SAN ANTONIO TEXAS

San Antonio was well worth the side trip. We enjoyed the day, beginning with The Alamo, originally named Mission San Antonio de Valero (a home for missionaries and their Indian converts) with construction beginning in 1724. In the early 1800's the Spanish military stationed a cavalry unit at the former mission. The soldiers called it Alamo which is a Spanish word for cottonwood in honor of their hometown. The first recorded hospital in Texas was in the Long Barrack. It was home to the Revolutionaries and Royalists, the Spanish, Rebels, and then Mexicans until the Texas Revolution. It played a critical role in the Texas Revolution (a thirteen day siege in 1836).

This monument, telling the history and naming the key players of the area, was across the square from The Alamo.

After this leisurely tour, we walked across the square and down a flight of steps to the River Walk (20 feet below street level) brought to life by Robert H.H.Hugman in 1939.

We walked for a few blocks along the Walkway and then had to surface again to go down on the other side of a street to get their barge for a ride.

When we surfaced, we saw the sphere built for the Hemis Fair (the southwest's Fair of the Americas in 1968. This tower boasts being 750 feet compared to the Seattle's Space Needle at 608 feet and also has a revolving restaurant.

Returning to the man made portion of the river for the barge, we took the ride for only 7 miles round trip. The Walk with a combined man made portion and the natural river is 14 miles long. Interesting and fun!! Enjoy the sites along our ride!!

The walkers and shoppers are everywhere. The street stores also have a lower level in addition to the many other stores and restaurants.

In addition to the many ducks and goslings, this curious fellow kept watch.

This is an outdoor theatre with concrete steps on the opposite side of the canal, being the bleachers.

Note the gargoyles on the top.

A free standing wall?? No, an illusion as the building does not have a square corner!! An olive tree full of olives!!

Part of a mural depicting much of San Antonio history.

From the street above, after our tour, we watched a barge full of children on a school trip. They were having a lot of fun and waved as they crossed under our bridge.

This was a monument built by Mexico as a tribute to the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Next we will be in Louisiana and then the Mississippi coast areas. Stay tuned.