San Antonio - December 2022

It's usually "Pushy Paula" that rounds up a bunch of us to take a trip but this time it was Mimi.  So Paula and I joined Mimi and Tom along with two of her sisters - Margie and Joanie with their husbands. Our 8 enrolled in one of the Road Scholar (used to be called Elderhostal) trips called " The Holiday Season in San Antonio: Lighting up the River Walk ".  It was a 4 day, 5 night experience. They provided great lectures and interesting walks and tours.  If you would like to just see the photos and not bother reading the narrative - (That I will finish later - honest) - use this link. https://www.flickr.com/photos/katiea48/albums/72177720304522727/

Sunday - arrival and instructions and introductions. We were housed at the Drury Plaza Hotel which has a unique history. San Antonio seems to have a VERY strong preservation commitee because you will see a lot of old buildings that have been converted and/or moved into other areas and uses - our hotel used to be the Alamo National Bank  . Our room was a very large and comfortable corner room with a great view of the city. 

Alamo Stained Glass 

Monday - free hot hotel breakfast (same every day - pancakes, eggs, yogurt, cereal, fruit, bagels or toast, sausage, oatmeal - you get the idea) then attend a 90 min lecture at 8:15. Professor Allen Hamilton about the history of Texas. 6 different flags have flown over the Texas area - Spanish, France, Mexico, Texas, Confederate, then the American Flag. 

After the lecture we met up with a different guide ( retired architech ) who walked us around the area. First was the San Fernando Cathedral, built in the mid 1700 - one of the oldest churches in America by Spaniards from the Canary Islands. It is the burial place of of the ashes of Crockett, Bowie and Travis. 

 Then we walked to the Menger Hotel - which at one point in time housed Teddy Roosevelt, Sydney Lanier ( GA poet ) and Bill Clinton (he liked the Mango ice cream). This is where we ate a delicous lunch. 

Texas style decorated tree

lots of Live oaks and Pecan trees

The Alamo - was initially a Spanish Colonial Mission 

There were total of 5 along the San Antonio River 

We walked back to the hotel for a brief rest.  We were scheduled for a river walk boat ride that evening so we quickly took an Uber to a great Mexican Restaurant (Paloma Blanca- recommended by Jay T) with great marquritas and quac - made right at the table. 

Returned to the hotel by Uber again -- both were great drivers and friendly. Took our boat ride - learned some history on how the riverwalk was developed by R.H. Hugman.  Because of a bad flood in 1921 city officials decided to construct a damn and pave over the river - but with funding from the WPA and the very strong "San Antonio Conservation Society. The riverwalk was born - Hugman designed not only the paths but what would be included on the walk.