Just Chilling In San Antonio (Not)

 The entrance to our Park, Travelers World.

This is the entrance to the River Walk Bike Path right outside the park

Toby and Belle enjoy the water bowls along the path for our four legged friends.

                                                                                                                                                                                We have spent the past few days in San Antonio's Travelers World. The move brought us closer to town and all the bike riding on the River Walk we would want. The sun has been beautiful although the temperatures have been cool, 60's to 70's...delightful. We visited the city and took in the Alamo, Market Square and had lunch at a restaurant on the river called Casa Mia's.

Friends

This city bus bends in the middle to go around corners. Hum!

The signs are great for tourists and make San Antonio sightseeing a breeze.

     

     The River Walk just keeps getting better and is connecting the city from one end to the other. The landscaping and flowers are coming into season and the trees are decorated with twinkle lights that make it like a glittery fairyland when evening falls on the water.

The Water Taxis get people from one end to another and provide a narrative along the way.

Market Square is the Mexican part of downtown and is filled with shops and churches, and every Sunday the street has vendors, music and grills sizzling tasty Gorditos. Can you smell them yet?

This man was just sitting quietly feeding the birds.

Fred and Nancy struck a pose

Nancy and I ran into this cathedral to receive ashes to get Lent off to a start.

     The Alamo, built in 1718, is the largest historical attraction that brings thousands into town. It is solemn to enter the Mission that is one of five in the area, is maintained by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. They have cared for the site since 1905. The grounds are beautiful and docents are available to fill in the history for us.

This side wall is where soldiers lived and fought.

 The well inside the grounds of the Alamo.

     Next we jumped on our bikes and hit the trail. First we visited the Mission San Jose's Visitor Center to watch a movie about the missions. We started peddling  for one of the farthest missions, the Mission San Juan. It is under restoration and was actually going to hold mass for the first time in years on Sunday.

Next time the Mission will probably be covered with stone to look more like the outer buildings.

Another view of the tower and bell.

      We left on our bikes for the next destination, Mission Concepcion.

Nuestra Senora de la Purisima Concepcion

The Altar

Worth the ride.

       From here we jumped back on the bike path and headed back to the final mission, Mission San Jose.

 Waiting for us to catch up!

              Some of the path is not entirely ready for riders but we forged ahead anyway.

       These were some of the wildlife we saw.

    

Any one?

Turtles and Cormorants sunning themselves on a dam wall.

The Mission  San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo

Rose Window shows the craftsmanship of the  Spanish artisans

Heavy Gold Accents

The back of the church and the balcony.

Art work discovered during restorations

      Our journey left us whipped and we enjoyed the evening with a light dinner and a game of Bananas. We planned on laying low the next day. There was laundry to do and sitting in the hot tub between loads.  That evening we drove into town to go for dinner at Rosario's. Bill and I have been there and thought the Perzanowski's would enjoy the Tex Mex Restaurant Bill's brother, John recommended to us on our first visit to San Antonio. The food was delicious. Fred had Tongue. (Yuck) I gave in and tried a bite. It was like biting into a bite of air. Not tough like I thought it would be. Rest assured, there will be no pressure from me to have anyone else try it in the future!(You know who I mean,  you Maternowski girls).

     After dinner we came home, and played a quick game of Racko. Let's just say Fred was not a fan of the game but he toughed it out. 

Breakfast with Fred and Nancy

A few unexpected guests

       Fred and Nancy headed out toward Big Bend, Texas today. We had a great time with them and wish them well on the next part of their journey. It will take them to California, up toward Colorado and then work their way home to Michigan in late April or May.   Good Traveling you two! We had fun.

     We are going to hang here until Tuesday to catch up with those at home. We have a few housekeeping things to do, and calls to make before we head back to Florida to meet Norm. Then, we are off to Big Cypress, the Everglades, the Keys and then up to Port Canaveral for our cruise. Phew, I can't wait.

    Hope all is well with each and everyone of you. I miss you guys. Take care for now.