Monday December 20th

The morning fog was wet and heavy when we got up today.  After coffee, we found a campground and headed west another 20 miles to the Alamo Fiesta RV Resort.  We checked in and went to our site.  Easy to get in and plenty long enough for us to pull in without having to disconnect the trailer.  That is ALWAYS a bonus.  We leveled the coach, hooked up the utilities and took our showers.  By 10:00 we pulled the Smart out of the trailer and were headed into San Antonio.

Once there, we headed straight for the Alamo, and by now the temperature was in the mid 60's and headed for the mid 70's.  The first thing to strike you is of course, the architecture.  Originally established as Spanish Mission, the heavy stone construction and arches are typical of Churches of that period.  But what went on there was a bit different.  I won't go into the history of the place.  If you would like more info, just click on the word Alamo above.  The grounds and site are impeccably maintained and it is FREE to the public to get in.  It is operated by volunteers of the Daughter of the Republic and depends solely on donations and gift shop and audio tour sales.  Nice job ladies!

The previous day, when talking to our Son, he said that when we get there, we should ask about the basement.  When I asked why, he said, just ask someone.  Like a fool I walked up to a guide and stated that we wanted to know about the basement.  He laughed and said, "someone put you up to this, didn't they?"  Seems I had forgotten the scene from Pee Wee's Big Adventure, when he wants to see the basement, because he got a tip that his missing bicycle was being held there.  Click on Pee Wee's Big Adventure above to see more.

We've learned that one of the best ways to get to know a city is with a city tour.  Our favorites are the Trolley Tours available in many locations.  We hopped aboard the trolley after purchasing a two day pass.  The tour allows you to get on and off during the day.  Since it was mid afternoon, we opted to just ride the trolley for the entire loop today and figure where we would like to step off and explore tomorrow.  The tour took us to three different Mission Churches, the Market District, the Alamodome, the Institute of Texan Cultures, and the Tower of the Americas.

We ended the tour back at the Alamo and walked across the street and down the steps to the famed River Walk area.  This is an amazing place.  Water falls, bridges, shops, restaurants, and bars all along a couple miles of meandering sidewalks bordering both side of the San Antonio River.  During our afternoon walk we stopped at Rita's on the River for a couple of frozen Margaritas and chips with salsa.  Excellent drinks and salsa that makes your lips swell to twice their normal size.  Total bill...$6.00!  Having thought our "musical" tour had ended after Memphis' blues and New Orleans' jazz and Zydeco, we were pleased when the Mariachi players stopped at our table to serenade us.

A fairly long walk later, we found ourselves at the Tower of the Americas.  At 750 feet above the city, it's circular observation tower affords you a view for what looks like hundreds of miles in any direction.  The sun was just beginning to set and made for a beautiful sight.  The glass elevator ride is outside the tower, so if you're squeamish about such things, be sure to face the elevator door. 

We walked back to the River Walk area and with the sun now gone, everything was lit with the normal lights from the shops and the additional lights for the holiday.  The trees, bushes, railing and building all had some kind of lights attached to them.  Even the river boats we glowing in red and green. 

Dinner was at a Tex-Mex place on the river and our table was on the railing at the river's edge.  I got the Enchiladas Verde.  An excellent choice served with a green pepper sauce that was very mild and smooth.  Judy got the chicken fajitas.  A ton of grilled chicken and toppings all served on a sizzling plate.

As we walked back to the car to head back to camp, we stopped at the Menger Hotel.  A grand old style souther hotel was beautifully dressed for the holiday.  One of the more famous bars, the Menger Bar, is where Teddy Roosevelt recruited most of the members of his Rough Riders .

Back at camp, little Mia, after more than 10 hours inside was ready to explode.  She went out and did her thing and then off to bed and back to town tomorrow.