San Antonio - The Alamo and Riverwalk

Our generator died on day 2 at Big Bend.  The battery was on E so we had to borrow a generator to get the slides in.  Mission accomplished and we are on the road.

A quick stop for Lunch

We don't want to arrive in San Antonio late in the day.  There is an Escapees 1/2 price park 50 miles outside San Antonio so we pull in for the night

 The next morning as we head into San Antonio a convoy of 4 of these monsters came through the other way

 I had called around to all the parks in San Antonio or within 10 miles and they are all booked because the Livestock show and Rodeo are in town as well as it is the Anniversary of the battle of the Alamo.  I locate a small park 15-20 miles south of San Antonio so we head there.  It's clean, quiet and reasonable and only about a 20 minute ride to San Antonio.

We get settled in and head out early to the Alamo.  The Battle of the Alamo was from February 23 - March 6, 1836

 We toured inside but there are no pictures allowed in respect for all the men who died here.

 In spite of it's somber feel, it is a beautiful oasis in the heart of a city

Just as you are wondering how this tree could have survived the Battle, we read the plaque detailing how Walter Whall moved a 40-year-old Live Oak to the Alamo in 1912, proving you CAN move large trees and transplant them successfully.  It is named the Heritage Tree.

 Since it is the anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo there are many costumed in the period clothing for demonstrations and reenactments of the event

 A musket shooting demonstration at the square

Next is the famous River Walk

 Tucson wasn't allowed at the Alamo so we headed back to the truck to get him so we could walk the River Walk with us

Tour boats cruise up and down the River.  The River Walk has 15 continuous linear miles of trail along the San Antonio River with lots of shops and restaurants. 

There are bridges along the way to cross from one side of the river to the other

 The walk is beautifully landscaped as well

 Time for lunch

 A table with a view

 A Texas size burger for Gary

 I had the Chicken Pecan Salad

A great day in San Antonio - tomorrow we tour the Missions

Big Bend final day

Our last day at Big Bend, we decide just to hang out in the campground.

A walk to the Nature Trail

 Starts out promising

 But they did a controlled burn last week

I continue on

and take the River Spur trail

 I come across some ancient Indian grinding holes

 and finally the Rio Grande

 And a bike ride 

 

to check out the RV park (aka parking lot)

and the remains of the Daniel Ranch

A relaxing day but back on the road tomorrow towards San Antonio

Big Bend - Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive

We took the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive to Santa Elena Canyon to Kayak but didn't take the time to stop and see anything so we enjoyed it on the way home.

Castalon Historic District has buildings from an early 1900’s farming community including an old store, troop barracks, and private residences. 

La Harmonia Stores started in the early 1900's is now owned by the Park service and run as a concession

Some of the old farm equipment is on display

 Old Adobe Homes

 The oldest known adobe structure in Big Bend National Park -the Alvino House

 The landscape changes at every turn

 Mules Ear Pass

 The Sam Nail Ranch one of the many homesteads that was once active in Big Bend

 The windmill still pumps water but there are signs saying not to drink as it is not safe

 Remains of an old Adobe house

 We hike back to Waldo - where is Waldo? 

 Almost home

 We are treated to a beautiful sunset when we get home

Tomorrow is our last day before we head towards San Antonio.  We plan on a chill day.