olivares worked to convert many of the Coahuiltecan bands to Catholicism. After Olivares traveled to Texas with an expedition in 1709, he was struck by the San Antonio area and later recommended it to the Spanish viceroy, Marques de Valero, as a site for a mission waypoint on the road to Spanish settlements in East Texas. The mission that we know today as the Alamo was born as Mission San Antonio de Valero in 1718.  (http://www.thealamo.org)

We did the self-guided audio tour...

DECLINE OF SPANISH RULE: 1794-1821

In response to increased French and American threats from nearby Louisiana, Spain mobilized its military into the Texas frontier after the turn of the century. Though it started as a mission, San Antonio de Valero was now secularized, and the Spanish military occupied the old mission compound and converted it into a frontier outpost and military garrison.

MEXICAN TEXAS: 1822-1835

When Mexico declared its independence from Spain in 1821, the Alamo remained a military outpost. The soldiers of the Alamo Company, named for their hometown Alamo de Parras south of the Rio Grande, shifted their allegiance to the newly formed independent nation of Mexico.

Transformation over the years....From the facade of the chapel, you can see how it has morphed throughout the hundreds of years to serve multiple purposes...a place of worship & education to spread Christianity, a Quartermaster depot, and a mercantile.

TEXAS REVOLUTION: 1835-1836

San Antonio de Béxar was now key military point, a crossroads and center of commerce in colonial Texas. With the outbreak of revolt in Coahuila y Tejas, San Antonio resumed its old role as Texas' capital. The Alamo, now a fortress under the command of 26-year-old William Barret Travis, came under siege by dictator Santa Anna. He ordered the pre-dawn attack on March 6, 1836 in which 186 Texians, Tejanos, Americans and Europeans sacrificed themselves to stop a tyrant.

UNDER THE REPUBLIC: 1837-1845

Texas won its independence from Mexico at the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836. But the fighting did not end there. Mexico refused to give up its claim to Texas as well as the additional territory claimed by the new Republic, and launched military attacks on Texas several times in the ensuing years. The Alamo remained a vital military garrison protecting San Antonio and supplying border forts from Mexican incursion and Indian attacks.

THE ARMY MOVES IN: 1846-1877

Texas joined the United States on December 29, 1845. San Antonio de Béxar and the Alamo greatly benefitted from annexation and statehood. Centrally located and vital to Texas, San Antonio was already seen as an important civic and military asset. The Alamo became a U.S. Army outpost and depot. It was during this period that the Army added the Alamo's famous bell-shaped top.

WAREHOUSE TO SHRINE: 1878 -1905

The U.S. Army departed the Alamo and established Fort Sam Houston to replace it in 1876. The remaining grounds of the Alamo compound were divided and sold for various uses. The Catholic Church claimed ownership of the remaining mission buildings, while the city maintained ownership of the roads that passed through the mission grounds in front of the old church. The Galera, or Low Barrack, served as the “gate” to the Alamo until the Church sold it to the city in 1871 so it could be demolished to make way for a grand new public plaza. The mission compound lost its southern border and a vital part of its identity. The Alamo was even used as a commercial warehouse until the State of Texas purchased it in the 1880s.

THE MODERN ERA: 1906 TO PRESENT

The Alamo today stands at the heart of San Antonio and the heart of what it means to be a Texan. It is managed by the Texas General Land Office on behalf of the people of Texas. People visit from all over the world to see and learn about the mission and fort's vital role in defending freedom. Battlefield tours, living history, a one-of-a-kind movie, summer camps, unique exhibits and more are available year-round on the Alamo grounds.

A monument to the fallen....Colonels James Bowie (Co-commander of the garrison; Kentucky), David Crockett (Tennessee) and LTC William B. Travis (Co-commander of the garrison; South Carolina). to name a few....

The Emily Morgan San Antonio (Hotel)Adjacent to The Alamo

The Alamo visit complete, it was time to walk the town and The River Walk....

See, aren't fire escapes cool works of art? Another way to see the town...Rent and ride with your phone app

What a stunning day...
 

