The San Antonio Experience
Well, our phones just gave us our first emergency tornado warning. It was the loudest sound I have ever heard coming from my phone.
Fortunately, we had dinner in our hotel tonight and planned to stay close due to the forecast. The local weather forecasting is amazing. They have interrupted stations with continuous coverage and updates. The radar, live shots and detailed reporting is extremely thorough. Power is out already in portions of this county, but our computers and phones are charged and ready.
Despite this, we are really enjoying San Antonio.
The River Walk experience is near perfect – almost Disneyesque.
It’s fun and tranquil all at the same time. In our first 30 seconds, we encountered a wedding in a beautiful setting right outside our hotel. Its Memorial Day weekend so it’s a lively, friendly crowd. But unlike New Orleans, it’s not a rowdy crowd. There are lots of families and young couples, and we’ve seen dozens of young Air Force cadets (with their parents), newly “graduated” from the nearby Lackland Air Force Base.
If you look among all the touristy Mexican restaurants, there is some serious fine dining in this area as well as around town.
We are staying right on the River Walk, so it’s very convenient.
Just a short walk, and a few steps up, and you are in a vibrant downtown. I’m sure the kids are thrilled to see the horse-drawn buggies all lit-up like Cinderella’s carriage.
The Alamo, originally the Mission San Antonio de Valero, was constructed on this site beginning in 1724. The famous 13-day battle that took the lives of James Bowie and David Crockett took place in 1836.
We’ve taken in the Alamo (within walking distance), and also driven to see the other four missions the Spanish established in this area. The five missions together comprise the largest concentration of colonial missions in North America. Run by Franciscan Priests, they are all close to the river, with the farthest about 12 miles from downtown.
San Antonio also has a large Historic District, the King William, just south of downtown. The area has beautifully restored homes, some palatial and others small, fanciful cottages. It is a charming area, definitely worth seeing.
We are impressed with San Antonio, it seems to be a very livable city with friendly, likeable residents.
And, the weather crisis seems to have passed . . . at least until tomorrow.
Mission San Juan Capistrano.
Mission Espada.
Mission San Jose.
Mission Concepcion.
Daily Trivia Questions (answers next post):
What state was David Crockett from?
How long is the River Walk?
Last post’s trivia answers:
What two countries were not occupied by the Germans during WWII? Switzerland and Spain
On what date did Germany unconditionally surrender in WWII? May 7, 1945
John and I went to San Antonio once, and it was when the Pope came to town. There was a parade and longhorn cattle were in the parade. You could also get frozen margaritas for breakfast at a fast food Mexican place.