The San Antonio Missions

It is always fun for me to see old historical things,  and the old missions really fit the bill.  And they kind of remind me of old European castles.  Really!  So we went to see several and here they are!

Here is the San Juan mission.

We were surprised to find out that someone, probably the priest, still lives in the house on the left.  Must be a bit rough...

Still a functioning church.

Then below you will see the aquaduct.  I am sure Sarah had a better word for it, but I don't remember it.  This is how the different missions got their water supply, from this.  I kind of have to relate today, as our culinary pipes out by the water meter sprung a leak and we have to have it fixed tomorrow.  Water is coming out from our water main and I am wondering if it is safe to use.  I look at this water and wonder what they thought about it or did about it?

Below, the next mission on our journey back in time:  Mission Espada.

And what mission is complete without it's church.  As you can see by the scaffolding, this one is getting a facelift!

And the next one is Mission San Jose!

And here is another pic of the same mission:

Below you will see a picture of the local bed and breakfast.  You will be staying in the 2nd room from the left.  Be aware, there are no windows...

But the lovely limestone walls are an added attraction and you will see in the next picture that a communal cook stove has been provided with chimney!

Not far from your room is the church, within walking distance!  And a lovely shady spot for your family picnic has been provided!  Enjoy!

A lovely Senorita/Senora is ready for church in the pic below:

And last but not least, one last mission, whose name I have forgotten.  Sarah will know and I will ask her!
But here it is!

that's all for this post.  I still have some more posts that I will put up.  But I have been doing this all day and I am exhausted!

The San Antonio Temple

It's a pretty one in a more modern part of San Antonio.  Sarah knew how to get there and had seen it on an earlier occasion.

Here is a view from the road driving towards it.

Pretty flags flying here.

The Angel Moroni.

Leaving the Temple and on our way to:

The Blanco BBQ for a little Texas BBQ.  It was good, too.

And now we eat, yet again!

Riverwalk

Everyone says that is a great place to go.  And it is.  And it was hot.....
But a very pretty place and there is hardly anyway you can miss it if you are in San Antonio.  Because it wraps all around the city and is very long.  We took both a walk and a boat ride on the rio!

Actually as Jamie and I walked along the path towards the Riverwalk, we either took a wrong turn or something and walked by an area with lots of old historic houses.  We were so thirsty and couldn't find a place to get a drink.  The sun was just baking us alive and there was no shade along this roadway where no cars were.  I guess we were sort of lost, but not for tooooo long.  But we were cooking and ready to have a heat stroke, I think!

The gazebo.

More old renovated houses.

After the blazing heat walk, we found our way to La Villita across the street from the convention center.  Sarah was there at an Alamo meeting and as we waited there it started to rain...alot.  It cooled things down a bit.  Sort of glad we didn't get stuck in the rainstorm because we would have been soaked!  At La Villita we saw lots of Art shops and a lady had pity on our thirsty selves and gave us some bottled water.  Then we went to a nearby bar to sit down in the cool area.  It was also a restaurant and we needed to get out of the sun and cool off.  Really!

And back to the river!

There are always lots of hungry ducks! And other birds, as well.

After the walk, Jamie wanted to go back to the Mexican Market and get a few more things.

OK, this is not in the actual sequence of events, our river "walk" was not directly before the river "ride"  but since it is about the same place I am combining them.

Here we are and it is HOT.

We even get to go through a lock, sort of like when we were at the Erie Canal.
We had a nice time taking the Rio Taxi!  You can buy a 24 hour pass for this one!

It comes about every 30 minutes.

And the ducks are even looking for a little shade...

This long-leggedy guy is a new bird for me!

And a "little" lunch on the river.  Some southern BBQ.

Mi Tierra Cafe-San Antonio

Jamie and I just got back yesterday from San Antonio.  We were there from Tuesday till Sunday.  We stayed with a friend in Alamo Heights.  It's 7 minutes from the airport.  We started out on a delayed flight due to a problem with the tire.  So we got a little late start, and the flight had  a few more bumps than the return and Jamie thought the pilot we had coming back was a better "flyer".   But here we are on the first day.  Being as we were hungry, we went to the Mi Tierra Cafe and guess what ???  It is the same place that we went when I went 7 years ago with my mom and grandson, Tyson.  Ah, history repeats itself.  It was a very decorated place.  If you have been there, you won't forget about it soon.  And the food and atmosphere are fun.

Here is Jamie standing out in front of the restaurant.

I am sure my mom remembers this decorated restaurant.

Nummy chicken salad.  Jamie is still waiting...

Jamie has something called flautas and beans, etc.

More decor.

Jamie poses for the artist who is painting murals at the restaurant.  Doesn't she make a good model for Eva Longoria???

Here is the artist working on his mural.  A continuing project for many years.

Sonja and Jamie 

There's always room for Jello...or dessert!

And there was quite a few to choose from.  We had an apple something or other.  Kind of like a turnover.

Here is the outside of the restaurant, and on the left side is the Mexican Market!

Yes, we spent some money here, and elsewhere, too...

Here is some of the damage to  my pocketbook...sigh...