Day 29
Visited the Spanish Governors Palace which was neither a palace nor a governor’s house. Built in 1749, it housed the Captain of the Presidio. The Spanish built presidios to guard against further advancing by the French and to protect the Missions. The building was reconstructed and rooms added in 1930. That’s conservation in 1930, preserving the past by modifying it. Lunch at Commonwealth Café & Bakery for a light bite and delicious croissants. Not too far away was the North Star Mall which Rosemary wanted to go to get more tea filters at Teavana. I did not object since that gave me a chance to see the largest pair of boots in the world which are at the mall.
May 28, 2015, Thursday, San Antonio, TX
Day 28
Today we were on a mission. Four missions to be exact. We visited each of the Missions of San Antonio. The four and the Alamo comprise a National Historical Park. The four are Concepcion, San Jose, San Juan and Espada. Espada is the oldest established in 1690. The Missions were complete villages that the Spanish set up to solidify its claim to the new world and to convert the natives to Catholicism. Each, except the Alamo, still contain an active church. Then Dinner at Rosario’s, a delicious TexMex place in Southtown. Tres Gorditas appetizer was a good start followed by chicken with a great mole sauce and an even better second sauce of cilantro, pumpkin seed and cheese, a dish of lengua (beef tongue) with a tomato type sauce similar to a ropa vieja and lastly, cheese enchiladas with charro beans. After supper we visit the McNay Art Museum which is open until 9 pm on Thursdays and which unexpectedly was free the day we went. The museum is housed in the former residence of the McNays. The house is a piece or art by itself. Concluded a full day with a trip to Mi Tierra Panaderia (bakery) for a mango empanada and Calabaza (a candied pumpkin slice). No wonder my “baby bump” seems to be getting bigger!
May 27, 2015, Wednesday, San Antonio, TX
Day 27
Depart Austin in the rain which puts a damper (literally) on dumping and unhooking the utilities while hooking up the car. Two hour drive to the Travelers World Carefree RV Resort in San Antonio. After lunch we visit the Mission San Antonio de Valero now known as the Alamo. The visit included a lecture on the history of the Mission which refreshed our memories that the battle fought in 1836 at the Alamo was a battle of the Mexican state of Texas seeking independence from Mexico. It is not U.S. history. Independence was won about 6 weeks after the Alamo slaughter when General Sam Houston defeated Santa Anna. Texas did not become a U.S. state until 1846. Next was a trip up the Tower of Americas, an observation deck 750 feet high built for the 1968 World’s Fair. A great view provided a good orientation of the city. A walk along the Riverwalk was pretty neat as the Riverwalk is about 20 feet below street level. People and restaurants everywhere but none fitting Aaron’s criteria. After walking all day, we walked another mile to Southtown (of course the opposite direction of where we parked the car) and finally arrive at the Hot Joy restaurant (Asian fusion). Supper was fantastic, brussel sprouts with sweet chili sauce, tater tot chaat with paneer and a tamarind sauce, lamb dan dan noodles with cotija cheese and szechuan sauce, and Cheese Ramen with chicken, guajillo miso, dollop of sour cream and tonkatsu broth and served with tortillas and lime. Tempted to go there again but many other places to try. 30 minute walk back to the car meant no trouble falling asleep that night.
May 26, 2015, Tuesday, Austin, TX
Day 26
No rain today made for a pleasant visit to the Zilker Botanical Gardens. However, the gardens definitely showed some scars from yesterday’s storm. Lunchtime is a trip to the original Whole Foods in downtown. An incredible store which may be larger than any Super Walmart. In addition to groceries with many free samples, many food stations to eat at including Asian, Mexican, Italian, BBQ, Vegetarian, etc. Aaron and I split a bison taco and a goat cheese, pesto and sun dried tomato calzone. Rosemary had Asian, what a surprise. Afternoon was spent at the Blanton Museum of Art on the UT campus. Supper was spent with Joanne at the Iron Cactus which included a Convict Hill Oatmeal Stout by the Independence Brewery Company of Austin, a perfect accompaniment to our TexMex supper.
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