San Antonio, September 2013

When we arrived in San Antonio for Doug’s annual conference, we headed directly to our hotel, the  Marriott Riverwalk.  Once we checked in and got settled we decided to walk down to the River Walk, which was next to our hotel.   The River Walk was created in 1939 as part of the Roosevelt administration and the Work Progress Administration (WPA) in order to give public works jobs to unemployed people.  It is a beautiful endeavor, stretching several miles winding through downtown San Antonio.  There are restaurants and shops all along the River Walk, waterfalls, art statues, etc.  There are many areas where there is street access so in some cases it may be a short cut to where you are planning to go.  There are narrated boat tours and even water taxis that get you to the different spots along the river.

Since we didn't start our walk until around 2pm it was very hot as we walked along the river .  We decided to stop at Café Ole restaurant for guacamole and chips and drinks to cool off.  It was refreshing and fun to sit outdoors on the rivers edge.  Afterward we walked a little more but it was just too hot.

We decided to go back to hotel and I went down to the pool.  The pool was indoor/outdoor which was nice.  The water temperature was a little warm, but not uncomfortable.  There was a little area with shade outside so I sat there for a while then moved indoors.  Inside was a large atrium area with some ping pong tables as well as several lounge chairs.  It was a great space to relax, read and just enjoy some downtime.

That evening we went with Stefan (a colleague) to the CountyLine for dinner.  The County Line is a BBQ restaurant and Texas is known for their BBQs.  We had been given the name from the concierge and told it was great.  It had cooled down a little so it was  a pleasant walk down the River Walk to the restaurant.  Our meals were plentiful but none of us were impressed.  I had BBQ turkey which was good and I had never had before.  But for being solely a BBQ place we didn’t think it was anything special.  Maybe more for the ambiance of being on the River Walk.

On Tuesday Doug went to a business meeting so I walked over to the Alamo which was a few blocks from the hotel.  It was early enough that it wasn’t too hot.  On the way I walked through the Rivercenter Mall which was across from the hotel and the most direct route to the Alamo.  As I was walking through the mall I went into the Imax Theatre area and decided to buy a pass for the Hop on – Hop Off Trolley, which included one Imax movie and one boat ride on the River Walk.  I elected to see the 3D movie “Tornado Alley” and planned on coming back after my Alamo visit.

There is so much of our nation’s history at the Alamo.  I did an audio tour which gave me a lot of information about the battle that was held there.  Several of the existing buildings are still standing. I learned so much about the history and people who fought for our country there.

I headed back to the Imax theatre and watched my “free” movie, then stopped for a bite to eat before heading back to the hotel.  Once there I headed to the pool for some downtime while Doug was working.  The day before the pool had been warm but not uncomfortable.  Today the pool was actually hot and felt more like a hot tub than a pool. The hoses that bring water into the pool were actually pouring in hot water.  Since it was close to 100 outside I mostly stayed in the atrium area and only dipped in the pool a couple times for a short while.  It was weird that it was so hot but there wasn’t really anyone available to mention it to.

For dinner we once again went with Stefan, this time to Casa Rio, a Mexican restaurant on the River Walk.  Once again the ambiance was nice, but none of us were impressed with the food.  We all agreed that the River Walk restaurants for the most part were overpriced and more about the location.

Wednesday while Doug was at his conference I walked over to catch the Trolley for my “hop on- hop off” tour.  Our driver was very informative and fun to listen to as he told us about the different stops we passed along the way and a little history of the town.  Although I could have gotten off at any of the stops I stayed on until we reached the Mission SanJose.  This Mission was founded in 1797 and was one of many that were founded to secure Spain's claim to this land and to teach the native people Christianity and the Spanish way of life.

Back on the Trolley with a different driver, then next stop that I got off was the Market Square which was a historic area similar to all of the Mexican markets we go to with crafts, food etc. 

Once we were back at the beginning of our tour I headed back to the hotel, then down to the pool.  Once again the water was “hot”.  I actually found someone to mention it to but his response was that the pool is kept at 85 degrees.  It was more like 100 +.  I spent time in the atrium reading for a few hours before heading upstairs.

Wednesday evening for dinner we were invited to the Iron Cactus for dinner, sponsored by one of the vendors that Doug does business with.  We had a wonderful Mexican dinner and enjoyed our time with other colleagues.  Walking back late at night it was still quite warm.  We could have walked the River Walk but opted to walk along the streets, which was a nice walk.

