The morning started with me being surprised that it was 6AM already, rolling back over, and waiting until 7:45AM to rise. I put on my slippers and robe, sat at the table with my laptop, and started the blog. It was a busy day on Saturday, and it would take a while to write about it. Zorida rose, all dressed and ready. She made breakfast while I continued to tap away. I stopped to eat the fine breakfast and then went on tapping away until almost 11AM.
The pictures are sort of in order. I just put in the ones I liked.
Zorida passed on the Botanical Garden as the storm in Portland had decided I needed more exposure, and it was cold and raining in San Antonio, a cold Oregon mist! I showered and dressed and headed out a bit late in the morning. I used my iPhone to once again travel back to the area near the University of the Incarnate Word to find the San Antonio Garden. There were few cars in the parking lot, mostly staff. My coat, hat, and sweater were usually enough, but gloves were needed as I like to keep my hands out if I slip or trip. My balance has not been improved by the brain tumor!
The place looks like an aging Jurassic Park from the first movie. There is a lot of cement and fogged glass. I headed for the warm conservatory, partially underground in a cement bunker- very Jurassic Park! The first glassed-in area contained my favorite, but nothing I grew: Orchids. I know the tribes and wish I was good at houseplants as I would love to grow them. I have killed every last Orchid I have tried to keep. It was nice to see the tribes and so many different ones. My favorite, the slipper orchids, were not there. There was a Miltonia that I loved. I walked through the area multiple times, trying to find orchids and identify their tribes. This is another hobby that I could get back to, but I think for now, I will look at other’s orchids and be envious.
I walk into two young people making out in the desert plants. He was embarrassed she just smiled. I disarmed them by saying something about being careful not to fall into the cactus. They were happy that I pretended not to see. They were the only people I saw in the garden who did not work there. I mentioned the orchids and that I had already seen them. They headed there and were there for a while. No comment.
The desert plants include a frankincense tree that I had not seen before. I also saw a chocolate tree, which was my first. I recognized the leaves as I had seen a version of them in a video game where chocolate is a product you grow in your colony. Strange to see them myself.
The palm tree area was huge, with massive trees and plenty of vertical space left. I walked up the stairs to the look-out section. All cement and glass, and it still reminds me of a particular movie.
The ferns, not an exciting topic, were a grotto with a waterfall, making up for the less interesting topic.
An outdoor pool in the center court was a few feet deep with a giant goldfish and small ones. I used the stepping stones and managed not to fall in. I should have been more careful, but it was fun.
A Japanese garden is also included. I had more difficult stones to walk on; I had to use the grass. I did sit on the dry bench under an excellent roof.
I spoke to the staff. They were removing the covers for frost from the kitchen garden. They grow lots of herbs and spices. Some indoors and some outside. The gardeners told me they have lost their plants, Rosemary, for example, when it gets to 8F (-13C). I was surprised to hear how cold it gets here.
I was cold. I headed to Jardin, the restaurant associated with the Garden, and soon learned it was run by the same chef who runs Tre, where I had lunch yesterday. This time, I picked the fixed-price lunch for $20 and then added bread and dessert (which I brought back boxed for Zorida, who liked the Olive Oil Cake). My waiter was also the bartender, Selinda, and she was studying computer science and mathematics. I told her I was a practitioner, and we discussed her choices. She is interested in security, so I recommended she look at Violet Blue’s newsletter and consider doing an internship at Nike when she is further in her studies. I also shared the URL for my blog with her.
As for lunch, the starter was wonderful, and the next course, a salad, was one of the best chopped salads I have had in a few years. The red onions and tiny sliced peppers seemed to have been soaked just for the right amount of time in an oil-vinger dressing to balance their flavors. The main was a chicken breast grilled and covered with dry Indian-style rub. The sauce was light and covered some of the rice. It was good but maybe too plain for dinner, but very light and perfect for lunch.
Jardin is not open for dinner, just lunch. I thought it was perfect. I did not eat again on Sunday as I had enough food for these two days. Recommended as is Tre, their other place at the art museum.
I missed my turns twice on my way back to Zorida’s place. No matter. I reached her house without issue. The traffic and the Oregon mist made the drive less fun. There was lots of traffic for a Sunday, I thought. Again, I am driving one-handed with one holding my iPhone with directions. I have still not learned the roads here in Texas.
I just read and hung out with Zorida tonight. I needed to write the blog tonight as I am traveling early on Monday.
I received a message from my hotel and confirmed my reservation while at lunch at Jardin, all online. I called them and told them I would be there after 7PM.
Well, that is about the end of today. I will be up early to leave for New Orleans in Air Honda, the Purple SUV.
Thanks for reading.
Alohawild (Michael Wild's) Website 