The morning started with my alarm at 7:15AM. I had woken up a few times and did not sleep well, but, as usual, I fell into a deep sleep just before the alarm went off. I am staying in Zorida’s guest room, and we had breakfast cooked by Zorida, eggs, toast, and fruit. I then found my way to the bathroom, showered, shaved, and dressed for the day. A sweater and my hat as it is just in the fifties in the morning. The forecast changed again, and rain would come in the early afternoon.
Zorida drove, and we used Nav to find our way. Nav got stuck and sent us around in circles, getting on and off of Highway 35! I had the map from Thirty Car Rental and helped direct. Also, we updated the target to the River Walk, and the Nav started working and sent us into San Antonio. Zorida resides north of the city outside the 1604 loop road (a ring road in Europe), which we used to connect to a southbound main road, 35 to 37 to Alamo (we followed the signs).
We parked in the first parking we saw, only a ten-minute walk from the Alamo, but $35 for parking for four hours. Insane. We walked in the wrong direction (construction was hiding the Alamo, which should have been visible from the parking lot), but a friendly couple from Louisiana pointed out the correct path. They love San Antonio; this is their third trip there in a year. It is Veterans Day in the USA, and the Alamo Church visit was free today. While the guides suggest otherwise, the building is a reconstruction from the 1930s with more improvements over the years. I am happy to have visited to experience the Alamo–there is an emotion of a sacred space–but there is little to see besides cemented stone walls in the central part. I enjoyed the reconstruction of the art on the walls and the story of one room on the side–they had reconstructed the frescos from the old mission. The room is recorded to be the place where the non-combatants stayed during the battle.
After the visit, we found a comfortable bench, and I made a few purchases at the store. I found a drawing of the 1838 buildings and battle. I was looking for an archeologist report, but they did not carry that. We called Barb and Leta (Susie’s sister and mother, respectively) outside the Alamo. Leta was uncomfortable, and some medical items needed attention, but she and Barb were happy to get a Veterans Day call from the Alamo.
Next, we headed to the River Walk and walked the bright-colored and restaurant-filled path along the river. There are no railings, so a misstep and a fall on the uneven paving stones could cause you to splash into the 3 feet of water. After a walk, we found the boat ride and took the river tour. The river tour was longer than I expected and focused on the history of River Walk and the architecture of San Antonio. Apparently, buildings are not demolished but recycled and moved in one bizarre turn. Recommended.
We discovered that we had quite a walk back. We had to pass through downtown, and the Veterans Day parade was ongoing when we returned to the car. We stopped to watch it a few times. We reached the Alamo again and then stopped at the tourist trap Crockett Tavern, whose motto is “Where Legends Meet,” which required resisting eye rolls. The bar contained a vast painting of the 1838 Battle, western hats nailed to the ceiling (!?), chandeliers with Western boots standing on top of them (!?), a bolt action rifle in a box that was too modern for 1838, and a friendly staff. I had their beer, their holiday product; it was like Christmas incense drowned in beer (ugh). I ordered fried chicken steak with mashed potatoes and fire-wilted fresh green beans. Excellent. Zorida had awesome BBQ chicken wings (a massive pile).
Ready for a nap, we boarded Zorida’s car and used Nav to find Alamo Music Center. Mariah watches their YouTube channel here. I picked her up a T-shirt and some free items. It was a nice store, and folks were friendly–their instruments are meant to be played. Excellent and friendly store. Recommended.
Zorida then took us back to her house. The Texas drivers do not easily yield a lane and often take one they should have yielded. Twice, we had close calls trying to merge. We arrived intact. The rains came as predicted–just a sprinkle as we returned to Zorida’s house.
I sat on the couch and napped. Zorida was in the bedroom, being quiet. We decided to pass on a dinner out–Zorida reheated some lasagna and made a fresh salad from tomato, cucumber, and avocado. We were both still stuffed from lunch and ate sparing of this bounty. I wrote the blog and took it easy.
Zorida said we could not have had a better day if we had planned to do the Alamo, River Walk, River Tour, lunch, and Alamo Music Center. It all worked, and we got a bonus parade!
I wrote the blog after dinner. All day, we talked about Susie and Zorida’s late husband. Our eyes did tear up a few times, but it was good. So far, it has been an excellent trip.
Thanks for reading.
Alohawild (Michael Wild's) Website 