"Remember the Alamo"

On our way to Corpus Christi we went around the city of San Antonio but we always planned to return and we are glad we did. San Antonio would be one of the most beautiful cities we have come across and we wished we had more time there but our time was limited so what to see? Firstly we found a KOA park which was only 7 miles from the city centre and a bus ran from right out the front to downtown - an ideal location.

All set up


On check in we were informed that they book organised tours to see the sights so we booked a full day tour for the following day. We went about the usual routine of setting up our site, no big problems these days, we have our routine and can do it in about 20 minutes. Most times when we find a park and we inform them we have a 40 foot trailer they give us what is termed a "pull through" site which is exactly what it means, you just pull your rig straight in no backing. We are not afraid of back in sites but pull through s can be an advantage with limited roadways in parks. For the convenience some parks charge extra to have a pull through site.

The next morning we were up nice and early to wait the arrival of our tour bus. We were given the usual instructions to be 15 mins early and I added my usual extra 5 mins on that. However all that planning and 'timeliness' was wasted - we waited and waited and waited! 45 mins later our bus finally arrived with apologies from the driver. Not an ideal start!

First stop was the sunken Japanese gardens which are located in an old disused quarry. Very peaceful. We were then driven through the local park where, come thanksgiving, people actually camp out to reserve a table! Tables are numbered and some families have sat at the same picnic table for generations! Now that is keen!

The Japanese Sunken Gardens


Our next stop was downtown to the River-walk. The River Walk is built around the river with waterways and canals which meander through the city. The river is lined with restaurants and cafes. We boarded a boat and sailed through the city with our guide providing us with all the historical information on the city and how the River-walk came into existence. The river walk would have to be one of the most pleasant downtown areas we have seen in a city anywhere - very clean and safe.

The River-walk in San Antonio








Next stop was the Texas Ranger museum which is housed in a large saloon which still has a bar and serves meals. As we entered the barman advised that we could purchase a drink and take it in the museum. In true Aussie fashion I was the only one to grab a beer!. The museum houses a huge collection of stuffed wild animals as well as a history of the Texas Rangers, not enough time to read all the information but it was great none the less. It also high lights some of the "carnival" type shows that existed around the time that Texas was a wilderness state.

The Saloon Bar at the Texas Ranger Museum


Me being sworn in as an Texas Ranger (replaced rifle with beer)


A happy moose?


The highlight of the city tour. and only because we all grew up with the movie, was "The Alamo". I had no idea that Texas has had six flags fly over it, which means that it has been ruled by six different governments until the present day where it's part of the United States. The battle that took place at the Alamo was against the Mexican army. The building sits amid many modern buildings right in the centre of town. it was hard to imagine it sitting all by itself in the desert as the battle raged around it. Both Jim Bowie and Davey Crocket lost their lives in this battle.

The Alamo


We also visited two old missions and this also changed what I "thought" I knew. I thought the missions were just that missions but in fact they were built as forts and places of safety for the local people including the Indians as the Spanish attempted to convert them to Catholics. The Spanish government provided money and troops to the church to build the "missions". The church was happy as they had a whole new flock of people to convert and the Spanish government was happy as this gave them a presence in the country to ward off the many other nations attempting to conquer the world. Texas was a very remote place back then and the people who endured the harsh country must have been truly amazing.

The Mission as it stands today








Back to the van park around 5.00 and agreed that the tour was a great way to see all the highlights that this beautiful city has to offer.


- Posted by RnR on their IPad

Location:San Antonio Texas