Monday, December 17, 2018

History, Jalapenos and Painted Piles

December 7-11, 2018
San Antonio, Texas

This hasn't been a season of week-long stops for us, but San Antonio has a lot of places and (as it turns out) people to see. We even end up extending a few days.

Our drive from Corpus Christi is a rainy and dreary 2 hours to a park along the San Antonio River. Referenced by Laurel (Raven and Chickadee), we set up at Traveler's World. With FHUs, open sky for satellite, and clean, level gravel sites, this is a nice park for our stay. Even with a power outage during 30 mph winds we like it here. The only ding are all the bright lights at night, but it's not unusual in an urban park.

Saturday is cold and cloudy, a good day to spend in a heated Jeep while checking out some local history. Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site includes the "Texas White House" on one of nine large ranches owned by Lyndon and Lady Bird Johnson. I laugh at the letters framed at the entrance to the small visitor's center - two from teachers scolding the President! One for use of bad grammar in one of his speeches, and another for fireworks at the ranch when a local troop was having a camping event nearby. 

At 41 degrees it's way too cold to wander around outside so we drive the scenic loop to see what we can see. Due to health and safety "issues", the tour of the home is only the exterior - so nope!

Multi-tasking tower.

A friendly yellow farmhouse peeks out of the gloom.

Closed today, the small farm works the land like they did 100 years ago.

Schoolhouse where the Johnson children attended classes.

Homestead of Samuel Johnson, Lyndon's father.

Moss-covered snake fence blends into the old growth trees.

We never see any of the famous long-horn herd, but there are dozens of deer in the park.

Johnson's Air Force One, a Jet Star, now sits in a hangar near the ranch house. The larger 707 he used for most air travel was too heavy for the small runway on the ranch. 
Lots of beautiful Austin Stone buildings.

Pretty church across the river.
While there is a lot of agriculture and livestock here, there is also a lot of environmental conservation that Johnson made a priority in his ranching. 

Sometimes a burger is an event. That's the case at Alamo Springs Cafe not far from the state park. Quirky interior, fun wait staff, honor-system beverages, and delicious eats - a good option on this cold December day.

The "Cover Burger" (famous for being on a magazine cover) on amazing jalapeno buns. We share a half order of rings.

Sunday we watch our games then head out in the evening to visit a good friend of Bill's and his family. Keith and Michelle came here eight years ago with their two kids, and have just moved into their newly built home. We pick up pizza on the way.

Fluffy Dog Heaven!

Poor Tessa has such a hard time getting comfortable....

Keith and Bill

Keith, Bill and Michelle (and fluffy bomber) 

Sigh..
Keith is working seven days a week with a long commute right now, and we're really happy we got a chance to catch up with them. Such a great family.

Monday is one of the those "sleep-in-and-still-take-a-nap" days with a visit to the historic Alamo in between. Although the site is in the city's downtown, the grounds are lovely, and impeccable restoration means getting to walk through original buildings. There's so much to see for free that we don't bother paying to see the inside of the church. A 17-minute movie does a nice job of covering the 300-year history of the Alamo. The sun comes out and we enjoy a comfortable afternoon, including a short section of the famous River Walk.

The River Walk downtown is a lovely way to see part of the city.

We plan to return and take a boat tour, but never make it back - next time!

Sadly there are several of these dead evergreens along the water.

One of many sad and inspiring places in our country's young history - more than Texans "Remember the Alamo".




The original barracks now house a small museum - note how thick these stone walls are!

Santa Ana refused to allow the Americans a proper burial, and instead had all their bodies burned at the site.
"From the fire that burned their bodies, rose the eternal spirit of sublime heroic sacrifice, which gave birth to an entire state."

Sculptures and engraved names remember the fallen.

 A pretty spot along the river. 
Clouds are back on Tuesday when we explore the King Williams Historic District. There's an informational tour on line with a brief history of the sites (most are on the national historic registry). Tasteful Christmas decor adds to the beauty of these vintage homes.





Need a little project? 
As is often the case for those of us who travel the country full-time, the surprises we find on the way to something planned are every bit as wonderful. I catch a glimpse of some painted piles under a highway bridge and turn around to check it out. I'm so glad I did! I read later that 16 artists are displayed here, each with their own wrap-around mural. They're planning more around the city, and I'll definitely look for them when we return.







Project Sponsor 
We still have a few days of catching up with old and new friends, and more to see in this interesting Southern Texas city.


20 comments:

  1. Love finding art like that, in unique places. I'm thinking San Antonio and the Hill Country would be a great way to spend a month, will have to consider it for our next visit to TX. You guys know folks everywhere.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We'll likely stay in the Hill Country next time and see more of that pretty area. We do find peeps just about everywhere it seems :-))

      Delete
  2. Wonder what is up with the LBJ house--several years ago we took a great tour which included the house. Tessa is such a hoot--wish Emmi was a little more friendly! Loved the street art--what talented people!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I didn't find any details and it was so, so cold to be outside that day.

      The murals are exceptional.

      Delete
  3. I made some notes so we we are back in the area next year we can check out these places! Thanks for the ideas!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There's so much to see in the area, it's a great part of Texas for exploring.

      Delete
  4. The murals are a great find, they add a bit of class to any city that chooses to sponsor street art.
    You two are always so busy when you stop and have friends at each.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We saw more people before we left too :-))

      I'm glad to see more and more urban spaces adding art to their space.

      Delete
  5. Oh, man...that was one of my favorite presidential tours! Hope it’s temporary and you can go back, Jodee.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There were only four cars there with people to take the exterior tour so I'm sure it's hurting their visitation. Didn't look like anyone was doing any work, but maybe it's a new issue?

      Delete
  6. That first picture is a knock out. You should submit it somewhere. So fine! I'm always tired after reading one of your posts. You guys do SO much everywhere you go. Love the under the bridge paintings. What a great idea. More art, everywhere should be every town's motto.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks :-) I didn't see the satellite dish on the windmill until I uploaded the photo, but I love the shot too. It doesn't seem like we do all that much, but we do see some really amazing things everywhere we go.

      Delete
  7. We visited San Antonio years ago on a long weekend get away. We really enjoyed the Riverwalk and the Alamo. So glad you found the art work on the columns. What talented individuals. Looks like Tessa was doing well in the attention category:) Love her photo bombing look:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are several pockets of regentrification throughout the city, but still a lot of poverty. Tessa rarely poses when I want her to - but then she bombs like a pro :-)))

      Delete
  8. I'm so glad the RV park worked out well for you. We love San Antonio, and are definitely planning to return! I'll be looking for those murals. You always discover such interesting things!
    We visited the Texas White House and the Sauer-Beckman Farm when we stayed in Fredericksburg several years ago and found it so fascinating that we went back for a second day. How strange that they wouldn't let you inside of the house. :-(( If you return, you will love seeing the farm, too. Despite things being closed while you were there, your photos are wonderfully atmospheric.
    I believe the brown trees on the San Antonio Riverwalk are bald cypress. They turn brown in winter before they lose their needles. They do look dead, don't they?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you know about the trees!! I was feeling bad about them dieing :-) I was bummed we didn't get to see the sights at LBJ State Park, but it was a nice drive on a cold day.

      Delete
  9. San Antonio seems a real mix of history and progressive ideas like the wonderful murals. You've really documented this city well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. With all the old areas getting an infusion of new life it's a pretty nice city. We like it better than Dallas or Austin. There's even more in the next post :-)))

      Delete
  10. We love San Antonio and would like to go back again. I've not seen the painted underpasses. Very talented and beautiful. I liked your black and whites too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. San Antonio was a lovely surprise. So much more than just the city walk!

      Delete