Thursday-April 18, 2013
Well, we were "up and at'em" this morning anxious to get on the road as we had about 300 miles to travel today. By 9:00 we were on I-10 heading for the big state of Texas!!! Crossing the state line soon after we started!
I about had a fit when I saw the first mileage sign , El Paso 879 MILES!!! Holy Cow, this is a big state!!! Not only is it a big state, it's also got some big winds!! We were rolling down the road like a tumbleweed!! Being blown all over the highway while tractor trailers were passing us left and right. Got some rain and the temperature dropped like a rock. Dennis did a great job though of keeping Buttercup on the road while I had a "death grip" on the handle beside my seat!! Finally, we rolled into San Antonio about 3:30.
Staying at Travelers World, just a few miles from downtown. What a great campground. You will see as we progress in our blog and show and tell what all they have to offer.
As luck would have it, good luck that is, it is another festival time that we have come upon. Yes, it is the San Antonio 2013 Fiesta. Another downtown block party that started 122 years ago commemorating the battles of the Alamo and San Jacinto. It last 11 days but we won't be here that long. So with the start of the big party yesterday we went downtown after supper to see what we could see.
Party city for sure. They must have had a contest for hats with flowers and decorations of all kinds. They were a site to see. Took some pictures and listen to the band play a few songs.
Robin fits right in with this crowd of party goers!
Dennis listening to the band.
Did some window shopping, the best kind for Dennis, and ventured around and found different parts of the Riverwalk. It was about 8:45, well past our time to be out in a strange city not knowing which end was up, but we stayed for a little while because they began shooting off fireworks. Robin jumped a little, almost like Rick Patino did after Louisville won the nationa lchampionship basketball game when he was shaking hands with Coach Belien from Michigan. If you missed that, they had popped the graffiti things when he was shaking hands and they sounded just like a gun.
Well anyway back to the party and off the ESPN news coverage. We were having a fun evening in downtown. Getting cool, could be a record breaking temperature tonight so we headed back to the campground to snuggle up and get a good night sleep. We want to spend all day downtown tomorrow. So night night and don't let the bed bugs bite.
Robin and Dennis
Friday April 19, 2013
Our first full day in San Antonio was certainly a busy one!! Up early to go the Lackland Air Force Base for a Military Parade of the graduates that was advertised as one of the Fiesta events. However, we get all the way down there to find out that we were not "authorized" to attend. Couldn't think of anyone we knew who could pull any strings, so after taking a few pictures through the fence, we were on our way back home. Even the guard at the gate, who was from Roanoke wouldn't let us in.
Then we re-grouped and hopped in the car to head for downtown San Antonio. What a great city!! Got there about 11:00a.m. - no free spot today, but found a place for only $3.00 that covered all day. The weather couldn't have been better. Around 70 and not a cloud in the sky. Started walking towards the cities highlight, the Riverwalk. Got tickets for a boat ride and away we went. Beautiful scenery - huge cypress trees, flowers, shrubs, hotels, restaurants, bridges, walkways, ducks, birds, big buildings, waterfalls and on and on and on!!!! It was something to see!! Had always heard how nice it was and it definitely lived up to its reputation!
From the boat ride got some lunch at the Ole Cafe on the Riverwalk.
Then headed toward The Alamo to check that out. Free to get in which was nice!! Got to tour inside and see the grounds surrounding the area. Saw some items that belonged to Davy Crockett (king of the wild frontier as you know :)). Couldn't take pictures inside so we caught this cowgirl outside.
Also saw the San Fernando Cathedral where he was buried.
After that walked down to the Market Square that had a wide mix of people. Bands were playing, food vendors and we never saw so much stuff for sale in all our life!! Everything from A to Z - mostly things made in Mexico. Saw a Mexican girl singing in a pretty long dress on stage.
Then saw some "interesting" folks out in the street dancing. By then we were ready to head back up to the Riverwalk area.
Getting hungry as we had a light lunch, so decided to eat at the County Line BBQ restaurant on the Riverwalk. Got a great table right by the water. Ordered a couple of beers (I got a Texas brew called Shiner Bock - was good), and we got a free appetizer of smoked sausage with a coupon from the campground. Thanks Travelers World!! And boy, you should have seen the size of the rack of ribs they brought to our table. They say things are bigger in Texas :)). Mmmm!!