Thursday while Doug was working I went down to the River Walk to take my “free” boat ride.  It was shortly before 10am so it wasn’t too warm.  Our guide was fun and he pointed out a lot of information about the River Walk, the history and many of the buildings that are along the way. 

After the boat ride I walked over to the Tower of theAmericas.  It looked very much like the Space Needle, even had an observation deck and a restaurant.  It was built for the 1968 Worlds Fair which was 6 years after the Space Needle was built for the 1962 Worlds Fair.  San Antonio is quite flat with a lot of industrial buildings so the view wasn’t spectacular but it still was fun to go to the top.  Included in the ticket was entry to Skies Over Texas: 4D Theater Ride on the main floor which was a fun experience.  As you are watching the movie it is as if you were riding over and through the town, river and skies above San Antonio.  The chairs rocked and moved at the appropriate time, and there were other special effects like “hissing” on your neck when we came upon a rattler and “spraying” when near the waves. 

I walked over to La Villita,  (little village) to look around.  It consists of several houses that have been converted to shops, etc.   It was a short walk from there to the hotel, then down to the pool for my afternoon downtime. 

That evening there was a conference event that I was invited to.  The “cowboy roundup”.  Several people came with cowboy or plaid shirts, boots, bandanas, etc.   It was held on the river on the back side of the hotel.  Catered food and several entertainment options.   There was a mechanical bull with a calf on a track in front.  The idea was to ride the bull the moved forward on the track with the calf, and try to lasso the calf at the same time.  They also had a “shoot out” where two people stood opposite each other and drew there pistols on signal.  A laser recorded the speed which identified the winner.   Tables were set up for Poker and Blackjack and a there was a Craps table too.  It was a fun event for everyone.

Friday morning was our first morning that we were free with no scheduled plans.  We had prearranged to pick up a car at the Marriott Rivercenter.   We got the car and drove north to the town of Johnson City.  We stopped for lunch at Ronnie’s BBQ. We were hoping for the really “dive” dining experience which this turned out to be.  Love the little “hole in the wall” places.  I had bbq turkey and I thought it was great. Doug reached for the hotter bbq sauce to put on his food and as he was squirting it out it sprayed all over his shirt!  Well, we were at the beginning of our journey so that was not going to work.  Fortunately they sold t-shirts advertising their place.  Doug mentioned to them that it was a great way to sell their t-shirts!

On the road again we went to the visitor center at Johnson City to arrange a tour of the LBJ Ranch.  There were several buildings right in town that were historic including LBJs childhood home, etc.

The LBJ Ranch was where President Johnson and Ladybird both lived, and even served as the “2^nd white house” during his presidency.  They both passed away there and after they did several acres were donated to the National Parks.  We were able to take an audio tour of the ranch, then at the end we came to their home.  Next to their home was a airplane hangar and the actual jet the LBJ flew in back and forth between his ranch and the White House.  Their house is included in the tour and was interesting to see.  The rooms were set up and decorated as they would have been as they lived there.  The first room was his “office” where many days were spent working when he was there instead of Washington.   The living room had 3 old style TVs lined up side by side.  LBJ was known for watching all 3 networks at the same time.  We saw the bedroom where he awoke to having a heart attack, called his security and collapsed and died on the floor next to the bed.  Ladybird’s closet had many of her clothes hanging neatly. 

Outside there was a giant oak tree on the banks of the river running below the house.  Many dignitaries were treated to his famous BBQs outside in the shade of the tree, and the banks of the river.

After leaving the ranch we drove to the German town of Fredricksburg, however shops were closing for the day so we just spent a few minutes exploring before we headed back to SA.

We turned the car in so as not to pay the fee for parking for the night, then took a walk to the Joe's Crab Shack for dinner.  Although this is a chain restaurant we have only been one other time several years ago.  This turned out to be one of the best meals of our trip.  It was still so warm out but a pleasant walk.

Saturday, our last day.  I was ready to stay indoors. Doug had not yet seen the Alamo or a few of the other parts of town.  He wanted to take pictures so we decided to do our own thing and meet at the hotel about 4pm for our trip to the airport and flight home.

I walked over to the mall, had a bite to eat then went to see a movie (Prisoners).  Back at the hotel we got a ride to the airport and left town.   Although I liked exploring a new place, learning the history of the area, it was just too hot to be comfortable.  I wouldn’t mind if we didn’t go there again, unless we can find a cooler time of year.