A Day In San Antonio

San Antonio is a great tourist city. There is a lot to do here and we had a lot of fun doing it. We started at the Alamo, "Remember the Alamo" became the U.S. military's fighting statement. There was a battle at the Alamo that started March 6, 1836 and lasted 13 days. 200 Texans held the Alamo fron over 1000 of Genreal Santa Anna's troops. William Travis, Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett would die fighting overwhelming odds for freedom.
This year is the 175th Anniversary of the Alamo. The Alamo is smaller than I expected but that seems to be a common opinion of many who visit it. It is a chilling experience walking around the historic grounds, seeing the structures, the artifacts and trying to imagine the battle. This battle was the beginning of Texas obtaining their freedom. One small drawback, the staff at the Alamo are unfriendly, rude and act like you are intruding on their territory. I felt like I was one of Santa Anna's troops. Putting the staff aside, it is a must see when in San Antonio.
After we left the Alamo we walked to the Riverwalk. I had heard how wonderful the Riverwalk was and I agree, it is! The Riverwalk was built for flood controls after a disastrous flood in 1921. The Riverwalk is a network of walkways along the the banks of the San Antonio river. It is located one story below the downtown level. At first the city fought the idea of creating such an area but started it anyway in 1929. In 1938 they received funding and the WPA came in and built 17,000 feet of walkways and 20 bridges. It has grown through the decades to become the place to play in San Antonio with over 50 restaurants, a shopping mall, live music, theaters and art museums. It is dog friendly too!
We had lunch at Cafe Ole' (TexMex) and enjoyed our lunch at a table along the riverfront. We then took the riverboat ride where we toured the riverwalk and heard its history. It was 105 degrees yesterday but down at the Riverwalk it did not feel that way with the shade, river and breeze. It is beautiful and a must see and do when in San Antonio.
We then headed to the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum. It is the oldest and longest running saloon in Texas opening in 1881. It is big and its decor it mounted animal heads through out the saloon and on the outside of the building. It has a huge bar (like the ones you see in western movies)with the movie type bartender and of course the saloon ladies.
We had a wonderful day in San Antonio and did not get to half of what we had planned but enjoyed what we did see and do. There is so much more to see and do in San Antonio but it will have to wait for another day. We wiil return!