GlühweinSo, it was nearing lunch time and we wondered upon one of our favorites that we experienced in Germany...we had to have some!

Did I mention it was nearing lunch time!

Christmas preparations on the Riverwalk The Aztec Hidden History Gems as you walk along the River walk SeeAnother history hidden gem... Beautiful landscape throughout the River Walk Beautiful Mosaic Tile Just a cool building that was engulfed by newer buildings. Mariachi serenade

La Antorcha de la Amistad (Spanish for "The Torch of Friendship") is a monumental abstract sculpture by Mexican sculptor Sebastián, installed in Downtown San Antonio, in the U.S. state of Texas. The work was commissioned by a group of Mexican businessmen living in the United States and friends of Mexico, and presented as a gift from the Mexican government to the City of San Antonio in 2002. River WalkAlway's look up :) A little break while Joan shoots some ducks.

Ha, didn't I say that fire escapes are cool.....Check this one out. This one's coolGreat place for Senior pictures

Bear County Courthouse of San Antonio -Completed in 1897Many of the older courthouses, such as in San Antonio, retain the flavor of the last century in their majestic, temple-like architecture popular at the turn of the century. During their peak of construction, county courthouses were looked on by citizens as symbols of liberty and independence, purveyors of justice in the land of the free. Courthouses were also viewed as staunch hometown symbols of the people's faith in their ability to govern themselves, and sometimes, too, of the determination of one county to outshine the adjacent area. In this context, a building representing a sacred object such as justice, required monumental dignity, and just as jewels need a fine setting to display their beauty, courthouse sites were selected with utmost care. San Fernando Cathedralestablished in 1731 by Canary Islanders, San Antonio’s first civilian colonists. San Fernando Cathedralhouses the remains of Alamo defenders James Bowie, David Crockett, and William Travis

Love itEvery town has a clock Aztec theater opened June 4, 1926

August F. Staacke (1825–1909) was an immigrant from Hanover, Germany, who developed a successful mercantile business in San Antonio. He carried Studebaker wagons, and imported commercial prairie schooner wagons that were built to withstand the rugged terrain of westward expansion.^[3] The carriage trade portion of his business was sold to his sons August, Rudolph and Herman, officially being known as the Staacke Brothers in 1889.

St. Joseph's Church - Home of the San Antonio Liederkranz (German singing society)The Gothic style building was without a steeple until 1898 when the now existing spire was erected to crown and complete the structure as it is today Geez, this guy was creeping on us - he'd just pop up Whose Thirsty?

Prost !
 

Joan will talk with anyone! Scott wanted a ride!

Happy 2018 Thanksgiving everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving 2018Our first Thanksgiving away from home.

  Our River Walk after our Thanksgiving meal ~

River WalkThat's right, it's not only downtown - the River Walk expands 15 miles Hawks on the River Walk Cormorant Bird of the River walk The Bird of Scott on the River Walk - lol An amazing job they have done on this River Walk - whether you walk, bike or canoe - it's fabulous...

So, our San Antonio visit complete, it was time to move on towards New Mexico!

Art Work...Just a mile from the Resort are some amazing works. These are found as you exit Roosevelt Avenue heading to I-10. Gotta Love Texas......I-10 in the middle of nowhere...of course, we kept the coach at 70 to save on diesel a bit :)

BUT, wow is it a long drive....so, we stopped half way at a lonely, tumbleweed laden place...

One Night Layover Gotta admit....The western Texas skies are amazing!

While shooting these marvelous colors we met the Block's ~

The Block'sWe met Brian & Barbara at Fort Stockton RV park while trying to capture the sunset. Turns out that the Block's lived in Bethlehem, Pa and purchased their motor coach in Souderton, Pa - what a small world. A wonderful couple who have encouraged us to be avid bloggers, enjoy the RV lifestyle, and embrace all life has to offer! Can't wait till our paths cross again....

Stand by....there is more to this story...New Mexico, here we come!