You would think we'd be full, but no, we head to Ben & Jerry's for ice cream!!! Thanks again to a coupon for buy one get one free from our campground!! From there we head to the Harley Davidson store to look around. By then we had been walking around about 7 hours and were about to drop, but we keep going. Went over to Rivercenter Mall to check that out and that was it!! It was all we could do to get back to the car and get back to Buttercup. Our little "doggies" are hurting tonight!! But I'm sure we'll be raring to go tomorrow morning.
Was so glad to hear when we returned home that the situation in Boston had been resolved. They have certainly been through an awful experience. Hope everybody is doing well. We love and miss you all!! Let us hear from you. Later......
Robin & Dennis
Saturday April 20, 2013
After an exhausting day on Friday we slept in a little, not a whole lot but just enough to regroup and head out for another exciting day. We got out our motorcycle gear and climbed on the Harley and went to see one of the mission's near San Antonio. The name of the mission is San Jose and it was only a couple of miles away so we were there in no time. It actually is maintained by the national park service. We were able to see a movie and then tagged along on a tour of the facility. A lot of the mission had been restored but there were several parts that were original.
Filled up the motorcycle with gas because we wanted to ride into town after lunch. Robin fixed our usual motor home lunch, ham and cheese sandwich and some chips.
We were then off on the motorcycle back in to town for some more sightseeing, Even though we filled up the bike with gas, San Antonio's downtown is only 5-6 miles away. Again a great location for our campground. Our first stop in town today was a visit to the the Tower of the Americas. It was 75 stories high and what a view of the city.
Along with our ticket $7.95, senior citizen rate and a $2 discount for a coupon found in the fiesta booklet, a 4 D movie was included with our ride to the top. The movie was cool. It showed us what Texas was all about. The chairs even moved when we were riding the bulls at the rodeo and water was sprayed on us at the waterfalls. It really was a 4D movie with interaction from the seats. Really well done. Sorry no pictures of this, it was against all movie policies.
We were a little thirsty now and it must be 5 o'clock some where so we went back to a wine shop we saw yesterday and got a raspberry smoothie and a orange smoothie. You ask why did you go to a wine shop to get a smoothie. Simple answer here folks, the smoothies had wine in them. Pretty good on a warm day for sure.
Took this picture after the wine, it was one of those mirrors that make you look funny, so you have to decide, was it the mirror or the wine.
I saw a shop next door to the wine shop that I wanted to go in so Robin said okay. It was a specialty shop that I will have to practice with the items I purchased before I can reveal anything to all of you. I hope this will work down the road but for now you will just have to keep wondering what it is. Feel free to guess, Chad and Scott might know because they know I have a passion but weakness for this!!!!!!.
We headed to a place that Robin saw the first day on our riverboat cruise. It was called La Villita at the Riverwalk. It was a whole section of novelty, gift, art work, and trinkets shops that hardly anyone was around. So I think we found a hidden secret. Robin had been looking for a cowgirl hat and finally found one.
We were finished our shopping and walked back where the bike was parked. Oh my, we have an experience here! We were getting on our bike and another bike rolled up and said, "you leaving". You think my beard and bandanna is striking, wait until you see "DOC". Yep that was his name and he lives in Bandera, Texas. Its where the bikers and the cowboys are one big happy family.
Look closely at the picture, he is standing next to his Harley, one of three that he told us about. He has two 6 shooters in his holster, a badge on his chest and hat, and a handcuff earring. "Doc" was truly a good ole boy from Texas. What a way to end our day! Maybe, maybe not!
On the way back to the campground we decided to try out a bike trail that we had noticed yesterday when we went into town. Little did we know that this trail went all the back into town. It was breath taking. A great experience for us. Our neighbors, Ken and Deana, bicycle expert riders, oh yeah Tom and Peggy are also experts in riding, would be very proud of us. The ride was about 12 miles round trip into town along the river. Take a look at these pictures, it was amazing that a city put a financial commitment to this. It was awesome.
Now you know why we would recommend the campground to anyone camping. Bike trail, 5 miles from downtown, close to a mission, a golf course (18hole and a 9 hole course), a pool, game room, and a beautiful spot for the camper. All for $36 dollars a night.
It doesn't get any better or does it, only time will tell on this adventure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dennis and Robin
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